Police are investigating the death of a baby at HMP Bronzefield, Britain's largest female prison in Surrey, after an inmate gave birth alone in her cell at night. The woman, who had been at an advanced stage of pregnancy, gave birth in the early hours of last Friday. When prison staff visited her cell that morning, the baby was found unresponsive.
Vicky Robinson, the prison director, confirmed the death and said the prison is supporting the mother. South East Coast Ambulance Service received a call at 8.30am last Friday and attended the scene. Surrey Police stated the death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation is ongoing.
The incident raises serious questions about why the woman was unsupervised during labour and lacked medical support. HMP Bronzefield, operated by Sodexo Justice Services, holds up to 557 inmates. It has a mother and baby unit, but the baby died before reaching it. Approximately 600 pregnant women are held in English and Welsh prisons each year.
Charities and solicitors have expressed alarm. Naomi Delap of Birth Companions emphasised the need for high-quality healthcare for pregnant prisoners. Jane Ryan, a solicitor, called for a full independent investigation, noting it is an indictment of the prison system that a woman gave birth in a cell. Dr Kate Paradine of Women in Prison stated that all mothers should be able to give birth in dignity.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said it is not investigating the baby's death as it falls outside its remit. Deborah Coles of INQUEST demanded an independent inquiry, calling the situation horrifying and exposing the inhumanity of the prison system. Previous concerns at Bronzefield include the 2016 death of Natasha Chin, where an inquest jury found neglect and systemic failings contributed.
