The Princess of Wales has sympathised with former prison mothers who suggested their parental support behind bars was better than services in the outside world.
Kate travelled to HMP Styal, a women’s prison in Cheshire, to meet ex-offenders and those still serving that are all supported by a mother and baby unit run by the charity Action for Children, the princess represents as royal patron.
She told staff from the unit: “It is great that you are looking at the mother’s wellbeing as well. The best thing for baby is to have a mother whose emotional needs and wellbeing is met as well.”
The event was Kate’s fifth public engagement in just over two weeks as she continues with her gradual return to official duties since completing her cancer treatment.
When the royal first arrived, she was met by shouts of “we need more funding” and “tell them the truth”, and also a loud wolf-whistle and cat-calls from women leaning out of accommodation block windows.
The princess smiled, waved and said hello to other inmates who were also straining to get a glimpse of the royal guest.
She sat down with two former inmates only identified by their first names – Sam, who left the prison six weeks ago with her toddler son after serving a 14-month sentence for an undisclosed offence and Donna, who was 30 weeks pregnant when she began an 11-month sentence and gave birth to a daughter in prison.
Sam told Kate how it was only by being sent to prison that she received “so much” help, something that was unlikely to have been available in her local community.
The future queen replied: “It shouldn’t have to take something like this to get access to something like this…”
Sam said: “I only left six weeks ago and I am just getting rolling with everything again. Thinking about work, nurseries. I have said so many times that I just wish I could take this (prison) nursery and put it in my home town.”
She added: “It’s hands down the best nursery. My son just ran up to the nursery worker straight away and recognised her just now.”
