Alternative approaches to prison for mothers of young children

England and Wales has the highest incarceration rate in Europe and approximately 11,000 women receive a custodial sentence each year. Sixty-six per cent of women in prison are mothers of children under 18, and most women are separated from their children whilst in prison. This negatively impacts the mental health of women and children, contributes to future re-offending, and has significant social costs. Mothers and pregnant women in prison experience high levels of mental disorder, and separation can exacerbate this. The current system damages vulnerable women and children, and perpetuates the cycle of crime and mental disorder. Other countries have different approaches to pregnant women and mothers involved in the criminal justice system (CJS), in both sentencing and treatment, and this Fellowship explored some of these alternatives.

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