“Liberating babies from jail”, City Press (25/04/2010, p. 27) is one to be glad about. This article, written by Chris Makhaye took a positive angle on children who live with their mothers in prison and how they should be liberated, as the headline suggests.

The article referred to a case study, bringing the story to life and allowing the reader to feel the plight of the mother and child, Bongiwe and Jabu. Pseudonyms were provided for them, which protected their identities.

Statistics provided context to the story. “Bongiwe is one of 143 children in prisons across South Africa who are kept in these facilities because they are too young to be separated from their mothers.” This offers the reader a good reason as to why the children are living with their mothers in prison. This, it seems, is the standard practice until the children are two years old. Thereafter, the children have to go to existing family or any adoptive family that wishes to take them.

The article covered a sensitive topic, where legal rights of children and their mothers have to be balanced against the rights of society at large. This was done by accessing several sources from the Department of Correctional Services and a human rights organisation. It provided valuable insight as it gave a voice to the mother with whom any person can relate, because she spoke as a caring mother who wants the best for her child.

Reference to the new legislation was made in the article and was clearly explained for the reader to understand. “Since the Correctional Services Amendment Act of 2008, the children of women prisoners are only allowed to stay with their mothers from birth until two years of age…”

The pictures conveyed a strong impression of intimidation and helplessness a child would experience in prison.

MMA congratulates the writer on a well written article and we hope that such relevant stories continue to be written.