Kids of jailed mothers face rap in free world

London, Jan 30 (UNI) Denouncing British sentencing policy and calling for a radical overhaul in the judicial system, the Children's Commissioner for England said mothers of young children should not be jailed for minor offences for the well-being of their kids.

More than 18,000 children were separated from their imprisoned mothers every year resulting in damaged prospects of a new generation, Sir Al Aynsley-Green said.

''There is a need to achieve a balance between the use of prison to address crime and keep society safe and do whatever is best for highly vulnerable women in view of their role in bringing up the next generation,'' the Independent quoted Sir Al as saying.

According to statistics by 11 Million, around a third of the 4300 women prisoners have children under five. Some children were adopted, others cared for by their father or another relative and some were placed in care until their mother is released or sometimes longer.

But children of jailed mothers were more likely to be convicted of a crime and to serve time on probation than other children. They were also three times more likely to display anti-social behaviour and suffer mental health problems in later life, the report stated.

UNI XC SYU AS1357