A National 1001 Days Pathway for Pregnant Women and Mothers on Release from Prison: Closing the Release Gap

This policy brief from the University of Hertfordshire’s Lost Mothers Project calls for a national 1001 Days pathway to support pregnant women and mothers of babies under two across the Criminal Justice System. Drawing on extensive lived‑experience testimony and new evidence, it highlights the severe “release gap” where women are discharged into homelessness, instability and fragmented services, leading to avoidable separation, relapse, mental health crisis and recall. The briefing shows how the first 1001 days – a critical developmental window – are routinely disrupted by inadequate pre‑release planning, lack of safe accommodation, inconsistent care, and limited specialist support. It proposes a co‑produced, end‑to‑end pathway spanning police, courts, prisons, probation and community services, with trauma‑informed practice, mandatory training, continuity of care, clear governance, and specialist through‑the‑gate provision. The report argues that urgent national action is needed to protect mother‑baby relationships, reduce harm, and close the release gap.

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