Children of Prisoners Europe’s Post

✨ As 2024 comes to an end, we take a moment to reflect on a year of growth and progress for children impacted by parental imprisonment across Europe. This holiday season, we want to thank all of COPE’s supporters, partners and advocates who have stood by its mission to prevent and respond to violations of the rights of children with an imprisoned parent. This year has been full of important milestones: ⭐ In January, COPE delivered an introductory training session on child-sensitive arrest procedures to 68 law enforcement professionals from 10 EU member states in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL). ⭐ In April, COPE launched an online child survey (14 languages) that shaped its report on creating child-friendly prison environments, amplifying children’s voices to drive change. ⭐ Over the summer, the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ campaign expanded, offering more children meaningful time with their parents on prison grounds. ⭐ In August, COPE contributed a submission to the UN draft General Comment no. 27 on Children’s Rights to Access Justice and Effective Remedies, highlighting unique and often overlooked challenges faced by children with a parent in prison.  ⭐ In autumn, COPE hosted webinars, workshops and roundtables to strengthen children’s rights across social, justice and education systems. 🎉 A major milestone came on 12 December with the re-establishment of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights for 2024–2029, ensuring children’s rights remain central to European policies. As we look to 2025, COPE is committed to ensuring every child receives fair treatment, equal opportunities and full protection of their rights. Read our latest newsletter for more on our 2024 achievements and what’s ahead in 2025 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2nRhUvm #childrensrights #endofyear UEFA Foundation for Children European Commission United Nations Council of the European Union CONNECTING HEARTS - Foundation for Children of Prisoners

The Changing Landscape of Juvenile Detention: A Post-Pandemic Reality The post-pandemic environment has reshaped juvenile detention in profound ways. Youth are no longer cycling in and out of detention in 21 days; instead, many are staying for months, and in some cases, even years. This reality brings a critical obligation for leaders to step up and view this as an opportunity—not simply to detain but to serve as a bridge to meaningful support, fostering the best outcomes and future orientation for these young individuals. When youth touch the system, it is our duty to assess their needs holistically, ensuring that their experience is rare, fair, and ultimately beneficial. We can no longer be satisfied with traditional detention where our only focus is waiting until the next court date. In today’s society, where racial and ethnic disparities remain pervasive, failing to adopt this approach is a disservice to the field, the youth, and their communities. Youth are not “at risk”; they are “at promise.” With extended stays, the importance of trauma-informed care and treatment cannot be overstated. Many youth arrive with a history of trauma that influences their behavior and well-being. A trauma-informed approach not only supports healing but also builds resilience, helping young people find healthy ways to cope and thrive. Their needs guide us in making necessary mid-course corrections, embracing trial and error to propel juvenile justice reform forward. Let’s commit to being part of a system that not only holds youth accountable but also builds them up, addressing the complex factors in their lives so that their future holds more promise than their past. We must serve them fully, with the understanding that we are shaping lives, not just waiting for the next court date. Willie Fullilove Mark Hamlett Lashaun Jones Dontá Smith Keisha Isaacs Antonia Reason Carol Cramer Brooks Lester Young Richard Gentry Douglas White, M.A. Deon Ruben Indu Tyson-Wilson, MA Quiotis Fletcher, M.S, M.A #JuvenileJusticeReform #TraumaInformedCare #FutureLeaders #YouthDevelopment #JusticeForAll #YouthEmpowerment #RethinkDetention #BreakingTheCycle #RestorativeJustice #PositiveYouthDevelopment #HopeAndHealing

🚨 Did you know? Children involved in crime are more likely to reoffend. For the year ending March 2021, those with no previous offences had a reoffending rate of 16.4%, compared to 63.8% for those who had committed 11 or more previous offences. It's time to break the cycle! 💪 Investing in early interventions can save society £1.5 billion/year and create positive outcomes for our youth. The Arukah Project is delighted to be able to offer interventions to children and young adults across Portsmouth, ensuring every child has the chance to thrive and our communities stay safe. #BreakTheCycle #InvestInYouth #CommunitySupport 🌟#youthjustice #trauma #EFT #tapping #emotionalresilience #traumainformed #prison #rehabilitation #recoveryispossible #mentalhealth #portsmouth #aces #childhoodtrauma Ministry of Justice UK HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) NHS England Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB)

