Pregnant in Prison Ordeal: ‘Baby Death Fears, Inconvenient Treatment’

Pregnant prisoners increased by 36% since last year. Suzy was in prison awaiting trial, where she discovered she was pregnant. Suzy was later found to be innocent of her crime. Last year, over 200 pregnant women were in prison in England and Wales. One in three were awaiting trial and had not been found guilty.

Ministry of Justice data is concerning, revealing that stillbirth is seven times more likely for pregnant prisoners, and premature birth is twice as likely. Suzy needed medical help but faced difficulties. One day, she felt severe pain, worrying for her unborn child’s life, and had to beg for proper treatment.

Suzy said prison felt unsafe. She told officers she felt unwell, but they debated before taking her to the hospital. Suzy was shocked by their priorities, as staff availability mattered more than her needs.

Going to A&E required two officers. They had to find willing officers, she said. When they took her, she faced security checks, including patting down and handcuffing, while in pain. Officers grumbled about working overtime.

After hours in A&E, help wasn’t available because the hospital had no early pregnancy unit. Suzy had to wait until the next week. Officers took a defeated Suzy back to prison. One officer said, “Maybe it’s for the best.” Suzy broke down in tears.

Suzy was devastated by the officer’s comment. She didn’t know her baby’s condition. Being told it was better to miscarry hurt. Back in her cell, she cried herself to sleep, fearing she had lost her baby. Thankfully, her baby was okay in the end.

She got treatment eventually and she was released. She was six months away from being heavily pregnant then. She learned she was not guilty and went home. After release, she had a healthy baby and now helps other women facing these situations.

Suzy believes people lose so much in prison. It harms outside children and families, she said.

Not all pregnant inmates are as fortunate. Rianna Cleary was in prison on remand. She was exploited by gangs and pleaded guilty to robbery. Prison medical exams revealed her pregnancy status.

Rianna’s baby, Aisha, was born in prison. Rianna called for help twice, but no one came. A prison worker saw her in labor but walked on. In that moment Rianna cut Aisha’s umbilical cord herself, using her teeth.

Aisha died from brain injuries later that day. Sadly, help never came when most needed. Each pregnancy in prison is ‘high risk’, and most are on remand while not yet found guilty. People question why they are in such risky places.

Suzy works with Level Up, for gender justice. She says prisons are unsafe for mothers and babies. She claims, from her experience, that officers decide hospital visits, lacking medical training, and some officers assist births illegally.

Her governor said they could not afford a full-time midwife. Suzy said the system is failing on many levels. Louise Powell, 30, had a stillborn baby in a prison toilet in 2022; she didn’t know she was pregnant, and staff thought it was period pain.

This incident was a “serious error of judgment” and sparked discussion about pregnant women on remand. A politician questioned detaining pregnant women, citing the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”

The government reduced prison sentences for pregnant women by introducing a new “mitigating factor.” Judges can consider community service instead. However, this excludes pregnant women awaiting trial and helps only sentenced women.

The Ministry of Justice said custody should be used as a last resort for women, adding that specialist officers in women’s prisons offer support. An MP said limited alternatives to prison exist for women.

His committee urged focus on challenges women face. He also mentioned the impact on family relationships. His 2023 report warned of issues with rising remand numbers and suggested greater use of community alternatives.

The Justice Committee studies prisoner rehabilitation. Reports show they heard worrying evidence about female prisoners struggling to access basic needs. The Committee will watch the Women’s Justice Board closely as it aims to reduce women in custody.

The government sponsors an Independent Sentencing Review, examining sentences across England and Wales, led by a former Lord Chancellor and experts. Still, Suzy remains unimpressed by these plans.

She sees that prison is unsafe for pregnant women. She added that the prisons had ample time to change and notes the many dangerous acts, births, and deaths.

Mel Evans of No Births Behind Bars wants more action, insisting that prison is not safe for pregnant women and that new laws are vital to protect them. She says mothers need to be in the community.

After the Styal Prison tragedy, change was promised. The facility now has a mother and baby unit, praised as “better” than some NHS care.

The Princess of Wales visited the unit and approved, noting the focus on mothers’ wellbeing. She feels a healthy mom is best for a child. Level Up’s Janey Starling disagrees with prison units.

She thinks prison cannot be safe for pregnant women. She says funds should go to women’s centers. Those offer community support and address the causes of crime, often mental illness, debt, or abuse.

Reports show women’s centers are effective. Community support gives children the best start, and prison is never the best start in a child’s life.