Aisha died in 2019 when her mother, Rianna, gave birth alone and unaided in prison. At the inquest into the death of Aisha, the Surrey Coroner strongly condemned Camden social services (who threatened to take Aisha at birth!) and Bronzefield prison for “serious operational and systemic failings”.  On the 4th anniversary of Aisha’s death please join us 4-6pm Wed 27 September outside the MOJ, 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ.

Help publicise the Vigil and please send a message of support to Ms Cleary so she knows how many people care about what happened to her and to other mothers and babies in prison. If you can’t come in person, join us on @NotSeparation and @we_level_up.

After our regular monthly picket outside the central family court in August, SNS protested outside Camden Council against their horrendous sexist and racist treatment of a vulnerable young Black woman in their care. We said: “Camden Social Services are often cited as the “gold standard” to which other local authorities should aspire. Really?

We hope Ms Cleary and other mothers like her and their children can expect better treatment from now on. We will all be watching.” It was reported in the Camden New Journal and the Ham&High.

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This is the most important email I have sent you so far regarding the campaign to end imprisonment of pregnant women. Please read to the end. Next week will mark four years since the death of Aisha Cleary at Bronzefield prison. Baby Aisha died on 27 September when her mother, Rianna, went into labour alone in her cell and gave birth without any medical assistance. Her death ignited our campaign to end imprisonment of pregnant women, which now faces two key opportunities to secure change, explained in this email. No Births Behind Bars are coordinating a vigil for Aisha outside the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday 27 September, 4-6pm (details below). Your presence is hugely supportive to Rianna, and sends a message that she is not forgotten, and that the public remain on her side. The Ministry of Justice may want to forget this, but we can’t let them.   Your presence is also politically impactful – because we are currently facing two key opportunities for lasting change in the criminal justice system:   1. The Senior Coroner who ruled that Rianna was severely failed by the state will be announcing his Prevention of Future Deaths report at the end of October. Rianna was held in prison on remand, awaiting trial. We want the coroner to see that the best way to prevent future deaths is for courts to stop remanding pregnant women. 2. The Sentencing Council are currently considering a new mitigating factor for pregnancy –– and if they see the public are sympathetic to this, it will help secure lasting change for pregnant women in the criminal justice system.   Will you attend? If you can’t – will you help us spread the word? Share on Twitter Share on Instagram ­ We are with Rianna, in her grief and her battle for justice – and to say loud and clear: the government and courts must end the imprisonment of pregnant women.   If you’re unable to attend in person, please consider sending a message of support to Rianna for this day. It really matters. Since Aisha’s death four years ago, a senior coroner has ruled that Rianna was seriously failed by the state, and that, had she managed to get to hospital in time, there is a chance baby Aisha could still be alive today. We will not let the Ministry of Justice forget – and with a strong show of public support, will bring about an end to the imprisonment of pregnant women. In love and solidarity,   Janey, Seyi, Ikamara, Jade, Ruvimbo and Catalina (Level Up)   References: The tragedy of Rianna and baby Aisha: why a teenager gave birth all alone in a prison cell (Guardian) Sentencing Council consultation (PDF)