Teegan Hartwick turns her life around after three years in women’s prison

Teegan Hartwick spent three years behind bars for a serious crime and raised her baby girl in jail. She is now determined to show others in prison that there is hope on the other side.

Geelong mum Teegan Hartwick spent three years and three months in jail and is now helping others turn their lives around after incarceration. Picture: Alison Wynd

Teegan Hartwick didn’t think she would spend a day behind bars after a jealous rampage nine years ago.

She never believed she would raise her baby girl in jail.

But after three years inside a women’s prison, she says it was the time she needed to heal and turn her life around.

A judge described her crime as “serious offending” and after serving her punishment, the mother of two from Geelong is determined to not let it define her and show others there is hope on the other side.

Teegan was 31-years-old when she drove her car at her ex-partner’s female friend in July 2015.

The victim’s leg was crushed, exposing the bones and muscle tissue.

She then kicked the victim’s leg multiple times while she called for help.

Now 39-year-old, Teegan believes she was “naive” as she didn’t think she would spend any time behind bars.

“I look back at my crime and my issue was (my emotions) boiled up and exploded,” she said.

“My lawyer said I would be going to prison but I thought I would only get 18 months.”

In a Melbourne County Court in October 2016, Judge Paul Grant sentenced Ms Hartwick to five years and nine months in jail, with a non-parole period of three years and three months.

“As soon as you’re sentenced, you’re whisked away,” Teegan said.

“I remember looking at the people in the courtroom and asking them to tell my son that I love him.”

Teegan was taken to the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC), a maximum-security women’s prison in Deer Park.

“I was put in a holding cell for hours,” she said.

“I remember waking up the next morning and I started pacing the cell like I was claustrophobic.

“These officers came to the cell and they looked through the little hole and said it was going to be okay but to get all my tears out now.”

Her children arrived the next day, five-month old Meilah to stay with her mum in jail but nine-year-old William had to say goodbye.

“They let us play basketball together in this little yard and I said to (William) I’m going to be away for a few years,” Teegan said.

“I tried to break three years into months and days for him.”

Teegan spent about a month at the DPFC before she and Meilah were transferred to Tarrengower Prison, a minimum-security prison near Maldon.

Despite being classed as a serious violent offender in prison, their daily routine was simple.

They would wake up, get dressed and head outside so Meilah could have a play before coming back for lunch and her nap.

Now eight years old, Meilah had spent about half her life inside a prison.

“I remember her first birthday, the whole compound came and they all made things for her,” Teegan said.

“She didn’t have confectionery or watch TV until she was four.

“I feel that some of her happiest moments were in prison, she could just be a kid.

“There were only a small number of children there at a time and sometimes Meilah was the only one.

“She was actually quite therapeutic to some of the females.”

Teegan and her daughter at Tarrengower Prison. Picture: Supplied

But while she was raising her daughter in prison, the “hardest part” was leaving her son on the outside.

“It felt like post-natal depression,” she said.

“I believe everything happens for a reason but I will always sit back and wonder what that reason was for my son.

“He couldn’t understand why he couldn’t come in but Meilah could.”

Teegan said her time in prison allowed her to heal but it was many months before she was able to process her emotions.

“I remember standing in the compound 18 months in and I looked up at the sky, it was a beautiful day and I was still so angry,” she said.

“I still had so much hurt and anger.

“As much as I’m an impatient person, time heals so much.

“I’m able to process so much more now and stay calmer, I’ve become more passive but I used to be so aggressive.”

Teegan served her minimum sentence behind bars but said prison felt “safe” to her.

“If hadn’t wanted to come home to my son, I would have served my whole time because I had become so comfortable in the system,” she said.

On the day of her release in 2020, Teegan said she was too scared to walk out the gates.

“You would think I would have been running out but I was so terrified to leave,” she said.

“The officer looked at me and he said to remember that life was on my terms and everything was my choice.”

Teegan said the few first day post-release were “surreal”.

“When I came home, I couldn’t sleep because I was scared there was someone on my roof or in the cupboards because in prison we were locked in.

“I was very anxious to be back in the real world and that took a long time to get over.”

Teegan Hartwick with her children. Picture: Supplied

Released just before Covid lockdowns, it was Teegan’s parole officer who suggested she study.

She completed certificates in community services, mental health and alcohol and other drugs.

Teegan said studying was daunting but she said it led her to discover who she wanted to be.

She completed placement at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, where she was later offered a job.

“I’m so grateful I got given a chance, because it opened up so much for me,” Teegan said.

Her boss, David Forbes, said Teegan had shown clients that incarceration didn’t have to define them.

“Teegan is an example that you can move forward if you’re given the right opportunities

“Isn’t the whole point of incarceration to rehabilitate?

“Judging and labelling people who have come out of the system is only going to have a negative impact.”

Geelong mum Teegan Hartwick spent three years and three months in jail and is now helping others turn their lives around after incarceration. Picture: Alison Wynd

Teegan works with Reboot, a program helping those incarcerated find employment post-release.

“Employment is so important and if they don’t get employment or have secure housing, chances are they are going to recommit,” she said.

“I want them to know that anything is possible, to be able to get a job and do better.”

Teegan hopes to show others their lives aren’t defined by their time behind bars.

“I want to spread hope because if you don’t have hope you have nothing,” she said.

“There is this quote I live by, I had it with me the whole time I was in prison.

“Nelson Mandela said ‘as I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.’

“If you don’t let go, you’ll be in your own prison.”

“If you see someone doing that, you have belief you can do it yourself.”

The Geelong Advertiser tried to reach out to the victim of Teegan’s crime through the Department of Justice and Community Safety but a spokeswoman said it could not facilitate contact.

Originally published as Teegan Hartwick turns her life around after three years in women’s prison