Herts professor leads national focus on pregnancy and maternity care in prisons in Chief Medical Officer’s landmark report

Professor Laura Abbott, Professor of Maternal Health and Criminal Justice in the School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences and a registered midwife, co-wrote the chapter on pregnancy and maternity in prison, highlighting the urgent need for better support and care for pregnant women and new mothers in custody.

The CMO’s report titled The health of people in prison, on probation and in the secure NHS estate in England, and jointly commissioned by the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Justice, and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, brings together expert research and recommendations aimed at tackling the significant health inequalities faced by those in the prison system.

Professor Abbott’s chapter, - 'Health and care of women through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period in prison and on probation' - explores the distinct physical, emotional, and social challenges experienced by pregnant women in prison, including access to antenatal care, safe birth support, nutrition, mental health services, and postnatal care.

Professor Abbott said: “Pregnant women in prison represent a small but extremely vulnerable group whose needs are often overlooked. This report provides a vital platform to ensure that their voices are heard and that evidence-based recommendations are implemented to safeguard the health and wellbeing of both mothers and babies.”

Professor Abbott has spent more than a decade researching maternity experiences in the criminal justice system, including recently leading the Lost Mother’s Project, the first major research initiative to examine the experiences of incarcerated mothers who undergo compulsory separation from their infants. Her work has informed national guidance for NHS England and the Ministry of Justice, contributing to significant changes in policy and practice aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in prisons.

Professor Wendy Wills, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“We are proud of Professor Abbott’s contribution to this landmark report. Her work continues to influence national policy and deepen understanding of the experiences of women in the criminal justice system. This is an excellent example of how research and our people at the University of Hertfordshire are making a real difference to people’s lives.”

The Chief Medical Officer’s report emphasises that health inequalities are particularly severe within prison populations, where chronic illness, mental health issues, and substance dependence are significantly more prevalent than in the wider community. It calls for closer collaboration between health and justice agencies to improve care and continuity of support for those leaving custody.

Read the full report on the health of people in prison, on probation and in the secure NHS estate in England.