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Women in Prisons: Health and Well-being Focused
This year’s World Health Day, celebrated on 7th April, will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health. The campaign will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritise women’s longer-term health and well-being.
At Mothers’ Union, we believe that the health of mothers and babies is the foundation of healthy families and communities, ensuring hopeful futures for us all. An often overlooked dimension of women’s healthcare is that within the prison system in the UK. Mothers’ Union works to support families in all forms without prejudice no matter their situation. This includes the families of people who have been incarcerated and now find themselves having to engage with the prison system.
Why women in prison?
More than 15 years since the Corston Report, a review of vulnerable women in the criminal justice system carried out in 2006, the picture for women in prison is worse than ever. Whilst the report focuses more generally on vulnerable female offenders, it recognises that a large proportion of these women are mothers, referring to the effects of imprisonment on their children.
A criminal conviction and particularly a custodial sentence can affect a woman’s ability to care for her family, causing lasting harm to her children, grandchildren and wider family.
How are we making a difference?
Like many of the activities that our organisation is involved in, our prison work started small - with members volunteering in visitor centre cafés or providing books for prisoners - and has grown into something much bigger. Nowadays, in addition to these activities, members are involved in running various training schemes, organising family days, counselling prisoners and providing a safe and stimulating environment for children during their visits, amongst many other things.
In Rochester diocese, members have helped with a restorative justice programme for those due to be released, hopefully to prevent re-offending. The Peterborough diocese has provided prayer leaflets for local prisons, helping prisoners respond to bereavement or family illness and preparing for release with a godly approach.
Our members also provide birthing bags for expectant mothers, often with hand-knitted items for the baby. These bags include items such as baby clothing, newborn essentials and toiletries for the mum. Volunteers provide creche facilities for visiting families and provide books for mothers to read a nightly story to their children via telephone.
We can do more.
Mothers’ Union have a presence in many of the prisons across Britain and Ireland, bringing hope to those who most need it. So much of our work centres on supporting the continued connection between those in prison and their families. We strive to prioritise women’s mental and longer-term health and well-being through our actions. But we can think of many other ways we can provide support to prisoners, especially to mothers and their families – and we need your help.
If you are interested in getting involved in prison work, there is bound to be a role that suits your interest and skills, no matter your age or ability. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join today and participate in this and many more of our projects. Get in touch with your diocese for more information about how you can be involved locally.
You can also join the movement of prayer during Prisons Week, an annual event that has been running for over 40 years. Continue praying for our volunteers, for their continued dedication to the causes we at Mothers’ Union are so passionate about, and for long-lasting changes to come as a result of their work.