Authority for Policy
This service will be provided in accordance with the current legislation.
This service must also meet the requirements of all other relevant legislation, regulations, relevant Department of Corrections' policies, and such other instructions as may be issued by the Chief Executive from time to time.
Introduction
- Women prisoners are able to care for their young babies up to 9 months of age in prison where it is considered to be in the best interests of the baby and the management and security of the prison is not threatened.
- Feeding and Bonding facilities aim to replicate a domestic lounge setting for female prisoners to feed and bond with their children (under the age of 9 months) on a daily basis in a safe, suitable and secure environment, encouraging pro-social activity for the prisoner, and providing for the inherent rights of the child.
- Alternatively prisoners who are ineligible or choose not to have their baby with them in full time residence in a Self-care unit (refer to separate service description on self-care units for female prisoners), may choose to apply to have the baby brought into the prison daily for the purposes of feeding and bonding with the mother in a designated facility.
- This Operating Guideline document is for use by Prison Service staff and external agencies concerned with the management of women prisoners with babies who wish to apply for a place in a self-care unit or the use of feeding and bonding facilities.
- Prisoners who have regular contact visits with their babies in Feeding and Bonding facilities are able to;
- Minimise the impact of their imprisonment on their children.
- Demonstrate the fostering of their relationship with their baby.
- Actively contribute to the reduction in the likelihood of intergenerational criminality.
- The overarching outcome is to reduce re-offending.
- The Prison Services (PS) will assist women prisoners in providing optimal care for dependent babies and maintaining their role as primary caregivers.
