Play explores challenges pregnant women and mothers face in prison

The University of Chichester is to host ‘Scenes from Lost Mothers’, a new play which is the result of research exploring the challenges faced by pregnant women and mothers in prison.

The play, from Clean Break theatre company, explores the traumatic impact of maternal separation from newborn babies, and is performed by women with experience of the criminal justice system, or at risk of entering it. The work was developed with The Lost Mothers Project, a research project led by Professor Laura Abbot a registered midwife and Associate Professor in Research at The University of Hertfordshire.

Becky Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Chichester, said: “The groundbreaking play, Scenes from Lost Mothers, has received national acclaim and has been featured on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. We are proud that its first performance on the South Coast is at the University of Chichester.

“The play shines a light on the experience of mothers who have given birth in prison.   It will provide our students and the wider audience with a unique opportunity to understand the emotional and psychological impact this has on female prisoners, an impact that has been lost and overlooked until now. Based on interviews completed by Professor Laura Abbot, the play will also show our students the capacity of research to give a voice to the voiceless and to change policy.”

Scenes from Lost Mothers starts at 1pm on Thursday 20 March at The ShowRoom, on the Bishop Otter campus, Chichester.

The play will last 30 minutes, followed by a 45-minute workshop.

Tickets are free with an optional donation, and can be booked here.