A child social worker has called on Governor Sarah Tucker to consider “clemency or some form of leniency” for a pregnant inmate at His Majesty’s Prison in Montserrat.
In a detailed open letter, Elrose Lindsey raised concerns about the physical and mental welfare of incarcerated woman, who she fears will have her baby taken from her a few days after birth.
She highlighted the potential impact on the prisoner, her unborn child, and her other children, calling for empathy and support during this vulnerable time.
“I appeal to your sense of charitable mercy to consider some form of compassion for her, allowing her to navigate this difficult period with the support and care she deserves as a human being,” she wrote.
The letter, addressed directly to the governor, asked if the baby could stay with its mother for a few months after birth and raised questions about the level of care being provided.
The Governor’s Office, in a brief response, declined to comment on the specific case but stated that the health and welfare of all inmates is “always paramount”.
“Where necessary, a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will be convened to manage a particular situation,” it continued.
Psychological challenges
On 23 September, Lindsey wrote to Governor Tucker, who is responsible for internal security including the prison service, describing what she knows of the prisoner.
She said the circumstances surrounding the woman’s pregnancy, imminent birth, and potential separation from her newborn are deeply concerning.
Lindsey, who lives in England but grew up and spent much of her career in Montserrat, asked the governor to consider the inmate’s mental health.
“Based on my experience as a child social worker and on well-documented psychological research, pregnant women in prison often face extreme anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation,” she said.
She stressed that postpartum depression is a significant risk, and without adequate emotional and psychological support, the woman could face severe long-term mental health issues.
If she is separated from her baby it will likely intensify feelings of guilt, grief and powerlessness making it difficult for her to recover emotionally or bond with her child, she added.
Rights of the child
Lindsey said the case raises broader questions about the rights of children, both born and unborn.
She pointed out that the prisoner’s other children are growing up without their mother’s presence, and suggested the same fate is likely for her newborn.
In the United Kingdom and other countries, initiatives have been introduced to recognise that children of incarcerated parents are, in many ways, also serving a sentence, Lindsey said.
“The emotional toll on them is profound, and we must question whether we continue to act in the children’s best interest,” she said.
Lindsey appealed to the governor’s “sense of empathy, fairness and mercy”, and asked her to let the woman bond with her newborn and maintain contact with her other children during the “critical early months”.
The Prison Rules within the Prison Act allow the superintendent of prisons to permit an inmate to nurse or tend to their child in prison – in which case everything needed for their care should be provided.
Unanswered questions
In her letter, Lindsey posed several detailed questions to the governor regarding prenatal, mental health and postpartum care for the pregnant inmate.
She also inquired whether arrangements could be made for the baby to stay with the mother after birth to encourage early bonding.
The Montserrat constitution states: “All persons deprived of their liberty (prisoners) have the right to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”
Three days later, the Governor’s Office responded with a brief reply, thanking her for her correspondence and stating: “You will understand that we do not comment on individual cases.
“The health and welfare of all inmates at HMP Brades is always paramount.
“Where necessary, a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will be convened to help manage a particular situation and if warranted, this can include the provision of both physical and psychological support.
“First and foremost however, is keeping the people of Montserrat safe and ensuring that the rule of law in Montserrat is observed and upheld.”
Seeking clarity
Montserrat Focus asked the Governor’s Office several questions about accommodations and care for female inmates, and a spokesperson provided a response a week later.
Female inmates, they said, are housed in a separate cell block from male prisoners and have access to a prison doctor and clinical psychologist as needed.
All prisoners, male and female, “enjoy the same level of security and protection”, they said, adding that prison officers and senior staff are trained to manage every situation.
When asked about accommodations for pregnant inmates, the office responded: “The specific needs of each inmate are taken into consideration during their incarceration.”
The spokesperson said there are “suitable facilities” for family visits, and that all other visits take place in a designated visiting area.
The office declined to say how long a newborn can remain with its mother in prison, stating: “We do not comment on such matters.”
It also refused to provide the number of male and female prisoners, saying: “We do not release operational information about the prison”.
