Media Release
Embargoed until 2pm

1 August 2007

Bill provides opportunity to break the cycle

The Families Commission says the Corrections (Mothers with Babies) Amendment Bill that would allow young children of women inmates to live with them in prison is an opportunity to encourage these families to build stronger relationships.

In its oral submission today to the Law and Order Select Committee the Commission’s Deputy Chief Commissioner Sharron Cole said “It is vital that babies form a strong attachment to one person within the first few years of life. The effect of successful bonding is so profound that it relates to nearly all aspects of the child’s future life.”

The Bill states that prisons must provide parenting education and support for the mothers during the two years the child is allowed to live in the prison.

“Allowing imprisoned mothers to care for their babies for up to two years in prison would provide a wonderful and rare opportunity to offer the type of parenting support and education that could change the lives of these women, and the lives of their children. For some it may be the only parenting education the mothers will ever get.”

“This education should be holistic, family-centred, and ongoing until the child and the mother are both living in their home community. It’s also important that family visits to the prison are encouraged so that the children develop normal interpersonal relationships.”

The Commission says the Bill makes it clear that prison facilities must be child-friendly with practices and policies that support breastfeeding, care of the child and recreation.

“There should also be arrangements for the transition of care when the child is two years old to make sure that the mothers are able to stay in contact with their children until the mothers are released from prison.”

The Commission’s recommendations are based on the principle that it is in the child’s best interests to remain with their mother, unless there is a court order that states otherwise.

“There can be no attitude within prisons that having your child live with you in prison is some sort of privilege to be earned or removed as punishment.”

ENDS

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