As a person with friends and family behind bars, I know what it's like to have those precious visiting moments few and far between - moments that have proven beneficial for the inmates' mental health, and critical to their rehabilitation process.

Across prisons in New Zealand, access to family days is starkly limited. Families are allowed a maximum of two family days per year which usually doesn’t even happen, if they do they last no more than two hours. For myriad families like mine, this policy is unjust and detracts from the valuable role family support plays in the overall wellbeing and rehabilitation of prisoners. Most the “family days” children aren’t allowed to attend. 

Research shows that visits from family members can help reduce prisoners’ depressive symptoms, support rehabilitation and reintegration (The Guardian, 2019). Moreover, regular family contact for prisoners has been linked to a reduction in re-offending rates (Ministry of Justice UK, 2012). Family bonding and normality for children helps reduce depression, suicide rates, violence and reduces the risk that they too end up incarcerated. Despite this evidence, New Zealand's policy provides inadequate time for such critical interactions.

This campaign aims for a change in New Zealand prisons' policy to allow for regular family days, beyond graduation, and beyond the current two visits a year restriction which usually only occurs once every few years. It also calls for extended visiting hours (3+ hours instead) and flexibility to facilitate visits on special occasions such as Easter or Christmas. 

Allowing prisoners more regular, extended access to their loved ones not only bolsters their individual rehabilitation but also is a significant step toward a more compassionate and effective penal system in New Zealand. Especially for innocent children who are suffering and missing out on years they can never get back with their incarcerated parent or loved one. It is basic human rights and children’s rights to have a proper relationship with their parent. Let's lead with empathy, not punishment. 

Please sign this petition and support our movement for change.