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 crucial importance of strong child-parent bonds, where in the best interests of the child, and provision of child support, during and after a parent’s imprisonment. Doing so protects child well-being, upholds their rights and can support the reintegration of the parent post-release.
COPE underlined how numerous barriers prevent maintaining this meaningful contact, such as:  

  • Structural barriers, such as limited child-friendly visitation opportunities, lack of mother-baby units and the geographical distance between prisons and families.
  • Financial burdens that make prison visits difficult for low-income families.
  • Psychological challenges such as the loss of agency and dignity that imprisoned parents can experience.
  • Communication restrictions, such as expensive and time-limited phone calls and lack of privacy.
  • Stigma and discrimination faced by children and families, discouraging them from seeking support.

In some cases, children may even take on a heightened emotional support role for their imprisoned parent, reversing traditional child-parent roles, which can place undue pressure on them and complicate reintegration family dynamics upon the parent’s release.

To address these challenges, COPE proposed a comprehensive approach to policies and suports that prioritise the rights of children while also supporting parents in their reintegration journey. These include:

  • Prison staff training to support the child-parent relationship.
  • Child-focused visits including everyday activities (cooking, sports or parental involvement with their child’s education via teacher-parent meetings, homework clubs). This also helps combat social exclusion and stigma and foster stronger bonds.
  • Direct support to children and families from as early as possible in the separation.
  • Cross-sectoral partnerships of prison/probation, health, social and welfare services, schools, police, children’s rights officials and civil society organisations.
  • Participatory mechanisms for children and those with lived experience to design support measures in and outside prisons.

Read COPE’s input here.

All inputs received will soon be available on the OHCHR webpage.