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Perinatal Women in Prison

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Complex Social Issues and the Perinatal Woman

Abstract

It is understood that many women who end up in the criminal justice system are from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. These may include being survivors of sexual abuse and neglect in childhood, being in the care of the local authority, being homeless, being survivors of domestic violence and misusing drugs and alcohol. It is known that a high proportion of women in prison suffer from mental ill health and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. This group of women is at particularly high risk of health complications in pregnancy. The following chapter reflects the experience of pregnant women in prison, considering their maternity care needs for each trimester and during the post-natal period. The chapter gives an overview of the current research undertaken, considering the demographics and characteristics of women who may become incarcerated and their health outcomes and the psychological impact of imprisonment. Vignettes illuminate the experiences of women in relation to human rights, toxic stress, the fear of going into labour at night, the shame experienced and the impact of being separated from their baby. Throughout the chapter, the reader is asked to consider their professional responsibilities and to look at their own unconscious bias when caring for the pregnant prisoner.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A mother and baby unit places women who have successfully gained a place, with their babies up to 18 months of age.

  2. 2.

    Category A prisoners are deemed the most dangerous prisoners who require the strictest security conditions. Restricted status is any woman on remand or sentenced who poses a serious risk to public safety. Closed conditions are for women who are too substantial a risk for open conditions although require less security. Open conditions are women who can be trusted and are a minimal risk to the public. PSI 39/2011

  3. 3.

    A closed prison is maximum security holding Category A, restricted status, closed conditions and remand prisoners.

  4. 4.

    An open prison is a minimum-security prison where women can attend outside work and are trusted with minimal supervision.

  5. 5.

    Article 3 of the Human Rights Act states: ‘you must not be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way. Inhuman treatment is ill-treatment which causes you severe mental or physical suffering. The ill-treatment does not have to be deliberate or inflicted on purpose. Degrading treatment is treatment which is grossly humiliating or undignified’ (Citizens Advice Bureau, 2017).

  6. 6.

    A Prison Service Order (PSO) or Prison Service Instruction (PSI) is guidance as to how prison services are regulated.

  7. 7.

    A doula is a woman who provides support and gives advice to pregnant, birthing and post-natal women. Doulas are usually mothers themselves but have no professional qualification in midwifery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Allied Health and Midwifery, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK

    Laura Abbott

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Correspondence to Laura Abbott .

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  1. Department of Allied Health and Midwifery, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK

    Laura Abbott

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Abbott, L. (2021). Perinatal Women in Prison. In: Abbott, L. (eds) Complex Social Issues and the Perinatal Woman. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58085-8_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58085-8_8

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