Pregnant inmates could be granted temporary release from prison “within days”. The Ministry of Justice said the measures are to protect them and their unborn children from coronavirus.
Officials also said this would only apply to those not considered a high risk to the public. It is understood 35 pregnant prisoners and 34 women in mother and baby units will be released from jails in England and Wales.
Prison governors will have powers to grant their release on temporary licence - but only after they pass the assessment and suitable accommodation for the women has been identified.
Announcing the move, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: ‘We have already taken extraordinary measures to protect prisoners and the public over the last few