Raising awareness among child-related agencies, prison services and policymakers to the specific needs of children of prisoners and promoting initiatives that take these needs into account, the COPE network is seeking to:
  • Expand programmes that support the child-parent relationship and help minimise violence for children with an imprisoned parent
  • Introduce the child’s perspective throughout the criminal justice process, from arrest to resettlement
  • Foster cross-sectoral collaboration among public and private agencies involved in supporting and making decisions about children of prisoners
  • Obtain better information and greater visibility for prisoner’s children and influence policy on their behalf
  • Promote the exchange of initiatives, expertise and good practice for children with imprisoned parents
  • Enhance the competence of professionals within the field
Through our staff and network members across Europe, we work to promote the following initiatives:
  • Child-friendly visiting areas in prisons as well as extended visits for children
  • Accompaniment of children by specially trained volunteers when prison visits are hindered by geographical distances, family conflicts, logistical problems, etc.
  • Initiatives that facilitate communication between children and imprisoned parents, such as increased telephone access
  • Parenting programmes such as discussion groups and crafts workshops in prisons where parents can create objects for the child
  • Measures that give parents the means to exercise their parental responsibilities from the time of arrest, and during any subsequent proceedings, by promoting disciplinary measures and custodial alternatives to prison whenever possible, particularly for mothers with very young children
  • Training programmes to raise awareness on the situation of children with incarcerated parents among judges, schools, childcare professionals, prison staff, relevant organisations and administrations
  • Forums to foster the exchange of ideas and good practice for children with imprisoned parents
  • Resource centres to provide more accurate statistics on the number of children affected, explore the psychological and social impact of a parent’s incarceration, and highlight the importance of maintaining family ties.