Princess Kate met mums in prison. Some said childcare was better than outside. She supports a charity aiding them.
Some moms said prison childcare was better than outside help. Kate visited the women’s prison on Tuesday, speaking with inmates and ex-offenders who were assisted by the charity Action for Children, which the princess supports.
People shouted at her when she arrived, wanting more funding and the truth told.
Two former inmates shared their stories: one who left prison six weeks prior with her toddler son after serving 14 months for a secret crime, and another who was pregnant in prison and gave birth to her daughter there.
One mom said prison gave her much help she wouldn’t normally get. Kate replied, “It shouldn’t take this.”
The ex-inmate then talked about work and nurseries, wishing she could move the prison nursery to her hometown, adding that they were both first-time mothers.
The start wasn’t good, but things improved, leading to prison. They made mistakes that led to prison, but got the most from their time there, and accessed services they would not have outside.
Action for Children runs three prison units in the north of England. These units have living areas for mothers and staff help moms care for their babies, with experts in early years also giving aid. Kate said mother’s wellness matters.
This event was Kate’s fifth recent outing as she is returning to her duties after cancer treatment and asked if the unit cut reoffending. She learned the rate fell from 70% to 12% with parental support given.
Kate focuses on early childhood development. Amanda Taylor, who leads children’s services at the charity, stated that early years impact adulthood. Babies aren’t prisoners, Taylor stated, but live there by chance, so giving them a good start is important.
Since 2007, Styal prison had 11 suicides, the highest number for women’s prisons, and a former inmate called Styal “hell on earth”.