Better care changes the lives of inmate mums, their children

Sharjah/Ajman - They are given care that is similar to what is provided at home

Children living in the reformatory and punitive establishments in Ajman and Sharjah are being raised in a loving and caring environment, say officials.
They are given care that is similar to what is provided at home. Mothers are allowed to spend time with the children daily so they can share the attachment and maternal love during infancy and childhood.
The establishments in both the emirates have initiated nurseries which are equipped with cribs, breastfeeding chairs, colourful curtains, play areas and all other babies' items and toys. Baby food and milk formula are also being supplied to children in the nurseries in which well-trained care givers are assigned to provide all kind of care to the children and their mothers.
For them, UAE jails are just play areas   
In Sharjah, the Reformatory and Punitive Establishment (SRPE) has initiated Dar Al Man nursery in coordination with the Department of Social Services Sharjah (DSSS) in 2008 to provide necessary care for children between two and five years.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mariam Ismail, Director of Dar Al Man, said that currently there are 20 children of women inmates. "The children of inmates will be handed over to their mothers when the latter complete their jail term. The centre also provides care for children of Emirati inmates even after their release from jails," Mariam added.
The centre also ensures that rights of these children are protected by providing them with necessary documents for pursuing education and to enjoy benefits of health and social services.
"We also coordinate with the departments concerned to pay their school fees and provide training to all inmates to gain skills so that they can start some projects that help them earn an income," said Mariam.
"The services provided to the children are aimed at making their mothers feel that lives of their children are normal."
The centre also allows the inmates to breastfeed their babies in a convenient atmosphere and also provides vaccines and health services by issuing them health cards.
It teaches the mothers to take proper care of their children and to cope with the changes in the society. "The children of inmate mothers are being raised in a decent atmosphere, as the babies sleep in cribs in the nursery and the mothers can spend as much as time they want with them," she commented.
Mariam added that the primary objective of the prison nursery is to create a stronger attachment between the mother and the child as this will make the mother commit less crimes.
"Mothers in cells have strong ties with their families and this provides a greater chance for positive rehabilitation," she added.
The nursery programme facilitates this relationship by creating a supportive environment for development of a powerful bond between the mother and her children.
Since female inmates in prison nursery have few other obligations, children have almost continual contact with their mothers and the ensuing relationship tends to be extremely close.
The nursery also provides parenting education and treatment programmes which is aimed at creating an opportunity for a substantive change in the mother's lifestyle following her release.
Besides providing comprehensive care and daily needs for children such as clothing, nutrition and supervision of breastfeeding, the overall health of the children is also taken care of.
Col Khalifa Al Merri, Director of SRPE, said that the nursery, since its establishment, has raised a number of children who have left the prison with their mothers after they completed their prison term. "They enjoy the maternal love and affection. This promotes psychological development, maximises emotional stability and will increase the child's intellectual capabilities," he said.
In Ajman, the case is different, according to a top official. The nursery is being managed by the Ajman Police which provide all necessary services and care.
The official said that the female inmates have never been separated from their children. The children behind the bars include infants and those aged up to seven years. There is a well-equipped nursery that includes beds, play areas and feeding areas. There are also nannies and teachers to take care of the children.
The Ajman Police are planning an expansion of the nurseries to accommodate more than 160 children during this year. A new facility will be established for childcare to ensure that the children of the inmates are growing in a decent environment.
He explained that rehabilitation centre of Ajman Reformatory and Punitive Establishment (ARPE) facilitates psychological and social rehabilitation of the inmate mothers and also makes great efforts to encourage them to integrate themselves with society when they complete their jail term. Proper raising methods are taught for their children to prepare them for the future.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
'I'm scared of my son's future'
Amira Agarib
"My child receives good care but I do not like him to live behind the bars," says a 30-year-old mother whose son is living with her in the jail.
The boy is now two-year-old. She told Khaleej Times that she regrets committing the crime as her son is forced to live in prison. "I do not want my son to live behind the bars, without seeing the outside world. I have to serve a long jail term and I am so scared for my son's future. I am also afraid of what he will think about me and what excuse I am going to give him when he grows up," she said. "I would prefer my son to live outside the prison but the problem is that I have no family member in the UAE who can take care of him."
There are several similar cases in the jails across the UAE. Many people ask about the legal position in cases if woman is pregnant and has committed a crime worthy of sending her to jail and later delivering behind bars.
Legal experts suggest the court does not take custody of the child in mind if the woman is found guilty. So while she is in jail, the woman can take care of her child.
Female inmates have the right to request to take care of their children themselves while in prison and the judge can consider this request.
In Dubai Central Prison, there is a special place for women and their newborn babies and there is a special section for pregnant women.
As for the death penalty, the law stipulates that execution of the capital punishment would be postponed until the woman delivers the child and breastfeeds for two years.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
They all are a big family
Amira Agarib
Jameela Al Zaabi, Director of the Women's Prison in Dubai, said that all women inmates live together in the prison as a family that lives in a big house with children, despite the fact that they are of different nationalities, religions and background.
"They live in an atmosphere of respect, intimacy and togetherness, and participate in all events. They even have collective meals and are involved in various competitions.
Currently, 300 inmates with 45 children of different ages are residing in the women's prison.
She said that the youngest child in the prison is five months old and the eldest is a 12-year-old boy whose case is special since the mother has no one to take care of him outside the prison.
"The women dress up well and freely walk around with their children," she added.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
Nursery up to two years of age
Amira Agarib
In Dubai, children are allowed to stay in the nursery for two years after which they are handed over to their mother within the jail or to the father or the family. But there are some children living behind the bars even after the age of two years as their mothers have no available family members to take care of them. Most of them from Arab, African and Asian countries.
The nursery has contributed in bringing happiness to children who can live with their mothers and lead a near to normal life inside the prison.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
  A gift from God
S.R, an Indonesian woman serving her jail term in Sharjah for sex out of wedlock visits her illegitimate baby three times per day for breastfeeding. She has been encouraged by the caregivers who tell her that it is necessary to breastfeed the baby.
A Filipino woman, who gave birth to her baby while serving a jail term for adultery, said that she would never leave her child and abandon him in street as "he is a gift from God." She expressed appreciation for support that she received from the SRPE and DSSS.
 

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