Seven experts have been appointed to lead Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) across England and Wales, strengthening the support for incarcerated mothers and their babies.
This decision, confirmed by the Secretary of State, marks an important step in improving care within the prison system, ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for mothers to bond with their children during their custodial sentences.
Who Are the New MBU Chairs?
As of 1 October 2024, the newly appointed Chairs for the next five years are:
- Esther Beresford
- Deborah Brayshaw
- Lisa Hackett
- Tom Ketteley
- Claire Wiggins
- Laura Vincent
- Glynis Williams
Each of these professionals brings a wealth of experience from social work, judicial roles, healthcare, and public service.
Their diverse backgrounds ensure a holistic approach to the management and oversight of MBUs, reinforcing the importance of child welfare within the prison system.
What Are Mother and Baby Units?
Mother and Baby Units are specialised facilities within the UK prison estate that allow mothers to care for their babies while serving their sentences.
These units enable women to maintain crucial bonds with their infants in a secure environment, providing them with the opportunity to care for their children during the critical early stages of development.
According to the Prison Rules, the Secretary of State is responsible for approving women to keep their babies in prison. Currently, there are six MBUs in England and Wales, with a combined capacity of 73 mothers and their children.
The babies can remain in the MBU until they are 18 months old, after which decisions about their continued care are reviewed by the MBU Board.
A New Era of Leadership
The newly appointed Chairs come from diverse professional backgrounds, ensuring that each MBU benefits from leadership that can address the complex needs of mothers and babies in prison.
For example, Deborah Brayshaw has extensive experience in child protection and safeguarding, while Lisa Hackett, a chief social work director, has over 29 years of experience working with children and adults.
These Chairs will oversee admission decisions and the continued stay of mothers and their babies, making decisions based on what is in the best interest of the child while ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of the mother.
The Importance of Mother and Baby Units
The function of MBUs goes beyond basic care—they aim to break the cycle of reoffending by giving incarcerated women the chance to build a bond with their babies.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Justice, these units:
“provide a safe setting for babies to remain with their mothers, offering stability and the chance to reduce the risks associated with family separation.”
The benefits of MBUs include:
- Strengthening the mother-child bond
- Reducing the emotional trauma of separation
- Offering parenting support and guidance within the prison environment
Research has shown that positive early mother-baby relationships can have a profound impact on both the mother’s rehabilitation and the baby’s development, potentially reducing the risk of future offences by the mother and improving outcomes for the child.
New Appointments: A Step Towards Reform
This appointment of new Chairs comes amid broader efforts to improve conditions for women in prisons. The UK government’s Female Offender Strategy and the Farmer Review for Women both highlight the importance of addressing the specific needs of female offenders, particularly those with children.
The leadership provided by these new Chairs is expected to enhance decision-making processes within MBUs, ensuring that the best interests of both mother and child are always at the forefront.
As Tom Ketteley, one of the newly appointed Chairs, noted in his previous role as a Fee-Paid Judge,
“Decisions about vulnerable individuals must always be made with sensitivity and care, balancing their rights with broader societal considerations.”
Current MBU Locations in England and Wales
Below is a list of the six MBUs currently in operation:
Location |
Prison Name |
Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | HMP Bronzefield | 12 |
| Cambridgeshire | HMP Peterborough | 13 |
| West Midlands | HMP Askham Grange | 10 |
| Derbyshire | HMP Styal | 12 |
| Gloucestershire | HMP Eastwood Park | 11 |
| Kent | HMP Maidstone | 15 |
The new Chairs will be overseeing these units, each bringing fresh insights to address the specific challenges faced by mothers in custody.
Looking Ahead
With these appointments, the future of Mother and Baby Units looks promising. By focusing on the welfare of both mothers and their children, the UK prison system aims to create an environment that fosters positive change, rehabilitation, and growth.
These efforts reflect a broader commitment to reforming the criminal justice system for women, ensuring that their unique needs are met and that their children are given the best possible start in life, even under challenging circumstances.
As the MBUs continue to evolve under this new leadership, we can expect further developments in the way the prison system supports mothers and their babies, creating lasting benefits for families and society as a whole.
Sources: THX News & Ministry of Justice.
