This report is part of the a series of Spotlight reports, published as part of the NSPCC's All Babies Count campaign.
All Babies Count aims to raise awareness of the importance of pregnancy and the first year of life to a child's development. The report looks at babies affected by the criminal justice system, and argues that having a parent or a significant adult involved in the criminal justice system should be treated as a strong marker of additional support needs in a child's life, beginning at conception. Babies affected by parental offending and the criminal justice system often encounter risks that could affect their care and development - because those involved in the criminal justice system often have additional needs, such as poor mental health, that can impact on the care a baby receives; because the criminal justice system can disrupt relationships, particularly if parents and infants are separated; and because the imprisonment of pregnant women and babies in Mother and Baby Units can impact on the health and wellbeing of infants.
The report highlights that both universal health and early years services will not necessarily be aware that a baby has a parent in prison, and community criminal justice agencies working with offenders will not necessarily be aware that someone is a parent. There is also a focus on the UK's Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), with questions raised about how best to meet the needs of infants when their mothers are imprisoned. While MBUs may reduce the trauma of separation for children, it may mean living in an environment that is detrimental to child development. Finally, the report highlights examples of good practice, and makes 6 key recommendations for the identification, consideration and support for babies affected by the criminal justice system and their parents.
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