Press Releases

2 November 2021

SHINE for Kids is pleased to announce we have received funding from Corrective Services NSW to deliver our evidence based-parenting program Keeping Us Together (KUT) in partnership with the NSW Government to sentenced mothers at Dillwynia and Emu Plains Correctional Centres.

This funding is in alignment with the Premier’s Priority to reduce adult reoffending by 5% by 2023 through a number of measures, including providing access to better programs to support women in prison who are parents.

Currently 50% of women in prison in NSW have at least one child under 16 and many women suffered childhood trauma. The program aims to reduce the distress and trauma caused by the separation of parent and child, support children visiting their mother in a prison setting and equip women with the skills to return to a parenting role on release.

The program also aims to break intergenerational cycles of crime by enabling women to maintain the vital child-parent bond, shown to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for children. We know from the Lord Farmer Report in the UK that just by maintaining family connections, we can reduce recidivism by 39%.

The funding also demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to address the complex issue of parental incarceration following the establishment of the NSW Inquiry into Support for Children of Imprisoned Parents. SHINE for Kids entered a submission to the inquiry and appeared at a hearing earlier this year which you can read the transcript of here.

Keeping Us Together is currently successfully operating in 5 women’s prisons in QLD in partnership with Queensland Corrections, Department Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs. Our early outcomes data shows the great benefit of the program for participants with 88% reporting they now feel positive about their future and the future of their children.

“Keeping Us Together supports Mums to reflect on their own childhood and put practical strategies in place for when they return home to their children”, said April Long, National Operations Manager, SHINE for Kids.

SHINE for Kids is the only national charity providing crucial support to children and young people with incarcerated parents or relatives and has been operating for almost 40 years.

For all media enquiries, please contact Sophie Zoellner at szoellner@shineforkids.org.au