In late September, Minister of Corrections, Hon Judith Collins, opened two new Mothers with Babies Units at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility. She also opened two refurbished Mothers with Babies Units at Christchurch Women’s Prison.

The changes to the units came as a result of the Corrections (Mothers with Babies) Amendment Act 2008 which came into force on 19 September. The Act means mothers in prison can keep their children with them up to the age of two and opens up participation to a wider pool of women.

“Each year around a dozen babies in this country are born to mothers who are in prison. Irrespective of their mother’s circumstances, these babies deserve a good start and to be with their mothers,” said Ms Collins.

The self-care units give mothers with babies the chance to bond in a safe and supportive environment where decisions made are in the best interests of the child.

“Mothers in the units have the opportunity to develop confidence in their ability to parent in a safe environment, and to maintain a violence free environment for their children when they are released,” says Wayne McKnight, Prison Manager Christchurch Women’s Prison.

In order to manage the new and converted units, 10 new staff have been trained. Community providers will also provide parenting support to mothers in the units, and will play an integral role in assisting the mothers to reintegrate into the community whey they are released.

A prisoner is eligible to apply for a position in a Mothers with Babies Unit if she is pregnant or if she is the mother of a child less than 24 months old, and:

• was the child’s primary caregiver before imprisonment, or is likely to be the child’s caregiver on release; and
• does not have a conviction for sexual or violent offending against children; and
• agrees to undertake mental health and substance abuse screening, if required, to assess for any issues that may affect her ability to take care of her child.
 

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ISSN 1178-8453

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