 |
|
 |
YouTube |
|
|
 |
Facebook |
|
|
 |
Twitter |
|
|
 |
LinkedIn |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Easing the pain for prison visitors
|
|
|
|
|
February 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
Essendon resident Rosy Buchanan spends six hours a month at Port Phillip Prison in Laverton.
Neither a visitor nor a staff member, the mother of five provides refreshments, information and support to friends and family members of prisoners at a Visitor Resource Centre set up near the prison's reception.
The centre has been established to provide emotional support, reassurance and information to people visiting prisoners, an experience that can be daunting and unsettling, particularly for the first time.
A whole new experience
Having joined the service in March 2008, Rosy says the training and experience opened her eyes to the complex issues surrounding prisoners and their loved ones. |
 |
Rosy and Stephen at the Red Cross Visitor Resource Centre |
'This was all completely new to me,' Rosy said. 'I learnt a lot about the penal system through the training process. From my point of view, I was looking at it as if I was in someone else's shoes and someone I knew was incarcerated – how would I be able to cope with that situation?
'The theme of the message was to be a non-judgemental friendly face that someone saw when they arrived at the prison. That really came through in the training and I know for me that it would be nice to see a friendly face,' she said.
The successful service is the result of a joint partnership between Red Cross, the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (VACRO) and Port Phillip Prison and is based on research that shows prisoners are less likely to reoffend if family links are maintained during their sentence. More than 1100 people have visited the Port Phillip Visitor Resource Centre since it was established in August 2007 and the success of the service has paved the way for a second centre, which was launched in November at Fulham Correctional Centre, located near Sale.
Volunteers are well supported and provided with a six-week training course (one half-day each week), orientation around the prison, and communication and problem-solving training. As well as a friendly face and the offer of a cup of tea, volunteers let first-time visitors know what they can expect during their visit –- describing the security screening procedure, the difference between contact and non-contact visits, the physical environment and permitted behaviour, such as being able to embrace or kiss during a contact visit. They also provide brochures and referrals to specialist support where necessary and provide activities for children.
A non-judgemental friendly face
'The feedback so far is that people really appreciate the service,' Rosy said. 'One comment we received referred to the tenderness of just having someone there to ask them how they are going.
'From our perspective, it doesn't matter what happens or has happened; we support people and we don't pass judgement,' she said.
'These people have often experienced pretty hard times at home and in their own communities. The one thing that Red Cross doesn't do is judge people. It's amazing how making a cup of tea for someone and having a chat can make such a difference, but it does. That's why I will keep doing it for as long as I can.'
It's also the reason that Rosy decided to dedicate three hours to working at the centre on Christmas Day.
Care when it's needed most
'We knew that it was going to be a big day,' Rosy said.
'People had travelled very long distances that day. We were able to offer them chocolate biscuits and a chat and really tried to make the day a little more special for them.
'It was a protection morning, which means that only a certain amount of people are allowed to visit particular prisoners. A lot of people arrived to find that they weren't allowed in. There was a lot of emotion around this and we tried to support them as best we could when they found out they wouldn't be able to see their family members for Christmas,' she said.
Rosy was joined on Christmas Day by volunteer Stephen Herd and Judd Kilkenny, Red Cross Project Officer with the Prisoner Support Program.
'It is really amazing to see the dedication and compassion constantly on display from our volunteers,' Judd said.
'This approach has received a really positive response from visitors to the centre. The strongest message we are receiving from clients is that it's great to be recognised and acknowledged,' he said.
The beauty of human nature
For Rosy, while the job can be tough at times, the overall experience has given her a lot back.
'I have volunteered before, but not with Red Cross,' Rosy said. This would be one of the most rewarding experiences I have been involved in. It has opened my eyes to the beauty of human nature.'
Red Cross is seeking volunteers for the Port Phillip Prison and Fulham Correctional Centre. Contact Judd Kilkenny on 03 8327 7726 or email jkillkenny@redcross.org.au to register your interest or for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
