Natasha's Story
I used to never trust any authority because I saw them as the enemy but now I’m older and wiser and I know the help is there to help.
9 Sep 2019
Today, the Joint Committee on Human Rights published a report calling for urgent change on the issue of sending mothers to prison, saying the needs of their children have been too often neglected.
In the report, 'The right to family life: children whose mothers are in prison', the committee said urgent reform was required in four areas to improve the problem: data collection, sentencing, support for affected children, and pregnancy and maternity.
In response, Jessica Southgate, Policy Manager at Agenda, says:
“We welcome this report and agree that urgent change is needed for mothers in the criminal justice system.
“Women in prison already face considerable disadvantages. Many have experienced violence and abuse during their lives and have significant mental health problems. Separation from their children through imprisonment adds further trauma and pain which can have devastating consequences.
“For the many thousands of children who are separated from their mothers each year the experience can be frightening and deeply traumatic. Without support, many go on to face problems of their own.
“We must end this vicious and unnecessary cycle. It is vital that the Government acts on the recommendations of this report, as well as investing in community alternatives to custody, such as women’s centres, to reduce reoffending and keep women out of prison in the first place.”