UNCOVERED: Aisha cleary | History Defined

Women’s prisons report finds 97 deaths in decade as self-harm hits record high

Charity director warns ‘more deaths will follow’ unless government changes tack and closes women’s prisons

The Guardian - UK · Dec 3, 2025

Woman whose baby was stillborn in HMP Styal praises sentencing changes

Louise Powell says she hopes new guidance means fewer pregnant women are jailed and it can be the legacy of her child Brooke

The Guardian - UK · Mar 18, 2024

Pregnant women and new mothers shouldn’t be sent to jail, UK public says

Poll shared with Observer shows high support for reform of prison sentencing to stop ‘lives being torn apart’

The Guardian - UK · Feb 24, 2024

The tragedy of Rianna and baby Aisha: why a teenager gave birth all alone in a prison cell

It was more than 12 hours after Rianna Cleary went into labour before anyone came to help her. She was covered in blood – and her daughter was dead. Why were they failed so appallingly?

The Guardian - UK · Aug 2, 2023

The reality of being pregnant in prison: ‘I pressed the call bell five times but was ignored’

New figures show that 196 pregnant women were held in prison during 2022-23

The Independent UK · Jul 29, 2023

Baby died after ‘extremely vulnerable’ mother gave birth alone in prison

Aisha Cleary was pronounced dead after being born in HMP Bronzefield jail in September 2019.

The Independent UK · Jul 28, 2023

HMP Bronzefield and the ethics of pregnant women in prison

An inquiry into the death of baby Aisha Cleary in her mother’s jail cell has intensified the debate over whether prisons are safe for pregnant women.

The Week · May 11, 2023

Teenager who gave birth alone in prison cell was vulnerable to exploitation – inquest

Surrey coroner considering whether failures in care to mother contributed to baby’s death

The Guardian - UK · May 3, 2023