A Voice for Babies in Prison
During 2020, there have been a lot of critical contributions within the media and academic publications that are trying to make sense of political responses and interventions towards protecting the public, including babies in prison. Babies rely on others to represent their plight. This year I have begun to publish the results of several years of research. The following articles are available for free download.
1. When the Pendulum is stuck! — Invisible Agonists and Babies in Prison. This article explains that the invisibility of actors in the penal field has contributed to the continuation of the status quo. Despite international legislation that encourages women who are pregnant or have a baby to be given non-custodial sentences, the Bangkok Rules are not known about.
2. Neo-Liberal Governmentality and Babies in Prison. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how some populations (including women with babies) need protection. Several countries around the world have encouraged their release from prison, however in some cases this has needed legal representation.
3. Putting Babies First: Supportive Choices for Mother and Baby Units. Babies live in prisons with their mothers. There are no internationally consistent conditions, agreement on the age of separation or discussion about the possible choices for those who are supporting infants living with their mothers.
4. “No Babies in Prison?” — Norway’s Exception Explained. Norway is the only country that does not allow babies in prison. This doesn’t mean Norway’s exception is ideal. The ‘dark side’ of this exception is that healthcare professionals are legislated to be able to involuntarily detain pregnant women in clinics without any recourse to a judicial review. Research from Norway indicates substance abusing pregnant women are often presented with a cruel dilemma between having an abortion or being involuntarily detained.
The aim of these articles is to start a conversation about the topic of babies in prison. This population is voiceless and by keeping silent nothing will be done to change their plight. The most difficult step to resolution is the first one!
Bio:
I am an early career researcher and lecturer at Nottingham Trent University.
Member of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence
Publications:
These can be found at:
