By Belinda Nolan
AN INNOVATIVE prison day care and playgroup is allowing criminal mums to bond with their children behind the barbed wire.
Developed in partnership between Melton Shire Council and the Deer Park’s Dame Phyllis Frost Women’s Prison, the “Mum and Me” program allows children to live in custody with their imprisoned mothers.
As part of the project, council provides a range of early years services to the prison, including family day care, a playgroup and regular visits from Maternal and Child Health nurses.
Melton children’s services manager Vicky Matthews said the program aimed to bring children’s services to prison mums, who would otherwise be unable to access them. The centre’s playgroup runs once a week for 90 minutes and is open to all mothers, children and pregnant women living behind bars.
The family day care allows relatives and carers to take children to day care centres outside the prison in a bid to encourage social interaction with others.
The program was highly commended by the State Government at the Victorian Early Years Awards last month after being named a finalist in the “Partnerships with Families and Communities” category.
Melton Shire mayor Justin Mammarella said the award was recognition of the hard work and commitment of the council and prison staff.
“Melton Shire Council is committed to providing early years services for all families in our municipality, regardless of their circumstances, and this award recognises the innovative work being undertaken in this area,” Cr Mammarella said.
Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand presented the awards during a ceremony at the National Gallery of Victoria on 27 October.
