The Italian model “Memorandum of Understanding on children with imprisoned parents” (MOU), an agreement between the Italian Minister for Justice, the National Ombudsman for Childhood and Adolescence and COPE member NGO Bambinisenzasbarre, was originally signed in 2014. This agreement concerns the fulfillment and protection of the rights of children with imprisoned parents. Valid for two years, the Memorandum was renewed in September 2016, emphasising the level of support from the signatories.
In conjunction with this renewal, COPE will be publishing an Implementation Guide intended for organisations who work with children with imprisoned parents around the world. This guide considers the Italian MOU as an example and, with valuable input from Bambinisenzasbarre, outlines the required steps to establishing similar agreements between Ministries of Justice, Ombudspersons for Children, and NGOs in other countries. The guide will include the reasoning behind the establishment of a Memorandum and provide practical advice on implementing each of the nine articles that make up the Italian MOU. The guide is due to be published in November.