Corrections boss apologises to families after email sent barring kids under 12 from visiting family in prison due to Covid

‘What do I tell my child?: Apology issued to distressed parents after being told kids would be bared from prison visits.

THE NT Corrections Commissioner has apologised to distressed families who were told children would be barred from visiting their parents in jail.

Prisoners, families and staff were told children under 12 would not be allowed to visit the Darwin Correctional Centre under tightened Covid rules.

The email to prisoners and staff on Thursday November 4 said since children under 12 were too young to be vaccinated they could not visit their incarcerated parents.

Acting Commissioner David Thompson said on Monday that information sent out was incorrect and quickly walked back the ban on the young kids.

“I sincerely apologise and understand this may have caused some confusion for prisoners, their families and my staff,” Mr Thompson said.

“The situation has now been clarified.”

Despite not being active in the NT, children of prisoners support group Shine For Kids said it received frantic calls from Darwin parents and social workers over the lockout rule.

National operations manager April Long said they were contacted by a worried mother of a five-year-old girl whose partner was on remand.

“What do I tell my child?” the mother asked Ms Long.

Ms Long said a Legal Aid social worker called concerned about parents inside the centre who were distraught over the news they would not be able to see their kids.

“When a family member goes to prison it’s a period of uncertainty,” Ms Long said.

She said for families visits were a small piece of certainty and comfort.

“That email took away that assurance,” she said.

“(For young kids) it’s akin to losing a parent and they’re asking ‘why can’t I see Dad?’.

“Any health measures should be proportionate to the risks.”

Ms Long said face-to-face visits had been suspended in other states during Covid outbreaks, often replaced with online video meetings.

“(But) it’s not the same as a hug,” she said.

Ms Lang said she was not aware of any specific services for children with parents in custody in the Northern Territory and called for more support for this vulnerable group.

“We say they’re the invisible victims of crime, they’re not considered.”

Originally published as Corrections boss apologises to families after email sent barring kids under 12 from visiting family in prison due to Covid