PSN LECTURE SERIES 2019

Following a successful series of lectures last year, Presbyterian Support Northern is delighted to welcome international experts in social policy and implementation to New Zealand in 2019.

Speakers from the US and UK will discuss a series of topics including mothers in prison, mental health in schools, children in conflict situations and family violence prevention.

Free public lectures will be held in Wellington with smaller, invitation-only sessions in Auckland.

Experts will also meet with relevant Members of Parliament and opposition MPs to discuss how to apply best practice to a New Zealand context.

Reducing re-offending for women with babies and young children, within a safety-first context.

Presented by Shelith Hansbro, Warden at Decatur Correctional Center

Shelith is a warden in the The Moms and Babies Program at the Decatur Correctional Center, part of the Illinois Department of Corrections in the USA.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Shelith commented that “…if there is going to be anything that keeps women from reoffending, it’s going to be their bonds with their children.”

The Moms and Babies Program allows qualified mothers to keep their newborn babies with them and supports the incarcerated mother in developing and nurturing a bond with her infant. More than 90 women have gone through the programme in 11 years. As of December 2018, the program had an 80 percent success rate

Shelith has been with the facility since 2010. She is responsible for running the facility, mentoring staff and day-to-day management.

Mothers selected for the programme must meet the following criteria:

• they must be in prison for non-violent offences, and

• they must have a sentence that is expected to end no more than two years since the child is brought into the facility.

The women and their infants live separately from the general prison. They share a cell that includes a crib, changing table and murals. The cells are not barred and women are not handcuffed, and there are shared places for children and mothers to interact and play.

The programme offers “tough love” to inmates, starting with basic parenting programmes and including academic classes, life skills and drug and alcohol counselling.

In the US, the number of women in prison has grown rapidly, at a pace that outpaces the increase in the male population by almost 50%. New Zealand has seen a similar trend with rising numbers of female inmates causing prisons to be re-opened to accommodate them.

New Zealand has three Mothers with Babies Units, in Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, Arohata Prison (Wellington) and Christchurch Women’s Prison.

THE PROGRAMME

12.00 Doors open

12.15pm Arrival, light snacks provided

12.30pm Presentation by Shelith Hansbro

1.15pm Q&A Session

1.30pm Close

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Location:
Best way to find us is:
Wharewaka Function Centre (Black building) on Frank Kitts Lagoon
2 Taranaki St
Taranaki St Wharf
Odlins Square
Harbourside entrance is nice and easy access for our Top Floor Rooms:
Matiu, Te Puni, Mokopuna

Vehicle access: However access to the waterfront is via the Taranaki St Wharf entrance to “pack in” is gained by calling our main office 04 499 8180, via the cable street entrance to the wharf. A loading zone is located by our building – however there is no parking available by the building.
To its west is Frank Kitts Lagoon and to the east of New Zealands National Museum, Te Papa.

Car parking: Cable Street – Wilsons Parking, this is located across the road from Te Papa, 2 minute walks to us.
Te Papa – Same side of road as us 1-2 minute walk
http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/VisitingTePapa/Parking/Pages/Parkingspecials.aspx

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

The printed ticket allows us to easily register you at the event however we will also have a physical list that we will be able to use to sign you in.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

Yes, it's ok to give the ticket to someone else.