To truly address and prevent juvenile offending, we must first understand the root causes of these behaviours. Simply incarcerating young people doesn’t provide the insights or solutions needed for change. Instead, children need to be in environments where they feel safe, supported, and hopeful about their future. Plan and Grow’s Safe Community Living Program is proving that this approach works. By keeping youth within their communities and focusing on healing and support rather than punishment, we create opportunities for genuine transformation. Let's invest in solutions that address underlying issues and foster positive futures. 🌟 #JuvenileJustice #CommunitySupport #Rehabilitation #SafeCommunityLiving #PlanAndGrow Justice Reform Initiative

Our prisons have more prisoners than they can cope with. We are becoming addicted to punishment, even in areas where it has been demonstrated that it doesn't work. How on earth does it make sense to threaten families with fines or jail for non-attendance? It clearly will make matters worse, rather than better. Please, headteachers, do not go along with this cruel strategy. Try exploring the reasons why pupils do not attend instead. Is it the "joyless curriculum", or the oppressive behaviour policies (especially around trivia like uniform)? Has your school been an active agent in a breakdown of positive relationships between pupils and staff, between families and school? Reaching for a bigger hammer will not repair the damage.

Did you know over 2 million children in Europe have a parent in prison? We, the ICPA community, need to work together to improve our polices, procedures, and built environments to ensure we are considering the rights of children. In 2018, the Council of Europe translated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into actionable recommendations, including a child-friendly version in 8 languages. These guidelines help support children, parents, and professionals by advocating for the rights of children with imprisoned parents. These guidelines cover everything from basic principles to police detention, judicial orders, prison conditions, and much more. They serve as an invaluable resource for children, parents, and professionals alike. By sharing these recommendations, we aim to bring the voices of children with imprisoned parents to the forefront, advocating for their rights and ensuring they receive the emotional and material support they desperately need. Together, we can break the cycle of stigma and psychological stress, fostering a more understanding and supportive environment for these children. Join us in this important cause! Download the recommendations here:https://bit.ly/3YmkJmn and explore the child-friendly version here: https://bit.ly/4c8j9rs! #ChildRights #ChildrenOfPrisoners #ParentingFromPrison #CouncilOfEurope #PracticeTransferAdvisoryCommittee #COPE

What does equitable access to quality education look like for #students who are incarcerated? In collaboration with Ennead Architects Lab and with support from Ascendium's Education Philanthropy, we explored prison learning spaces and the implications for educational access and equity inside. Read insights from Tammy Ortiz, Sindy Lopez, and Ess Pokornowski on the current state of #HigherEducation in prison and essential improvements: https://lnkd.in/g39mK62X

The Importance of Vision in Juvenile Justice Reform In the realm of juvenile justice reform, vision is our guiding light. It empowers us to imagine a future where every young person is given the opportunity to thrive, irrespective of their past mistakes. A clear vision directs our efforts, fosters innovative solutions, and ensures that our policies and practices are not just reactive but transformative. At Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, our vision is to create a nurturing environment that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. By embracing this forward-thinking approach, we aim to break the cycle of recidivism and help our youth build brighter futures. Vision in juvenile justice reform isn't just about the destination; it's about the journey. It's about creating pathways for growth, fostering resilience, and instilling hope. Together, with a shared vision, we can pave the way for a more just and equitable system that truly supports the rehabilitation and development of our youth. #JuvenileJusticeReform #Vision #Transformation #Rehabilitation #FutureLeaders

On this World Children's Day, we reflect on the heartbreaking reality that over 10,000 children are currently held in Nigerian correctional centers.These young lives, many of whom have been detained under harsh conditions, face unimaginable challenges that no child should ever endure. We must acknowledge the profound injustice they face, more than 50% lack legal representation, leaving them vulnerable and unheard in a system that should be protecting them. At Headfort Foundation for Justice, we stand for the rights of every child, advocating for fair treatment, access to education, and the restoration of their fundamental rights. Together, we can build a world where their rights are never forgotten. #WorldChildrensDay #JusticeForChildren #EndChildincarceration #Headfortfoundationforjustice

📣New ministers have a critical opportunity to reimagine what justice means for children. The new Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) briefing outlines a new agenda to: 🌟 Safeguard & support children with approaches rooted within communities 🌟 End racial injustice before, during & after involvement with the justice system 🌟 Ensure custody is a last resort and close harmful child prisons Children’s rights are universal & should underpin the way the state treats all children, no matter which systems & services they interact with. It’s time for a step change in the way the government exercises its responsibility for children who are at risk of, or involved with, crime & the youth justice system. ➡️ Read the briefing here: bit.ly/3XHt1ot