Dr Shona Minson of Oxford University’s Centre for Criminology recently released a report detailing the experiences of children and their families trying to cope with parental imprisonment during the first coronavirus-related prison lockdown in England, Wales and Scotland. The result of interviews with parents and caregivers of children with imprisoned parents, the report shows the significant harm … Read More
Child Impact Assessments for children with a primary carer in the criminal justice system
“It lets people know how I feel about mum in prison and gives me an opportunity to talk about my feelings in general around the situation. It is a good mix of writing and drawing.” – Sam (aged 12) The Prison Reform Trust (UK) launched the Child Impact Assessment in November 2022, a practical tool designed to encourage … Read More
Why are Pregnant Women in Prison?
Research published in November 2021 explores why courts in England and Wales sentence pregnant women to prison, highlighting the circumstances and vulnerabilities of twenty-two case studies; touching upon practices in other jurisdictions; and emphasising the need for a sea change in attitudes in society and among decision-makers to prevent the lives of unborn babies being … Read More
Hidden Sentence advocacy trainings
Partners of Prisoners (POPS) has held their Hidden Sentence training seminars to inform professional staff and academic students in England’s North West about the issues impacting families affected by imprisonment, with focus placed on both logistical difficulties and the emotional impacts of imprisonment on families. Participants have included local criminal justice authorities, children’s services and … Read More
Visiting Mum
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) developed the Visiting Mum program in HMP Eastwood Park, a women’s prison in Gloucestershire, southwestern England, in response to the fact that a number of imprisoned mothers were not receiving visits from their children, which was resulting in high levels of depression, anxiety and self-harming. The location of … Read More
Families on Release
The Families on Release (FOR) project, delivered by POPS, was commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to provide support to families of prisoners returning to the Greater Manchester area. This support package lasted up to 8 weeks and complimented the through-the-gate support provided to the prisoner by probation and youth justice services. POPS’ … Read More
Visitor Centres
NIACRO’s visitor centres aim to keep families and their loved ones in prison connected. They provide information to families and children, as well as guidelines for families. During the pandemic, the visitors centres had to adapt to the context. They did so by reaching out into the communities and linking the family and loved ones … Read More
Life in Lockdown Poetry and Drawing Collection
In order to allow the families that they work with to share their experiences, Children Heard and Seen has developed two innovative collections of poems and drawings from the families themselves. These collections include over 60 entries. They were compiled into two books that were sent to MPs, Prison Governors, and High Sheriffs across the … Read More
Support Workbook
Children Heard and Seen has developed a workbook containing guided exercises for children. During their one-to-one sessions with the organisation’s staff, children are invited to complete the guided exercises. They cover each stage of the custodial sentence and are designed to help children process feelings and share their hopes. Children Heard and Seen introduced their … Read More
Statistics England and Wales
Prison population total and prison rate per 100,000 are retrieved from Aebi, M. F., Cocco, E., Molnar, L. & Tiago, M. M., (2022). SPACE I – 2021 – Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics: Prison populations. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, Table 7.Estimated number of children separated from an imprisoned parent: extrapolation based on Champsaur, P., … Read More
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