Children in prison

Sue Bradford's bill to allow women to keep their child in prison up until the age of two was sent unanimously to select committee last night. I support this move only because prison would appear to be the safer option for these children. Given the social environments their mothers come out of there is often nobody better to care for them.

BUT each situation should still be treated on a case by case basis. If there was a willing and stable alternative caregiver eg a grandparent, that person should be preferred. The child's interests should take precedence over the mothers. It isn't easy getting into prison. In most cases the mother will have already been given and failed to take second, third etc chances.

But many questions remain. What about a mother with an existing baby at the time of incarceration. A one year-old perhaps. Will that child be housed in prison or does the bill only apply to newborns?

If the woman is in for a very long sentence wouldn't it be better for the baby to be bonding with someone else?

What about the father? Where are his rights in the hierarchal order? If he is a perfectly good father (not highly likely) does her right to breastfeed take precedence over his desire for custody?

It'll be an interesting debate.