2004 News Archives

European Union - 24th November 2004

Substitution Treatment in European Prisons

Cranstoun Drug Services and the European Network on Drugs and Infections Prevention in Prison launched an in-depth report entitled "Substitution Treatment in European Prisons" in the European Parliament on November 24.

United Kingdom - 31st October 2004

Help and Protect Prisoners' Youngsters

A new association working on behalf of children with imprisoned parents was launched October 31 in Glasgow , Scotland

Sweden - 18th October 2004

Do not punish the children

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service issued a series of orders on September 15 in response to a Spring 2004 report on prisoners' children released by the Children's Ombudsman. The report, entitled "Do not punish the children," maintained that conditions for children with incarcerated parents in Sweden were unacceptable in many ways and that little progress had been made since the 1998 Prison and Probation Service report.

Netherlands - 15th October 2004

Initiative launched in the Netherlands

October saw an initiative launched in the Netherlands to have volunteers from the Exodus Foundation accompany children on prison visits to imprisoned fathers, as part of an extended visits program operating in four of the nation's prisons.

Italy - 2nd October 2004

The Impact of Imprisonment on Family Ties

The association Bambinisenzasbarre organized a two-day training course in Milan on September 9-10, 2004 entitled "The Impact of Imprisonment on Family Ties".

European Union - 2nd October 2004

EUROCHIPS makes a series of recommendations

During the recent ad hoc Conference of Directors of Prison Administration (CDPA) and Probation Service, organized jointly by the Council of Europe and the Italian Ministry of Justice in November, the European Committee for Children of Imprisoned Parents (EUROCHIPS) made a series of recommendations in light of the updating of the European Prison Rules.

Norway - 1st October 2004

Norwegian Red Cross launches new program

The Norwegian Red Cross, which oversees some thirty visits centers for offenders' families and kin (Norway has forty prison establishments), is launching a new program specifically aimed at children with imprisoned parents.

United Kingdom - 27th September 2004

England's prisons encouraged to hold special events

England's prisons are being encouraged to hold a special event to bring together prisoners and their families during the month of October.

United Kingdom - 22nd September 2004

APF Annual General Meeting and Conferenc

Action for Prisoners' Families is holding its Annual General Meeting and Conference at an all-day event in London on November 4. The theme for the day is "Why Be Family Friendly," and guest speakers include Mr. Phil Wheatley, Director General of the Prison Service, and Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, Conservative Party Shadow Minister for Prisons. A panel debate including journalists, civil servants and practitioners is scheduled for the afternoon. Further information about the conference is available from Jaime Eastham: info@actionpf.org.uk.

United Kingdom - 19th September 2004

KIDS VIP commissioned to produce good practice framework

The prison service for England and Wales has commissioned KIDS VIP to produce a good practice framework for children maintaining contact with their parents in prison. The aim is to set out the benefits of child-friendly prisons, the requirements and the possibilities. There is much good practice available to share , but it is not yet consistent across the prison estate. The new work will build on Children Visiting Prisons: a Good Practice Guide produced in Scotland in 1999.The first few consultative meetings have been held to develop the form of the guide, which aims to be as user friendly as possible and be available next year. It will cover the whole visiting process from arrival at the visitor center outside the prison gate, through to the different types of visit, which children might make. Kids Vip will include good practice from both British prisons, and will also include international references. If you have any ideas you would like included in this exciting document, please do email Kate Philbrick at: k.philbrick1@ntlworld.com

European Union - 15th September 2004

Time magazine runs an article

The September issue of Time magazine (Europe) ran an article about recent trends in philanthropy and how, with many countries facing shrinking government budgets, companies in Europe are increasingly stepping in to back charity projects. Marie-France Blanco and Relais Enfants Parents (REP) of France were featured in the piece, as was the Bernard van Leer Foundation in The Hague . The issue of prisoners' children was underscored, with a first page spread caption describing REP's difficulties garnering initial funding in France for the project 20 years ago until Bernard van Leer Foundation support was found for a nine-year period. To read the full article online: http://www.time.com/time/globalbusiness/article/0,9171,1101040726-665056-1,00.html

Germany - 15th August 2004

Steering committee

During a recent meeting in Bonn organized by the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Straffälligenhilfe, a federal association regrouping associations in Germany working on behalf of people dealing with the justice system, a steering committee focusing on working with prisoners' families explored a series of issues. Criminologist Anne-Marie Klopp* presented the European network EUROCHIPS and underscored the right of children to maintain contact with an imprisoned parent, even if the caretaker parent is not ready for the child to visit the imprisoned parent. According to Klopp, this child's rights perspective is not always implicit when assisting people involved with the justice system, and often raises questions for those working within the field. One participant, for example, raised the issue of what to do when the offense is alleged sexual abuse of children. Another maintained that her job was to support the inmate's partner, and underscored the difficulty in emphasizing the child's rights over the mother's wishes. The work session highlighted the importance of access to information and training of professionals when working with children of imprisoned parents and family ties, as well as parenting support for imprisoned parents. *President of the European Forum, an organization of professionals specializing in the criminal policy in Europe . For further information : www.europaforum-kriminalpolitik.org

