In 2014, COPE’s Italian network member Bambinisenzasbarre obtained the signature of a “Memorandum of Understanding”, entitled the “Charter of Children with Imprisoned Parents”. This agreement was signed by the Italian Minister for Justice, the National Ombudsman for Childhood and Adolescence and Bambinisenzasbarre. This document, the first of its kind in Europe, formally recognises the right of children to stay in contact with and visit their imprisoned parent as well as the prisoner’s right to parent their child. The Memorandum, applicable in all prisons across Italy, was initially valid for two years and was renewed for a further two-year period in 2016. In conjunction with this renewal, COPE has produced an Implementation Guide to enable members to establish their own version of the Memorandum.
Influenced by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Memorandum outlines the rights and procedures that were agreed upon by the three signatory parties that are necessary to protect the development, health and well-being of children with imprisoned parents. For the COPE network, the signing of the Memorandum was an important milestone and example of the concrete action that can come from advocacy and partnerships with national governments and institutions.
Part of the appeal of the Italian Memorandum of Understanding is its potential for replication in other countries. COPE believes that by working to enhance support and awareness of the rights of children with imprisoned parents, the MOU can bring about crucial change in Europe. Network members are encouraged to advocate for a similar commitment from their governments, and the Implementation Guide that has been published is a tool that can help members implement their own context-specific versions of the Memorandum.
COPE, with valuable input from Bambinisenzasbarre, has put together this Implementation Guide with the aim of providing a framework that is adaptable to regional or national contexts; a reference document for developing child rights policies and reviewing legislation. The document details the process that led to the signature of the Italian Memorandum, as well as suggestions for following up with key actors and practical guidance on implementing each of the nine articles in the Memorandum. This publication is designed in a way to help NGOs mobilise national partners to work together and effect positive change for children with imprisoned parents.
You can read the Implementation Guide here: MOU Implementation Guidance Document 2017