Founded in 2000, Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) is a pan-European network working with and on behalf of children with imprisoned parents. The network encourages innovative perspectives and practice to ensure that the rights of children with imprisoned parents are fully respected and that action is taken to secure their well-being and healthy development. COPE is a membership-based organisation made up of non-governmental organisations, individuals and other stakeholders across Europe and beyond, linked by a staff team based at its Paris headquarters.

With our network of European partners active within prison-related, child rights and child-welfare fields, we seek to boost awareness and achieve new ways of thinking, acting and interacting on issues concerning children affected by parental imprisonment.

Our message

An estimated 2.1 million children are separated from a parent in prison in Europe on any given day; 800,000 children in EU-27 + UK. In addition to having to cope with separation from their parent, these children are vulnerable to stigma, instability, poverty and violence. Although overall progress on the issue of parental imprisonment has been made in Europe, thanks in part to EU support for advocacy on their behalf, some countries still have little awareness of it, levels of service provision vary greatly and policy is lagging. COPE, the only pan-European network for children with imprisoned parents, is vital to ensuring that advocacy work continues.

COPE recognises that each situation is different, and ideally, support for children affected by parental incarceration should be individualised according to each child’s best interests. The child and his or her best interests are at the heart of our action and we believe that children are entitled to the truth about their parent’s incarceration. The framework of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasises the need for states to recognise the rights of children with imprisoned parents. Article 9(3) in particular commits states to respecting the right of a child separated from one or both parents to maintain a relationship and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis.

Our vision

is that every child be guaranteed fair, unbiased treatment, protection of his or her rights, and equal opportunities regardless of social, economic or cultural heritage.

Our mission

is to safeguard the social, political and judicial inclusion of children with an imprisoned parent, while fostering the pursuit and exchange of knowledge which enhances good practices, and contributes to a better understanding of the psychological, emotional and social development of these children.

Staff

  • Liz Ayre, Executive Director
  • Martin Du Bois, Director of Operations
  • Carole Sautier, Office Manager
  • Paula Akyol, Project Manager

Board

  • Margaret Tuite, President
  • Hannah Lynn, Vice-President
  • Maja Gabelica Šupljika, Secretary General
  • Rachel Brett, Board Member
  • Edoardo Fleischner, Board Member
  • Alexandru Gulei, Board Member
  • Winie Hanekamp, Board Member
  • Ewelina Startek, Board Member
  • Nancy Loucks, Board Member