Mrs. Blair stands up for pregnant inmates

LONDON, May 13 (UPI) -- Cherie Blair attacked the British government this past weekend for sending pregnant women offenders to jail.

Claiming that children born to imprisoned mothers are more likely to commit crimes, Blair made what many are calling her first foray into British politics since her husband announced he was stepping down as prime minister.

Speaking to The Independent, Blair, a human rights lawyer, called for "alternative sentences" for all expectant mothers except for the most serious women offenders.

"We consider using alternative sentences for mothers," she told the British newspaper. "It is not a soft option to make an offender face up to what she has done, to repay directly to her victim or do enforced community work. Nor is it a soft option to be tagged electronically."

British government figures reportedly show about 100 babies born every year to imprisoned women.