The Prison Invisits Program provides a variety or arts, craft and diversionary activities for children when visiting their parent in prison.
Visiting prisons can be a traumatic, confusing and frequently upsetting
time for children who must cope with conflicting emotions and a harsh,
unchild-friendly environment. When children encounter a more enjoyable
visit with their parent, they will develop a stronger child-parent bond.
 Even as some children spend each weekend centred around visiting a parent
in prison and the processes for entering prison, other children will only
have the opportunity to visit with their parent on a very occasional basis
depending on the distances to travel and lifestyles of their carers.
Not only are visitors forbidden from taking any item into the prison
visiting area – meaning children have no comforting toys, books or
activities to entertain themselves during visits of one, two or even three
hours – children must also cope with engaging with a parent they may have
spent time with only sporadically if at all, in a very controlled, noisy
and busy environment.
Staffed by a qualified and experienced childcare worker employed by SHINE for Kids, together with trained volunteers, the Prison Invisits Program
offers enjoyable and relaxing activities to occupy children between times
spent talking to their parent. Through the peer support gained during
these activities, children also experience fewer feelings of isolation,
bolster their emotional wellbeing and increase their resilience.
The Prison Invisits Program has an impact on the environment of the whole visits area. As their children have things to do, parents and carers have more
opportunities to relate with each other in an adult context rather than
being focused on the continual supervision of their children during the
visit. They also
have the opportunity to receive information regarding other services which may
be suitable for their children.
|
