By Linda Smith,
The Mercury
Wednesday June 12, 2013
A NEW accommodation unit aimed at making life easier for families of Risdon Prison inmates has opened in Hobart.
Hillside Haven is on church land a short distance from the prison and will provide subsidised accommodation for families who have to travel long distances to visit prisoners.
Figures show that about half of the Risdon Prison inmates have families and loved ones in rural and regional Tasmania. These inmates receive fewer visits than prisoners with family in Hobart because of the time and costs involved. But it is hoped the Hillside Haven project, which is a joint initiative of the Tasmanian Community Fund and the Christian Family Centre will encourage more visits.
The facility aims to build better family bonds and help children who have parents in prison to spend more time with their loved ones. It will also reduce driver fatigue among those who have to travel from the North and North-West to visit their loved ones.
Members of non-profit organisations involved in running programs at the prison will also be able to use the facility for overnight stays when the unit is not is not needed by families.
Tasmanian Community fund chairperson Lynn Mason said the accommodation, which was modelled on a similar facility built in Victoria, was an important component of a long term strategy to stabilise families of prisoners in Tasmania.