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 are available on the OHCHR webpage.