Children In Prison

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asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children imprisoned with their mothers have been allowed out for visits to relatives; and on how many occasions, in the last year for which figures are available;(2) how many requests have been made for children imprisoned with their mothers to be allowed out to visit their relatives; how many were refused; and for what reason.

No children are imprisoned.In 1975, two women who have their children with them in prison were granted one day's temporary release to visit their parents with their child. In addition, four mothers took their children with them on home leave. There were no requests for a child to be allowed to visit relatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of mothers and children at present in Holloway Prison; and what are the ages of the children;(2) what was the age and offence of those women imprisoned with their babies; how many other children each of the women have; and who is looking after them.

On 21st January 1976 there were six mothers and six children in Holloway Prison. The children were aged between two months and nine months. Of the six mothers, two were under 21 and the others were aged between 21 and 27. Their principal offences were theft (3), illegal importation of drugs (2) and robbery (1). Four of these mothers have no other children. One has six other children, of whom five are in the care of a local authority and one is being looked after by the mother's parents. One mother has three other children, all of whom are being cared for by her parents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any mother imprisoned with her child has been parted from it on the grounds of age, or for other reasons, in the last year for which figures are available.

In 1975, 13 children were parted from their mothers in custody. Of these:

(a) six were either taken into care or looked after by relatives after their mothers had abandoned the children by absconding from custody;

(b) three were transferred to the care of relatives at the mothers' request;

(c) two went to live with their father because the governor had received medical advice to the effect that their mothers were not able to care for them;

(d) one was taken into care by a local authority (reason as in (c));

(e) one was taken into care by a local authority because it had reached the age (12 months) at which the mother and baby unit was no longer able to make satisfactory provision.

Volume 904: debated on Tuesday 27 January 1976