How We Help

We have a team of lawyers who volunteer their time to visit mothers in every women’s prison in New Zealand to help mothers understand where their kids are, who is taking care of them, facilitate visits, keep in contact with them and understand what their responsibilities and rights are with their children.

When a mother goes to prison, depending on why she’s there, it’s important that she tries to stay connected with her children even though prison walls separate them.

While they’re in prison, there are different ways we can help mothers as appropriate to:

Know who is taking care of her children and keep in regular contact with them

Make phone calls and write letters to their children

Arrange their children to visit in prison

Work with Oranga Tamariki

Understand their rights to child support payments

Understand the family court process and help her through this

Figure out what to do about maternity care if she’s pregnant or has a baby while she’s in prison

Apply for protection orders to protect her children

Understand what it means if there’s a protection order against her

Our volunteer lawyers visit the prisons and meet with the mothers at no cost. Click here to join our team of volunteers and find out how you can help.