Slipping through the cracks: Examining the realities of a child-friendly prison system

INTRODUCTION: The health effects for children with incarcerated parents, and methods to improve children's experience of the justice system, are under-researched areas. While some work has been done to illuminate these concerns, practical implementation of a “child-friendly prison” has been slow. AIMS: A Health Directorate-funded project examining children's interactions with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) justice system was conducted in 2013, which made a number of recommendations. The current study sought to examine the ongoing impacts of parental incarceration for children in the ACT and follow up on the recommendations. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven key stakeholders with a relationship to the research area. The interviews were summarised, and a thematic analysis was carried out to identify relevant ideas. Results from recent Detainee Health and Welfare Surveys were used to estimate the number of children affected. RESULTS: The findings from the interviews concluded that little action was taken in response to the original report, that children's rights and agency were compromised, that the prison lacked accessibility, that consistent and individualised information should be provided to affected children, and that a previously operational homework program should be reinstated. Model facilities were identified. CONCLUSION: Three broadly-applicable recommendations were made in response to the data from the surveys: increasing accessibility of public transport, the establishment of a child liaison officer at prisons, and maintaining extended family visits