Specialist baby unit urged for prisons

NEW research on babies living behind prison bars with their mothers has recommended a special unit be set up in Irish jails.

The study, the first of its kind, found 14 babies have lived in prisons since 2003. Five were born to women pregnant on admission. The other women brought their babies in with them.

The research looked at women incarcerated in the Dochas centre attached to Mountjoy Prison, which holds 81 women prisoners.

It concluded a formal system is needed to plan the admission, stay and discharge of babies, with links to health and child protection schemes.

“It may be that a mother and baby unit is needed in the Irish prison system,” stated research author and Wexford General Hospital’s Dr Francis Enright.

The study, entitled Babies Behind Bars, found children stayed in prison for periods of between two days and three months. Conditions and provisions for toddlers were also examined in the jail, where five women are serving life sentences. Surprisingly, the study, in the latest Irish Medical Journal edition added: “This period in prison may be a less stressful time and she can avail of education, recreation and health screening more easily,” added Dr Enright.

But many dangers exist.

Up to 50% of female inmates are on methadone while some inmates have HIV and are treated with appropriate medication during pregnancy.

Prison staff had concerns checking babies at night. Cot deaths are more prevalent when a mother has a history of drug use or is abusing substances inside. Babies also face increased risk of developing asthma with smoking in prisons.

It’s not just incarcerated mothers staff must watch.

“Visiting dads have been known to try and leave another child behind with mother,” added the study, conducted with Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

While mother and baby get regular check-ups from doctors, many are separated from their offspring who are placed in foster care. Some mothers work on “getting them back by showing good behaviour during stay”. For others, motherhood behind bars is more challenging.

“Many of the women have personality disorders, psychiatric illness, deprived social circumstances and substance abuse habits, putting them at risk of post-natal depression.”

Controversy surrounded recent attempts by murderer Charlotte Mulhall to care for her infant in prison.