Compassionate Sentencing: European perspectives on the rights of children with a parent involved in criminal proceedings
February 17, 2025
Court rulings involving a parent can have profound and lasting effects on a child. Compassionate sentencing offers a justice-based yet empathic approach, helping to ensure that when parents face criminal proceedings, the rights and well-being of…
Children with imprisoned parents: collecting data with a purpose
June 25, 2024
COPE’s ongoing work on its Data with a Purpose initiative has advanced knowledge on existing and future methods of data collection for prisoners upon entry.
How can we make prison spaces more child-friendly for children visiting a parent?
June 10, 2024
Building on an online child-consultation developed by COPE and disseminated by members and affiliates, the following report presents a detailed analysis of forty-eight children’s responses regarding their experiences and needs when visiting their parent in prison. This report summarises insights gathered directly from children across ten countries (nine EU Member States), highlighting critical areas that
A “one roof” approach to support children with a parent in prison: the role that children’s ombudspersons can play
April 22, 2024
COPE advocates for a ‘one roof’ approach, a strategic scheme that encourages relevant cross-sectoral stakeholders to come together under a unified framework to provide an integrated response for children with a parent in prison, by sharing resources and identifying and addressing deficiencies in existing systems. This briefing paper offers an overview of some of the
Child Participation when a parent is in conflict with the law
April 11, 2024
Child participation stands as the first thematic area of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, which states that EU action should ‘empower children to be active citizens and members of democratic societies’. Promoting meaningful participation of children with a parent in prison ensures their influence in key decisions that affect their lives,
A supportive guide written for and by caregivers of children who have an imprisoned parent
February 8, 2023
Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) recognises the uniquely important – and challenging – role played by those who care for children when their parent is in prison. Whilst each family’s situation is different, many caregivers may face similar questions: what should I tell the children? How should I speak to the school? How do I respond to the changing
A toolkit for frame reflective advocacy
December 26, 2022
COPE has produced a toolkit on frame reflective advocacy for and with children who have a parent in conflict with the law. This publication discusses how refining the ways in which sensitive, child-friendly language devoid of stigma or judgement can better protect and promote children’s agency and offers a series of tools and ideas for
‘Not my crime, still my sentence’ A kaleidoscope for change in the pandemic world
October 27, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has had dramatic effects on everyday life. Measures and restrictions to limit the spread of the virus have had a significant impact on children with a parent in prison. With the suspension of in-person visits in prisons and despite measures to facilitate the continuity of the child-parent relationship (notably video-calls), some children
What I think, in images and words
September 28, 2022
The Council of Europe Recommendation CM/ Rec(2018)5 is landmark instrument that addresses the needs of children with imprisoned parents through fifty-six guidelines for good practice. As part of COPE’s 2020 ‘Not my crime, still my sentence’ campaign, COPE members shared a selection of these guidelines with children who were invited to choose one that they
Advocacy Packs
August 24, 2022
COPE ‘Advocacy Packs’ can be used as starting points when initiating contact with the following stakeholders: prison services, alternative care providers, police and law enforcement officials, the media, the judiciary and schools.
Working with the police to safeguard children with a parent in conflict with the law
April 14, 2022
For many children, the arrest of a parent will mark their first encounter with the police. Witnessing the arrest of a parent can be frightening, violent and traumatic for the child. This does not have to be the case, however. Police officers can take action before, during and after an arrest, search or warrant in
Giving Kids a Chance
April 11, 2022
A toolkit on children’s right to direct contact with a parent in prison Child psychologists, social workers, researchers and other child welfare professionals are in consensus that the imprisonment of a parent can have long-lasting adverse consequences on the lives of children when they are not supported, and that reasonable steps should be taken to
