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Women Prisoners (Maternity Cases)

Volume 390: debated on Thursday 3 June 1943

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asked the Home Secretary the number of women prisoners received in the prisons of England and Wales during 1942; the number who were pregnant; the number of babies born in prisons; and the number of mothers whose young babies accompanied them into the prisons?

7,311 women prisoners were received in prisons in England and Wales during 1942. I have asked for a report on the number of babies born in prison and will send the figures to my hon. Friend as soon as they are received. I regret that separate statistics are not available showing the number of women who are pregnant or who are accompanied by young babies on reception into prison, and to obtain them would entail a special examination of prison records which I do not consider would be justified in present circumstances.