Putting Babies First: Supportive Choices for Mother and Baby Units

Henry Kable Junior born in Norwich Castle Gaol in 1786. The problem persists that babies are living within prisons. Mother and baby units are presented as a solution; however, these living arrangements are not always in the best interests of children. 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 in mother and baby units. It is difficult to conceive that there could be any other way of dealing with women who have young babies and this difficulty has led to the longevity of mother and baby units. The first section of this article provides an overview of the most salient representations of babies in prison during the current year and its Covid-19 pandemic. I will explain how a theory called, ‘supportive choices’, can be applied by prison administrations, criminal justice institutions and activists.