Founded in 2000, Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) is a pan-European network working with and on behalf of children with imprisoned parents. The network encourages innovative perspectives and practice to ensure that the rights of children with imprisoned parents are fully respected and that action is taken to secure their well-being and healthy development. COPE is a membership-based organisation made up of non-governmental organisations, individuals and other stakeholders across Europe and beyond, linked by a staff team based at its Paris headquarters.

With our network of European partners active within prison-related, child rights and child-welfare fields, we seek to boost awareness and achieve new ways of thinking, acting and interacting on issues concerning children affected by parental imprisonment.

Our message

An estimated 2.1 million children are separated from a parent in prison in Europe on any given day; 800,000 children in EU-27 + UK. In addition to having to cope with separation from their parent, these children are vulnerable to stigma, instability, poverty and violence. Although overall progress on the issue of parental imprisonment has been made in Europe, thanks in part to EU support for advocacy on their behalf, some countries still have little awareness of it, levels of service provision vary greatly and policy is lagging. COPE, the only pan-European network for children with imprisoned parents, is vital to ensuring that advocacy work continues.

COPE recognises that each situation is different, and ideally, support for children affected by parental incarceration should be individualised according to each child’s best interests. The child and his or her best interests are at the heart of our action and we believe that children are entitled to the truth about their parent’s incarceration. The framework of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasises the need for states to recognise the rights of children with imprisoned parents. Article 9(3) in particular commits states to respecting the right of a child separated from one or both parents to maintain a relationship and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis.

Our vision

is that every child be guaranteed fair, unbiased treatment, protection of his or her rights, and equal opportunities regardless of social, economic or cultural heritage.

Our mission

Our mission is to prevent and respond to violations of the rights of children with imprisoned parents, from arrest through to reintegration after the end of a prison sentence, to ensure their individual needs are met, and their best interests are continuously assessed. We take a systems approach to improving the lives of children with imprisoned parents, namely ensure that the systems (welfare, social, justice, education, …) children come into contact with are able to respect their rights and meet their needs, rather than expecting children to adapt to inadequate systems and supports.

Staff

  • Liz Ayre, Executive Director
  • Carole Sautier, Finance and Administration Manager
  • Paula Akyol, Project Director
  • Naike Rosini, Communications Officer

Board

  • Margaret Tuite, President
  • Alexandru Gulei, Vice-President
  • Ewelina Startek, Secretary General
  • Winie Hanekamp, Treasurer
  • Rachel Brett, Board Member
  • Edoardo Fleischner, Board Member
  • Nancy Loucks, Board Member
  • Martin Du Bois, Board Member