The Princess of Wales visited HMP Styal, a women’s prison in Cheshire, to meet with new mothers and discuss a project aimed at fostering strong relationships between mothers and babies in prison.
During her visit to the prison in Wilmslow, Catherine toured the mother and baby unit, which is designed to help mothers form healthy connections with their babies despite the challenges of being incarcerated. The prison houses around 400 inmates, including some serving life sentences.
The princess, who is known for her royal engagements, stepped through the security gates in the rain, marking a departure from more glamorous public events. She met with staff who specialize in supporting new mothers and visited a nursery where babies, who will spend their first few months behind bars, are cared for.
This was Catherine’s fourth official visit to a prison. She met with women receiving support from the charity Action for Children, which operates mother and baby units at three prisons in northern England. One former inmate shared her experience with the princess, saying that being a mother in prison is difficult but the specialized support provided a “safe space” and helped her learn about parenthood and gain skills.
“I’ve made silly decisions, but I’ve got as much out of it as I could,” she said, explaining that she embraced the opportunities for growth while in prison.
The former inmates also spoke to the princess about the stigma of having a baby in prison. Catherine discussed with staff the significance of “attachment and bonding,” especially for mothers who had experienced trauma.
While the princess toured the prison, there were some disruptions as inmates shouted and whistled, calling for more funding and transparency. Last year, there were concerns about safety at the prison, and the facility’s mental health support budget had been increased in response.
The prison aims to help mothers establish strong bonds with their babies, which is believed to reduce the likelihood of reoffending after release.
Catherine’s visit ties into her ongoing campaign to raise awareness about early childhood development. Through her Shaping Us initiative, she emphasizes the importance of the first five years of a child’s life.
The visit to HMP Styal is part of a series of engagements the princess is undertaking after the conclusion of her cancer treatment. The mother and baby unit at Styal provides a separate, more nurturing space for new mothers and their babies, with nursing care and support available. Some babies may spend up to 18 months in the unit.
The unit is designed to create a different atmosphere from the typical prison environment, with stuffed toys and a focus on emotional support for both mothers and babies. Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that there are approximately 200,000 children in England and Wales with a parent in prison.
As is often the case with the princess’s public appearances, there was some interest in her attire during the visit. However, Kensington Palace clarified that there has been no change in its policy regarding the sharing of details about her clothing. While the palace occasionally provides information about what the princess wears, it is not guaranteed for every appearance.
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