Family and whānau should be involved as early as possible, and bonding encouraged and facilitated especially between the nominated alternative caregiver and the child. Where operationally feasible, increased access to contact with whānau should be made possible, for example through visits, phone calls, and video calls.
The movement of the child outside of the prison for the purpose of bonding with relatives or friends will be approved, if:
it is able to be facilitated by the prison
the mother consents
the caregiver (responsible for caring for the child during the child’s absence from the prison) has been approved by the prison director as an alternative caregiver, in that the caregiver:
has been reviewed by Oranga Tamariki , and
is an approved visitor to the prison.
the caregiver has agreed to and signed [M.03.08.Form.05 Responsibilities of approved caregiver to the child during approved outing] on each occasion they collect the child.
If prison staff have any concerns with how the child was treated or whether the caregiver complied with their agreed responsibilities during the approved outing, they must:
discuss their concerns with the mother
consider whether the caregiver should remain as an approved alternative caregiver in consultation with the prison director and Oranga Tamariki.
Notify Oranga Tamariki if harm has or is likely to occur (see [C.13 Safeguard children and young persons]).
If the prison director decides that the caregiver is no longer approved, the mother must be given the opportunity to nominate another alternative caregiver.
