As experts in the reintegration space, we know how important it is for families to maintain strong connections on either side of the prison gate. Sometimes, that's easier said than done. 

Meet Tom, he's in his early 30s and serving a sentence in Victoria. His family dynamics are complex. Growing up, Tom experienced family violence, with his parents, at times, being incarcerated. This led to Child Protection (CP) stepping in and Tom being moved to out-of-home care. Now an adult, Tom has contact with his parents and siblings, but the only family member he can rely on for support is an aunty, who does her best to help Tom and his son, Wade, stay connected. 

Wade is five years old and is being raise by members of his extended family. Tom knows that CP has planned for Wade to be in care long term and will not be in his care when released. It's important to Tom to have a relationship with his son, especially for Wade to know that his dad loves him and has never given up on him.

Before Tom was referred to our Family Visits program, he faced significant barriers to engaging with Child Protection. With Wade not having an allocated case worker, Tom didn't know who to contact. Not only are phone calls from prison costly (and limited to 12 minutes), but there is also not a free-call number for people in prison to contact CP. Thanks to his aunty in the community, Tom was provided with a direct number for Child Protection. Unfortunately, the CP practitioner needs to be available to answer at the time of his call, so this barrier is only partially resolved. 

Things started to change once Tom became involved in our Family Visits program, however, the path wasn't completely smooth. Claire, the Family Support Worker, immediately contacted Child Protection to seek recommencement of contact visits between Tom and Wade, with the support of the Family Visits program. Within one week, Claire had confirmation from CP that fortnightly video visits were being planned for Tom and Wade. On one hand that was great news, however, because Wade didn't have an allocated case worker, further consultation with the wider team needed to take place, first. 

After months of phone messages and emails to CP going unanswered, Tom was finally able to speak directly with Frances, a CP practitioner, and share how difficult it is for him to reach her from prison. Although a commitment was made to provide Tom with monthly updates about Wade, it didn't eventuate. Unfortunately, the video visits were put on hold as input was sought from Wade's care team. 

Over the next four months, our Family Visits Program Manager advocated to CP on behalf of Tom. Meanwhile, Claire continued to meet with Tom regularly to provide updates and to reassure him that he was still being advocated for. 

In time, CP recommended to reduce contact between Wade and his dad to only four times a year. Tom had mixed feelings about this. He was pleased that contact would finally recommence, but only four visits a year wasn't much. At the same time, Claire was concerned about how this would impact Tom and Wade's ability to have a positive relationship. Tom and Claire met and prepared to have the decision reviewed. 

With Claire's support, Tom asked for a review by drafting a letter that was clear and factual. His request was reviewed and upheld. Contact with Wade was increased from four times a year to monthly visits. 

About nine months after Tom first became involved in our Family Visits program, Wade finally had a community-based, family case worker, Stacey. Stacey's involvement helped facilitate communication between Wade and Tom. Not only was Wade receiving the mail Tom had sent to him via CP, but Tom received photos of Wade for the first time in over a year. Stacey keeps Tom updated on how neurodivergence represents in Wade so he can communicate with Wade in ways that are supportive. 

Although it's been more than a year, Tom and Wade are finally going to see one another again.

Unfortunately, some children have a tough go when it comes to maintaining a safe and positive relationship with a parent who is in prison. As in Tom's case, when the case workers, CP practitioners, and of course, our Family Visits team, can communicate and work together, we really can advocate for good outcomes for the whole family, and in turn, build stronger communities.