Volume 5 of the European Journal of Parental Imprisonment (EJPI) is available online! This volume, entitled Making children count: Improving data collection for children with imprisoned parents, focuses on the importance of data collection and the manner in which data is collected and then used.
The language used and ways of collecting data can affect those about whom information is gathered. Contributors to this volume of the EJPI emphasise the need to constantly reflect and question the purpose of data gathering, to ensure that it remains centred around the core aim of protecting and supporting children of prisoners and working towards better outcomes—not just to validate a certain perspective or fundraising requirement.
In his article, Jan Kleijssen (Director of the Information Society and Action against Crime Directorate of the Council of Europe) notes that the number of children with a parent in prison is difficult to evaluate, for several reasons: prison authorities may not be aware of a prisoner’s family situation, and because of data protection issues, this information often cannot be collected. Information about a prisoner’s family is helpful to ensure that children are receiving the support that they need, from child protection, social services and/or NGOs, and to facilitate decisions made concerning contact and visiting rights, based on the best interests of the child.
The draft Council of Europe (COE) Recommendation on children with imprisoned parents, due to be adopted by the COE Committee of Ministers in March 2018, is highlighted in the journal for its promotion of regular research, revision and evaluation of child-friendly practices and policies, as data collection should not be considered the end goal. It is a complex but essential element to ensure that children of prisoners and their families receive the support they need, while also providing accurate and up-to-date information to the media and promoting good practices and achievements.
Manfred Nowak and Chiara Altafin’s article discusses the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty and how the lack of comprehensive data on children deprived of liberty is at the foundation of the study. The primary objective of the Global Study is to collect reliable data from governments in cooperation with UN agencies, civil society, academia and other stakeholders, in relation to children deprived of liberty.
Through several lenses, volume 5 of the EJPI addresses the complexity of data collection concerning children deprived of liberty and data collection in the field of incarceration. within the world of incarceration. Constant reflection and questioning of the reasons for collecting data is crucial if that data is to boost understanding of how to best support children with parents in prison.
The journal is available for download in English, French and German and can be found here.