Mothers and Babies

Mothers with Babies units operate at Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility (ARWCF), Arohata Women's Prison, north of Wellington, and Christchurch Women's Prison (CWP).

They are self-care units that give mothers with babies the chance to bond in a safe and supportive environment.

The Mothers with Babies units also aim to:

• assist the mother to develop and maintain a functional relationship with her child pending the mother's release,
• reduce the likelihood of the mother re-offending.

In September 2008 the Corrections (Mothers with Babies) Amendment Bill was passed into law, setting out provisions for mothers to keep their children with them in prison up to two years of age, instead of the existing legislation which capped the age at nine months.

To facilitate the legislation, new units were constructed at ARWCF, while two existing self-care units were converted at CWP to make the spaces safe for children up to two-years-old.

Due to the nature of the site at Arohata, building additional accommodation would be very costly, and, with limited demand at the site, the age limit for children at Arohata will remain at nine months.

Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility

Two new units at ARWCF provide an additional six places for mothers with babies up to two-years-old.

• 10 self-care units in total that provide capacity for 38 prisoners.
• 8 of the 10 units provide self-care capacity for 32 prisoners who may be undertaking a reintegration activity such as release to work, working with mobility dogs, or be mothers with babies 0-9 months-old.
• 2 of the 10 units have been specifically built to provide capacity for 6 mothers with babies up to two-years-old.

Arohata Women's Prison

• 4 self-care units in total that provide capacity for 16 prisoners undertaking reintegration activity such as release to work, working with mobility dogs, or be mothers with babies 0-9 months-old.

Christchurch Women's Prison

Two newly refurbished units at CWP provide four places for mothers with babies up to two-years-old.

• 8 self-care units in total that provide capacity for 28 prisoners
• 6 of the 8 units provide self-care capacity for 24 prisoners who may be undertaking a reintegration activity such as release to work or be mothers with babies 0-9 months-old.
• 2 of the 8 units have been refurbished to provide capacity for 4 mothers with babies up to two-years-old

All three sites will continue to be able to provide additional places for mothers with babies under 9-months-old, as required.

The cost of bringing the units into line with the new legislation is $2.16 million in capital expenditure and $2 million in annual operating expenditure. The capital cost includes the purchasing of a vehicle for transport to medical appointments and the local childcare centre.

The operating costs represents a full year's operation. The largest component of operating costs is staff costs and social work support. Higher custodial staff levels are required to manage women of mixed security classification and to allow for 24/7 coverage of the self-care units, and to allow staff to accompany women and their children to off-site appointments.

A cost has been included to cover programme related costs like securing places at local creches for children and provision of parenting education and other services to support women in their role as mothers.

For mothers looking to apply for a position at a Mothers with Babies unit, the following criteria needs to be met:

• being the child's primary caregiver before entering prison, and/or likely to be after release,
• no convictions for sexual or violent offending against children
• illicit drug-free,
• willing to sign a Parenting Agreement which includes attending parenting programmes,
• the new legislation now enables women in remand or with a high security classification to also apply for a place in the units.

This is an agreement between the prisoner and prison manager regarding the care of their child. It ensures the mother understands they are responsible for the care and safety of their child in prison; that the prisoner will meet the cost of providing formula and food items, together with clothes and toys, or to have them sent to prison.

Under the Agreement, the Department of Corrections agrees to provide access to parenting information, education and support, and health care services for the child. The Department also agrees to assist with treatment or counselling services required to support the mother to fulfil her parenting responsibilities.

The Agreement highlights that mothers are required to participate in specified parenting education programmes, and any programmes identified in their offender plan. It also outlines reasons why a child may be removed from prison (disciplinary offences against the mother, neglect of the child).

It is well-known that the critical bonding period for babies and caregivers is the first two years of a child's life. It is the Department?s view that it is sometimes better for children to be in family care rather than out of it, especially when it promotes continuity of care.

Mothers who are able to have their children in prison with them are able to care for them in a non-threatening, safe-haven situation. They have the opportunity to build on their parenting skills in a structured and supportive environment. There is evidence that mothers who have their babies with them in prison can be motivated not to re-offend; it can refocus their priorities and parenting responsibilities.

The units also operate in line with New Zealand's Care of Children Act, which stipulates that linkages with family and whanau should be maintained where appropriate.

At both ARWCF and CWP, mothers with babies share existing common facilities located in the main self-care unit compound. During the day most of the women in the self-care units will either be working elsewhere in the prison or on release to work, meaning the common facilities, if required, will be available for child-related activities.

Each unit is made up of four bedrooms, a communal kitchen, bathroom and an outside play area.

In Auckland, the Papakura Whanau Centre will assist mothers in the units with education, parenting skills and other support. In Christchurch the Family Help Trust will be doing the same.

The Papakura Whanau Centre is also providing training for new prison staff at both prisons, to ensure they are familiar with the special circumstances and needs of the mothers and babies.