The memory of former Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin will be honoured in the names of two new minimum security units at the women’s prison at Risdon Vale.
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In the 2017-18 state budget, $2.6 million in funding was committed to the Dr Vanessa Goodwin cottages, construction of which commenced in March.
Dr Goodwin died in March, roughly a year after she was diagnosed with brain tumours.
The union representing prison staff has previously described the current Tasmanian prison system as a “pressure cooker”, citing perceived overcrowding and persistent lockdowns.
On Sunday, Attorney-General Elise Archer said it was a “privilege” to announce the naming of the new units “in honour of my friend and colleague”.
The facilities will provide an additional 25 minimum security beds for female prisoners.
They will include a five-bed mother and baby unit, which, Ms Archer said, would “provide a safe and specially designed environment for new mothers, pregnant women and new born babies”.
“Vanessa dedicated a lot of her own studies to families in the criminal justice system,” Ms Archer said.
“Children of female prisoners, in particular, are often the hidden victims in crime.
“It’s really important that mother and baby do attach so that they have better prospects of rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community.”
Director of Prisons Ian Thomas said the number of pregnant prisoners at the prison had increased “to a degree” over the past 12 months.
“[This is] an element of future-proofing but also making sure we’ve got the accommodation for prisoners to address their rehabilitation and maintain those family ties, which are critical in a child’s early age,” Mr Thomas said of the new mother and baby unit.
Dr Goodwin’s cousin Maggie Saunders said the name of the new minimum security units would be “something we can look back on in her memory”.
“It’s something [building a mother and baby unit] she wanted to do and it’s really nice to see it come into fruition,” Ms Saunders said.
“It’s very special for us.”