Resources
Resources for families
When a family member is incarcerated, it’s often a confusing and difficult time for children.
Parents and carers might not know what to expect, where to go for help or how to prepare children for their first visits with their loved one in custody. That’s why we’re here.
These resources are for young children, older children and families to help prepare for a visit to a prison and connect you with support that is available to your family.
Information in English
Your Visit – Older children and teenagers
Information in Arabic
Your Visit – Older children and teenagers
Information in Spanish
Your Visit – Older children and teenagers
Information in Vietnamese
Your Visit – Older children and teenagers
Useful external resources for parents and carers
The Sun Still Shines
This book was written by dads in the SHINE for Kids Storytime program at Clarence Correctional Centre, NSW, to bring comfort to their children and tells the story of a little boy with a dad in custody and of how they have a strong bond, even though they are apart.
This book is a joint initiative between SHINE for Kids, Green Fox Studio, and Serco.
Read the digital version of the book here.
Roar
Roar is a children’s storybook for pre-school aged children in out-of-home care. It depicts a lion cub who has big emotions when he spends time with his father and how a gorilla carer and bear caseworker help him understand these emotions and find ways to regulate and enjoy the time he and his father have together.
Roar can be downloaded here.
From the Research Centre for Children and Families (RCCF), University of Sydney
My Family Time is Mine, Every Question you’ve had about Family Time + tips and tricks to navigate it all, download here.
From the Research Centre for Children and Families (RCCF), University of Sydney
Creative Connection Ideas for Prison Visits
Creative ideas to encourage connection through a digital or physical screen. The digital screens of video visits will be discussed first; followed by closed prison visits (where a barrier may be a glass or perspex screen)
From Barnardo’s, download here [PDF].
The Right to Be Me
Created by Children’s Rights Queensland, this is a lovely picture book for children about their rights to a childhood. Read it here.
SHINE for Kids Story Book Staff Picks
Our team have selected their favourite books to support children going through separation from a parent and the complex emotions they are often struggling with.
Find our staff picks here