...that my blog post "Babies behind Bars" from yesterday has since been added to two separate paper.li publications.
The #Forensic Daily - http://paper.li/tag/Forensic
and The Therapy Fun Zone Daily - http://paper.li/therapyfunzone#!education
Until today I had not heard of these two publications of even paper.li but what a good idea for collecting and spreading the word on important matters and latest developments. Surely the growth of works like these and others can only help increase knowledge and expertise in a wealth of different areas.
Tuesday 9 August 2011
A little Tuesday Morning Inspiration...
"The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good."
Brian Tracy
Monday 8 August 2011
Babies behind Bars.
The other week I watched the two ITV documentaries from within an American Prison currently running a nursery scheme. These are my reflections of the scheme.
Babies Behind Bars. ITV documentary first aired on the 27th June 2011. May still be available to watch in the UK on the ITVplayer.
According to the documentary there is a soaring number of women entering US prisons (the number is up by 400%) and there are now more women offenders in the US than in any other country.
Within US prisons women offenders who give birth whilst behind bars are required to have their baby/babies removed from the establishment after 24hours of birth. HOWEVER the Indiana Womens Prison has introduced a new scheme which lets 10 babies and their mothers stay in a special nursery wing -but with around 60 women giving birth each year in the establishment this makes competition strong.
The Nursery is named the "Wee Ones Nursery" and was opened in 2007 and is separated and protected from other offenders and is a more relaxed area. Its aims are to allow mothers to bond with their newborns, teach effective mothering skills, build skills in being effective members of society and to reduce the rates of re-offending and re-incarceration. The nursery also offers the opportunity for 4 inmates not resident on the wing to gain training in and work as 'nannies' to the resident babies.
Some quotes which I took from the documentary show the positive effects which the scheme is having on the women involved:
Evidence from the scheme shows that the women on the nursery wing have a 20% lower re-offending rate compared to other women offenders. Also the scheme has helped the women involved improve their motivation for creating positive futures.
Whilst on my prison placement it became apparent to me that the men who had maintained strong links and relationships with their children showed more motivation to become more effective member of society and to begin building a more positive lifestyle. In an article published in the Prison Service Journal (May 2008) it talks about how fatherhood is regarded as a key motivation for change and fathers who maintain contact with their families are up to six times less likely to re-offend. I feel that this would be the same for, if not more so, with mothers.
As OTs we look at the importance of individuals having roles, responsibilities and meaningful and purposeful occupations - I feel that this is an important issue to consider and look into, in particular if either currently working in forensic environments or wanting to follow this clinical area of practice as It is such a crucial part of a parents life and an area which would affect both the future of the parent and also their child/children in forming effective and positive futures.
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According to the documentary there is a soaring number of women entering US prisons (the number is up by 400%) and there are now more women offenders in the US than in any other country.
Within US prisons women offenders who give birth whilst behind bars are required to have their baby/babies removed from the establishment after 24hours of birth. HOWEVER the Indiana Womens Prison has introduced a new scheme which lets 10 babies and their mothers stay in a special nursery wing -but with around 60 women giving birth each year in the establishment this makes competition strong.
The Nursery is named the "Wee Ones Nursery" and was opened in 2007 and is separated and protected from other offenders and is a more relaxed area. Its aims are to allow mothers to bond with their newborns, teach effective mothering skills, build skills in being effective members of society and to reduce the rates of re-offending and re-incarceration. The nursery also offers the opportunity for 4 inmates not resident on the wing to gain training in and work as 'nannies' to the resident babies.
Some quotes which I took from the documentary show the positive effects which the scheme is having on the women involved:
"I'm glad I'm here because I don't want to miss any time with my child. They're too precious and I understand this now."
"It's taught me how to live up to my responsibilities."
"I want to be a good mom and a good example. Its time I'm able to teach her good habits, right from wrong you know. I don't want her to think the things I did were right."
Evidence from the scheme shows that the women on the nursery wing have a 20% lower re-offending rate compared to other women offenders. Also the scheme has helped the women involved improve their motivation for creating positive futures.
Whilst on my prison placement it became apparent to me that the men who had maintained strong links and relationships with their children showed more motivation to become more effective member of society and to begin building a more positive lifestyle. In an article published in the Prison Service Journal (May 2008) it talks about how fatherhood is regarded as a key motivation for change and fathers who maintain contact with their families are up to six times less likely to re-offend. I feel that this would be the same for, if not more so, with mothers.
As OTs we look at the importance of individuals having roles, responsibilities and meaningful and purposeful occupations - I feel that this is an important issue to consider and look into, in particular if either currently working in forensic environments or wanting to follow this clinical area of practice as It is such a crucial part of a parents life and an area which would affect both the future of the parent and also their child/children in forming effective and positive futures.
On the brink of a new chapter....
Just under three years ago I started the biggest learning curve of my life so far. University.
The chosen uni – Canterbury Christ Church, and the chosen course – Occupational Therapy.
Over the past three years I have learned an incredible amount – about OT, about myself and about other people. I have changed, developed and matured.
Last week I received my degree classification. I GOT A 2:1!! Very pleased that all the effort that went into my degree paid off and that I overcame all the challenges which I faced.
There have been far too many experiences and treasures which uni provided for me to write down in one post. BUT here are the top four (in no particular order) things to treasure:
· I met and made friends with some truly amazing people. Whether on my course or at the CU/Churches in Canterbury.
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| xXx Moi, Katie F and Emma W. xXx |
· I completed all of my placements in fascinating clinical settings and each with fabulous and supportive teams.
· I went to Kerala, India for two weeks work experience – the trip proved to be the most amazing and humbling experience I have ever had.
· I grew as a person, as a Christian and can finally say I am ready to be an OT.
·
So what will the next chapter of my life be??
· Conventional OT job in the UK?(when this silly recession ends!!)
· Moving abroad to practice?
· Or something more unconventional?
Who knows! What I do know however is that it is all in Gods hands.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
...and from now on I’m dreaming God sized dreams.
BE the change you wish to see in the world.
Friday 5 August 2011
Busy, busy busy....
Hello everyone!
Thank you all so much for checking out my blog so far, I have been very encouraged by all of the positive feedback which I have received. Especially from the British Association of Occupational Therapy who tweeted that the blog is "full of great OT reading." HOW EXCITING!!!
..now to keep up with blog posts!
As you have probably noticed I have not posted anything for a while! This is because I have been super busy for the past three weeks, working and going on mini breaks, seeing friends etc. BUT I will return to posting more blogs soon so please keep your eyes peeled.
If you would like then subscribe to my blog which will notify you every time I post something new :).
All the best,
Kate x
Thank you all so much for checking out my blog so far, I have been very encouraged by all of the positive feedback which I have received. Especially from the British Association of Occupational Therapy who tweeted that the blog is "full of great OT reading." HOW EXCITING!!!
..now to keep up with blog posts!
As you have probably noticed I have not posted anything for a while! This is because I have been super busy for the past three weeks, working and going on mini breaks, seeing friends etc. BUT I will return to posting more blogs soon so please keep your eyes peeled.
If you would like then subscribe to my blog which will notify you every time I post something new :).
All the best,
Kate x
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