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Home Office;Prison Service

Answer

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 February, Official Report, column 214, what decisions have been made concerning arrangements for the care of Roisin McAliskey's baby should she give birth while still in prison; and if those decisions were an operational or policy matter. [20072] Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the decision as to whether Roisin McAliskey may keep her baby with her at Holloway prison. Roisin McAliskey applied on 14 February to be located on the Mother and Baby Unit at Holloway with her baby after it is born. Her application was considered, following the normal processes which apply to all expectant mothers, by the Admissions Board at Holloway, who considered the views of independent experts in the development needs of babies, as well as logistical issues. The Assessment Board has now advised the Governor that Roisin McAliskey's application should be approved, the Governor has recommended approval and this recommendation has been accepted by the Operational Director responsible for Holloway. Ms McAliskey has been told that she may keep her baby with her after the birth. She will, as do all other mothers, have to sign a compact agreeing to be of reasonable behaviour and to co-operate with the ethos and regime of the Unit. Babies in the Unit normally remain with their mothers until the age of nine months. The decision to allow Roisin McAliskey to keep her baby has followed the standard procedures and processes that would apply to any other prisoner.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

20072; 292 c400W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Childcare Babies Women Extradition Prisoners Prisons HMP/YOI Holloway Childbirth McAliskey, Roisin