Mothers In Prison

EDM number 942 in 2002-03, proposed by John McDonnell on 25/03/2003.

That this House notes with concern the estimate by the Howard League for Penal Reform that 9000 children under 16 years of age will be separated from their mother on Mothers' Day, as she will be in prison; appreciates that the imprisonment of a mother has a profound impact on children, particularly their development and future prospects; and calls upon the Government to review sentencing policy to ensure that prison is only used as a last resort, especially taking into account the effect on children of imprisoning their mother.

This motion has been signed by a total of 44 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.