Tool 5: Places of Deprivation of Liberty and Gender Box 16: Access to programmes for mothers with babies in Georgia As part of a project to improve services for women in prison who have experienced violence and discrimination and their vulnerable children, in Georgia measures were introduced to allow women with children in prison to access opportunities for selfimprovement. Twice a week a dedicated childminder supervises the children of women in prison, allowing the mothers time to attend rehabilitation and offending-behaviour courses, training or education courses, or for respite or to attend to other important matters. The childminder also provides advice on child development and upbringing. A psychologist from the Georgian Association of Professional Psychologists visits once a week and conducts individual and group sessions. Psychologists said the most notable impact of their work with the target group was that women are given a space for emotional release and expression. The counselling provides them with hope and a feeling that they are not alone, as well as helping them become more self-assured and assertive. In an evaluation of the project, the mothers interviewed said both the psychologists and the childminder were very helpful. Respondents from the Ministry of Corrections and the National Probation Agency also commended the work of the childminder in allowing mothers time for rehabilitation and looking after their own needs, and mothers commented that they would like this to happen even more. Source: J. Rice and N. Shatberashvili (2018) “Supporting the improvement of service provision for women offenders who have experienced violence and discrimination and their vulnerable children”, London: Penal Reform International, May, p. 17. or library facilities as well as detainees, although there are usually separate and allotted times. For example, after a daycare centre was introduced in a women’s prison in Hyderabad, Pakistan, to allow children to receive schooling and give mothers a chance to engage in other activities, staff expressed their need and desire to have this service available for their children. The prison director listened and consented to the requests. Staff showed no hesitation about their children studying side by side with children of prisoners, and the children are able to play, learn and grow together as a community.25 Where staff believe in and appreciate a project, there is a much greater chance of long-term success. It is thus advisable, where appropriate, to offer assistance to staff, and to apply a gender perspective in doing so. Visits and community contact A recent study revealed that prisoners felt the worst depression and lowest sense of morale in prisons where authoritarian structures and negative staff–prisoner relationships were reported, and women felt stigmatized and isolated from caring relationships. The opposite was true when facilities connected prisoners with the outside community, “from NGOs and spiritual organisations to family members and children – and gave them the tools to cope, communicate and prepare for the future”.26 A study in England and Wales suggested that prisoners visited by family or friends are less likely to reoffend (52 per cent) than those who do not receive visits (70 per cent).27 Policies for visits should actively promote family contact and help to create connections to the community. It should never be forgotten that visits, especially with close family members, are not to be regarded as privileges but rather as a basic human right.28 It is important to provide a safe women-only space in prison where prisoners can meet with visitors, as this can “build self-esteem and propel many female prisoners to turn their 41