An estimated 2.1 million children across Europe have a parent in prison on any given day. Yet we often hear that considering the rights and needs of these children is a “niche” topic within criminal justice discussions, an “extra” issue, peripheral to the main objectives and realities of the prison world…
Year: 2025
COPE Annual Conference 2026 — hosted by Bambinisenzasbarre
Protecting children’s rights during a parent’s criminal court proceedings — COPE Judicial Roundtable IV, hosted by the Portuguese Supreme Court of Justice
On June 27, 2025, COPE held its fourth Judicial Roundtable in Lisbon, Portugal, hosted by the Portuguese Supreme Court of Justice. A central goal of the event was to …
Press Release: COPE online seminar “Creative Connections”
On 24 June 2025, COPE held the online seminar “Creative Connections,” organised in collaboration with the Special Health Center for Prisoners of Korydallos, the NGO EPANODOS for the support of released prisoners and the General Secretariat for Crime Prevention Policy. Coordinators Liz Ayre, Arete…
COPE’s 17th International Conference hosted by Mid-Dlam għad-Dawl in Malta
Held at Caritas Community Centre, Malta, this conference centred on understanding and dismantling the stigma faced by children affected by parental imprisonment, exploring how it permeates communities, institutions and systems. The conference brought together individuals with lived experience of parental …
COPE Annual Conference 2025 — hosted by Mid-Dlam għad-Dawl
COPE 2025 International Conference will be hosted by COPE member Mid-Dlam Ghad-Dawl in Valetta, Malta, on 12 June 2025. This year the Conference will focus on stigma surrounding parental imprisonment. The Conference agenda and registration link will be available soon.
COPE Input to OHCHR study on human rights and social reintegration
COPE has provided input to the OHCHR study on human rights and the social reintegration of persons released from detention and persons subjected to non-custodial measures. In its submission, COPE’s submission highlights the…
Regranting 2025
2025 COPE SUB-GRANTING CALL – GAME WITH MUM & DAD Announcement of an open call for recipients of financial support EU Grant number: 101194526 EU Project acronym and title: Child Check 2025 The project Child Check 2025, co-funded from the European Union’s European Education and Culture Executive Agency (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme) under … Read More
Compassionate Sentencing: European perspectives on the rights of children with a parent involved in criminal proceedings
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 input for UNHRC Resolution 52/12 on mental health and human rights
COPE has provided input for the UNHCR resolution 52/12 on mental health and human rights, with valuable contributions from COPE member Dr. Rodrigo J. Carcedo González from Universidad de Salamanca (Spain). Drawing on EU-funded research…









