Bradford's battling for jail babies

Green MP Sue Bradford is seeking political support for a law change which would enable mothers to keep their babies with them in prison until they reach the age of 2.

Under present law, the time limit is six months.

Ms Bradford had her Corrections (Mothers of Babies) Amendment Bill drawn in the private members bill ballot yesterday.

The bill also seeks to secure a mother's right to breastfeed in prison.

Ms Bradford said that was sought after anecdotal reports that some mothers were denied the right, through disciplinary procedures.

She has not yet checked to see whether she can gain enough support to get the bill passed.

A spokesman for Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor said yesterday he had yet to see the bill.

National law and order spokesman Simon Power said his caucus had yet to discuss the matter.

"We've always said that the wellbeing of the child is important," he added.

Fellow National MP Katherine Rich has pushed for greater opportunities for mothers to bond with their babies in prison, arguing it can play a significant role in rehabilitation.

She said yesterday she wanted to take a good look at the bill before taking a position. However, she said that for some time Australia and Britain had allowed babies in prisons for up to two years, and the results had been "very good".

Eligibility criteria prevented some mothers having their babies with them and other conditions, such as non-smoking, were also imposed.

Mrs Rich said she was also aware of women being denied the right to breastfeed, which in one case had been "traumatic" for the mother.

Ms Bradford said only a small number of women and children were affected by the proposed change, which would make the baby's safety a prerequisite.

Mrs Rich said there had previously been staffing problems in some maternity units, preventing women from having their babies with them.

Corrections was unable to say last night how many babies were living with mothers in prison, but the assistant general manager for women's and specialist services, Bridget White, said 13 women were expected to give birth in prison.

Once they had given birth and where placement was considered "in the best interest of the child, some prisoners with babies under six months may be eligible to live in a self-case unit with their child".