“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”-C.S. Lewis

The past year has been challenging. Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to significant lifestyle changes for people across the globe. Children with imprisoned parents have been doubly affected – by restrictions in general but also by being unable to see, hug or play with their parent in prison. For some children it has been more than a year since they have seen their parent.

The 2021 “Not my crime still my sentence” campaign is focused on the transition to prisons and in-person visits re-opening after a year of COVID-19. As we move forward, it is crucial to consider the voices of children experiencing parental imprisonment. They have opinions that should be central to decisions made concerning them.

We are providing a platform for children impacted by parental imprisonment to share their voices. If you are between 10 and 17 years old and live in Europe, we would love to hear from you!

How to participate:

Select one or several of the questions below which you would like to respond to. You can respond with a written submission, a piece of artwork or a video.

  • How are you feeling?
  • What is the effect of COVID on your life?
  • What do you need?
  • What was something that worked well or that was ‘good’ about the COVID pandemic that you would like to continue?
  • What is something that didn’t work well or that you did not like about the COVID pandemic?
  • What did the prison or your parent in prison do during the pandemic that made you feel happy?
  • What information do you need?
  • What would you like to see when visits reopen?

Written submissions can be in your first language, we can translate. We ask that you submit your response in a word document format.

Drawings and other forms of artwork can be scanned and submitted in JPEG or PNG format.

Videos can take the form of a speech, a performance, a recording of any creative activity such as painting or drawing. The video should be filmed horizontally in MP4 format and should not be longer than 2 minutes. If there is speech, the video should come with a written script in a separate document. If you would like, you can also submit a short text to describe the concept of the proposal.

In consideration of children’s personal data protection, we request that video submissions NOT include faces or other identifying features. You could wear masks or record a scene featuring anything that illustrates your responses to the questions.

At the bottom of this page you will find a consent form which authorises us to use and share the content you submit. Please fill in, sign and upload this form along with your submission and personal details through this link (a Google account is needed):

2021 “Not my crime, still my sentence” campaign participation form

Please also read the Privacy statement at the bottom of the page. 

If you do not have a Google account, you can send your submission to brianna.smith[at]networkcope.eu. Please also send the consent form and submission form at the bottom of this page, both completed and signed.

All submissions should be received by Tuesday 31 August.

So what are we doing with your responses?

Your voice is important, and we want to feature it on our platform. We will be gathering responses from children and young people from across Europe and publishing a “European Bill of Rights” featuring responses to the above questions. This will be shared on our website, our social media and with our members and partners across Europe and beyond.

Submission form – “Not my crime, still my sentence”

Consent form – “Not my crime, still my sentence”

Privacy statement – “Not my crime, still my sentence”

Please get in touch if you have any questions: brianna.smith[at]networkcope.eu