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Restraint of pregnant women special investigation

For information on our special investigation into the use of restraints on pregnant women during pregnancy-related hospital escorts, click the link below.
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PPO to conduct investigation into use of restraints on pregnant women in prison during pregnancy-related hospital escorts

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The Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Lord Timpson has commissioned the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to carry out an investigation into the use of restraints on pregnant women in prison during pregnancy-related hospital escorts.

The Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Lord Timpson has commissioned the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to carry out an investigation into the use of restraints on pregnant women in prison during pregnancy-related hospital escorts.

The PPO was asked to conduct an independent investigation in light of allegations that HMPPS policy governing the use of restraints on pregnant women in prison during their pregnancy-related hospital escorts was breached at one or more women’s prisons.

The investigation includes women that were pregnant and restrained during transport to and from hospital and while in hospital, as well as those who were immediately post-natal or post-pregnancy loss.

Today, Ombudsman Adrian Usher invites women in prison who were restrained during their pregnancy-related hospital escorts to contact us by 5 June to determine how widespread the use of restraints has been.

“HMPPS policy requires that the use of restraints during pregnancy-related hospital escorts must be subject to a risk assessment”, said Ombudsman Adrian Usher.

“Please consider reaching out to us. Pregnant women should not be routinely restrained”.
Adrian Usher – Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

A formal report of our findings will be published on our website.

Read the Terms of Reference
Read the press release

Click here to complete our contact form.

About the investigation

The scope of the investigation covers 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025.

The public and private women’s prisons in scope for this investigation are: HMP/YOI Bronzefield, HMP/YOI Downview, HMP/YOI Drake Hall, HMP/YOI Eastwood Park, HMP/YOI Foston Hall, HMP/YOI Low Newton, HMP/YOI New Hall, HMP/YOI Peterborough, HMP Send, HMP/YOI Styal.

Whilst some women may have ultimately given birth when located at an open prison or following release, we encourage those that were pregnant and restrained during their pregnancy-related hospital escorts from any of the listed prisons to still contact us.

All contact to the PPO will be handled confidentially. For more information, please contact pporestraintsinvestigation@ppo.gov.uk.

If you have been affected by the use of restraints whilst pregnant in prison, click here to view a list of organisations that can offer specialist support.

Click this button for more information on the investigation