COPE Judicial Roundtable III: advancing child-rights based practices during a parent’s criminal court proceedings
January 9, 2025
On 14 November 2024, Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) hosted its third Judicial Roundtable, this time online, continuing its aim of ensuring that children’s rights remain central during a parent’s criminal…
How does ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ strive to embed child safeguarding within prisons?
October 8, 2024
Prisons are generally not designed as child-friendly spaces. Children who visit their imprisoned parents are often exposed to intimidating and harsh environments.
COPE submission to General Comment 27 on Access to Justice
August 29, 2024
The COPE Network has provided a significant contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment 27…
Game with Mum & Dad 2024 kicks off in Poland
August 27, 2024
The 2024 edition of Game with Mum & Dad (GWMD) officially kicked off in Poland on 4 August in Tarnów on prison grounds…
Online survey for children: how can we make prison spaces more child-friendly for children visiting a parent?
April 18, 2024
Inspired by the EU’s Child Participation Platform survey, Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) has launched a survey to hear directly from children across Europe their ideas about how to make visiting a parent in prison a better, more child-friendly experience. What’s this survey about? COPE is eager to learn your thoughts on how to make
Honouring Ann Adalist-Estrin
April 16, 2024
We are sad to announce the death of COPE member Ann Adalist-Estrin, a visionary champion who shifted ways of seeing and working with children who have a parent in prison. Ann was based in the United States, yet engaged frequently with issues in Europe and internationally. She was one of three founding members of COPE’s
Memorandum of Understanding between the Court of Milan and Bambinisenzabarre for children impacted by parental imprisonment
March 26, 2024
On March 20, 2024, Bambinisenzabarre signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding with the Court of Milan, marking a significant step towards enhancing support services for children with a parent in prison. This MoU aims to promote access to free support services for children facing the challenging period of a parent’s incarceration. This pioneering protocol, the
Keeping children in mind during law enforcement procedures: COPE training with CEPOL
February 5, 2024
“Even if there was just one police officer to sit down and talk to us about it… it would have been a lot easier as a family, we wouldn’t have been as stressed and we would have been able to get over it.” — boy, 17, England COPE training session with CEPOL (European Agency for
Judicial Roundtable II hosted by Alternative Sociale, Romania
February 5, 2024
On December 13, COPE member Alternative Sociale hosted the conference “Thinking of children – Respecting children’s rights in judicial proceedings” in Iasi, Romania. The event sought to promote child-friendly justice practices to Romanian central, regional and local actors – magistrates, police, prison system, probation and social services, lawyers and NGOs; and strengthen collaborations with national
Roundtable II: Building protection now and “future proofing” the rights of children with imprisoned parents in Greece
February 2, 2024
Friday 10 November, 2023 I Myrtillo Café — Park for Children & Culture COPE, in conjunction with the Deputy Children’s Ombudswoman of Greece, hosted a second day-long cross-sectoral roundtable for stakeholders in Greece to coordinate action to support and protect the rights of children with a parent in prison. Some 20 participants were present, including
