KATHLEEN FOLBIGG -'I'M FINALLY FREE TO GRIEVE'

After two decades in prison, she's now able to honour her babies

- Emma Levett, Maisy Rae

For more than 20 years, Kathleen Folbigg maintained her innocence. She walked out of Clarence Correctional Centre on June 5, a free woman, 7164 days after she was convicted for the murder of her four infant children.

Now safely at her lifelong best friend Tracy Chapman's farm in Grafton, NSW, Kathleen is beginning the healing process. 

Another long-time friend and supporter Karren Hall tells Woman's Day how she has been celebrating there with Kathleen, too.

"It's been a crazy time. I have been with Kath over a couple of days and words can't describe how happy we are," she says.

But amid the joy of finally being freed, Woman's Day has learned that Kathleen is now desperate to visit her children's resting place.

"Kathleen has never properly grieved. She's disassociated her whole life - it's been a necessity, or she wouldn't still be here," Tracy tells Woman's Day. "She's been through 34 years of trauma, and it's going to take years to get through that."

Kathleen's children were foremost in her mind during her incarceration, and when she gave a statement the day after her release, she was quick to pay tribute to Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura.

"For the last 20 years I have been in prison, I have forever and will always think of my children, grieve for my children, and I miss them and love them terribly," said Kathleen, who turns 56 this week.