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…
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.
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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, … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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.
COPE is supported by
The COPE network is part of the Child Rights Connect Working Group on Children of Incarcerated Parents.
COPE is a member of
COPE is proud to be one of 18 organisations that contributed to writing the Child Rights Manifesto.
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