About Us
The European Network for Children of Imprisoned Parents (EUROCHIPS), funded by the Bernard van Leer Foundation, is a European-wide initiative on behalf of children with an imprisoned parent.
With our network of European partners active within prison-related, child’s rights and child-welfare fields, we seek to boost awareness and achieve new ways of thinking, acting and interacting on issues concerning prisoners’ children.
EUROCHIPS' message: The child and his or her best interests are at the heart of our action. Children are entitled to the truth about their parent’s incarceration. Above all, children must be able to maintain a link with both parents if separated from one or both, a right stipulated in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 2000 Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
- Acting as a voice for prisoners’ children we boost public awareness by educating judges, schools, childcare professionals, prison staff and relevant organisations and administrations on the plight of children with incarcerated parents.
- Providing forums to foster the exchange of ideas and good practice for children with imprisoned parents.
- Building a resource centre 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.
- Training of professionals and volunteers.
- Special 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 detainee parents, such as increased telephone access.
- Parenting programs 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.
