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New prison units for mothers and babies opened
22 September 2011
New prison units for mothers and babies opened
Two refurbished prison units in Christchurch have been opened by Corrections Minister Judith Collins, to cater for mothers to keep their babies with them until the age of two rather than just nine months. Two new units in Auckland will open tomorrow.
The unit openings at Auckland Region Women’s Prison and Christchurch Women’s Prison come after an Act came into force on the 19th of this month allowing older children to be placed in prisons with their mothers, if appropriate.
Corrections Deputy Chief Executive Christine Stevenson says the units will allow children up to the age of two to bond with their primary caregiver in a safe and supportive environment, and help prison mothers to develop pro-social behaviours which may ultimately reduce the risk of reoffending.
“Corrections will keep the best interests of babies at the forefront of the decision-making about which mothers and babies can use the units. The Department has established relationships with national organisations such as CYFS and Plunket to ensure they are also involved in the decision-making. These relationships will be maintained going forward.
“We also have a priority to ensure children maintain relationships with other family members, as well as to ensure mothers are supported and are able to continue with education and rehabilitation programmes. Community providers will play a part in providing parenting support to mothers in the units, and we are grateful to have them on board.
“The units are a residential-type environment and don’t have the feel of a stereotypical prison. As much as possible they replicate a normal community situation. We will be catering for the needs of toddlers through specially thought-out facilities, care arrangements and daily activities,” Ms Stevenson said.
The self-care unit option is only available to women who meet the security requirements for those units. A female prisoner with a young baby does not automatically qualify for the Mothers and Babies units.
Decisions around child-rearing and care will be made by the mothers themselves, as in the community, while the Department will fulfil a support role.
ENDS
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