Like a lot of brothers who share a close bond, Tim, and his big brother Simon, enjoyed playing sports and video games together. However, when Tim was about nine and half years old, his older brother, who used to pick him up from school, was incarcerated. Although their relationship took a few twists and turns while Simon served his sentence, the brotherly connection remained.

It was an addiction to drugs that led to Simon becoming disconnected from his family. As Simon began to prepare to be released from prison at 30 years of age, he turned his attention to reconnecting with his family. He was determined to rebuild his relationship with Tim, now 11 years old. With the goal of getting back to a place where he could be a positive role model, and present in Tim’s daily life, Simon reached out to the Family Visits program.

Through this program, people in prison are supported to connect with their families in the community through supported video ‘visits. These visits are a way for people in prison to learn and practice strategies that support them to play a meaningful role in their family’s lives. In turn, having positive, significant relationships leading to successful reintegration.

When he started, it was just Simon and his mum, Stacey, who would meet over Zoom. At that time, Tim was reluctant to get involved and at most, would only offer brief greetings when Simon would call home. The 18-months that his brother was ‘away’ was a long time in Tim’s young life. So, initially, the focus of the meetings was on improving Simon and Stacey’s communication and understanding of one another as they prepared for his return home.

Stacey was upfront, explaining she felt she had to continue to parent Simon, even though he’s an adult. Equally, Simon expressed that what he needs is positive support rather than to “be kicked when I’m down.” The Family Visits support worker coached Simon to recognise that retreating from difficult conversations was a pattern of his, a pattern that led to him being isolated. For Simon,
learning more effective communication and conflict resolution strategies was necessary. He was able to learn and practice these skills during the video visits.

In time, as Simon and Stacey’s communication improved, Tim indicated he was ready to be more involved in the visits. The support worker set up an activity that Simon and Tim could do together with Simon demonstrating the activity. Connecting this way was highly successful, and the brothers began chatting with Tim proactively starting conversations. They spent way longer than expected on their video visit and Tim took the call into his room so he could do a ‘show and tell’ of what is currently important
and exciting for him.

The final video visit before Simon’s release involved Simon, his mum, and his brother. In this visit, Simon was able to clearly identify the help he would need from his mum in those first few days after release. Stacey, for her part, understood what was going on with Simon, and how she would positively support him. As for Tim, he was his most relaxed yet, joking around and dancing while he was interacting with Simon.

Although it was the final video visit, it was the beginning of a new relationship for Simon and his family. This video visit marked Simon’s commitment to positively contributing to his family again, changing the way he saw himself.

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