United Kingdom - 15th August 2004

NFPI promotes a more “family-friendly” UK

As part of the runup to this year's tenth anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family, the National Family & Parenting Institute (NFPI) has been promoting a more "family-friendly" UK and working with a number of other voluntary sector organisations and Department of Education and Skills (DfES) to drive this forward over the past ten years. The main activities for celebrating the year will take place this autumn, and will include Family Learning Week (11-17 October) and Parenting Week (25-31 October). EUROCHIPS member Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) has joined with the NFPI, Campaign for Learning, DfES and HM Prison Service to promote a new campaign underscoring the importance of prisoners maintaining quality contact with their families. The campaign seeks to encourage prisons to organize a family event during October; introduce a new initiative during the year which will tangibly improve the situation for prisoners and their families on a long-term basis; and motivate prisoners to write books for children. APF itself will be aiming to launch three initiatives in the autumn of 2004 :

Family Friendly Prisons : Encouraging prisons to run an event in October focused on the needs of the family. Prisons demonstrating that they have done something 'family friendly' will be presented with a certificate of achievement. The certificate, from APF, the NFPI and DfES, would be presented at a special event in early 2005, and initiatives will be promoted in APF's spring newsletter.
Award Scheme. Running an award scheme for prisons to introduce intiatives that show real cultural or sustainable change relating to family ties. Up to three categories will be decided upon-eg. environmental change; children's project; information- with one price per category. The scheme is slated to be announced in November with a cut-off date for entries of June 2005. Winners would be announced in late 2005. A judging panel is being set up.
Writing competition. A writing competition to be facilitated by the Writers in Prison Network. Prisoners will be asked to write short stories, poems or cartoons aimed at children over 10, on the subject of having a parent in prison. Children's laureate Michael Morpurgo has been approached to head the selection panel.

Northen Ireland - 7th August 2004

BAT (Book and Tape) Club launched

The BAT Club (Book and Tape Club), launched in June 2004 at Maghaberry Prison by the Northern Ireland Prison Service in partnership with the South Eastern Education and Library Board and Bright Books, aims to promote literacy among imprisoned fathers serving a life sentence and their children and allows fathers in custody to play a role in the development of their children. The father selects a book (assistance is provided for those who have difficulty reading or want guidance in selecting a suitable book) and reads it aloud to produce a tape recording. The book and tape are then lent to the child, who is encouraged to read the book while listening to the recording of the father's voice. In turn, the children are encouraged to record their comments about the book and a message to their father, who in turn listens to the tape.

Children in the BAT Club are also encouraged to use their local library. In addition to listing books that the father and child read together, the BAT membership card features a grid where each time a child takes out a book from his or her local library, the librarian can stamp their card. After three months, the child is awarded a £5 book token which can be used to purchase a book through a supplier who is offering discounted rates on books for the children. Maghaberry hopes to roll out the BAT Club to other categories of inmates in September.

United States - 24th July 2004

National Training Institute

The Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents is holding its fourth National Training Institute on July 21-24, 2004 at the Western Justice Center in Pasadena , California . The training program will focus on recruitment, selection, screening, training and supervision of people who work with children of criminal offenders, including staff workers, mentors and other volunteers. It will underscore the Center's research and practical experience, highlighting its developmental approach to the issues. The event will also include two workshops for participants involved in mentoring children of prisoners: 1) Assessment & Screening of Mentees; and 2) Measuring Mentoring Outcomes. Trainers will include Denise Johnston, M.D., founding director of the Center, a child development specialist and a leading national authority on children of criminal offenders; Michael Carlin, coordinator of the FatherRight and Child Custody Advocacy Services [CHICAS] Projects; and Lynette Singleton, the Center's clinical specialist and coordinator of the MotherRight Project, which serves incarcerated mothers in residential, mother-child correctional programs. For further information : www.e-ccip.org or call Tamara Satterwhite at the Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents, 626-449-2470.

The Federal Resource Center for Children of Prisoners, in partnership with the National Endowment for Financial Education, the American Correctional Association, the National Institute for Corrections and the Women's Prison Association, have produced a publication entitled "Reuniting: Money, Family and You; A Guide for Women Leaving Prison." Focus groups were held with women under supervision and staff working with women to ensure a useful and user-friendly document. It contains information about finding a job, locating housing, and reuniting with children.

The document, slated for publication in late summer 2004, will be available free of charge. To reserve copies, e-mail alee@cwla.org. Shipping will be in boxes of eighty booklets. (For small, individual orders there may be a shipping and handling charge. For large orders, the shipping and handling may be free as well.) People are encouraged to order large quantities. For additional information : childrenofprisoners@cwla.org

Sweden - 21st July 2004

Solrosen joins Eurochips

The Göteborg-based association Solrosen (Sunflower) has become a member of EUROCHIPS. Solrosen is an independent association launched in 2000 to offer support for children and adolescents of parents who are participating in programs of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, as well as for their relatives. Through its counseling groups, which draw on drama exercises, storytelling, drawing and play and provide continuity and structure, Solrosen aims to boost the child's self-confidence, ease the sense of responsibility for the parent's actions, alleviate feelings of guilt and shame, and help reconcile the often-contradictory emotions toward the parent. Relatives who care for the child are offered the opportunity to join support groups to discuss the same issues as the counselling groups for children and adolescents. Parenting and related matters are also addressed, while incarcerated parents are supported through parent education programs as well as individual and group counseling. In addition, Solrosen provides public information and works to generate awareness and opinion in favour of children and adolescents with incarcerated parents. They are funded primarily by Allmänna Arvsfonden (National Inheritance Fund). Contact: Petra Bostrom. Tel: +46 31 7017380

United Nations - 18th July 2004

International Conference on the Family

The Parent Child 2004-International Conference on the Family, marking the tenth anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family, is taking place in Westminster , London , on June 17-18, 2004. Organized by the National Family and Parenting Institute, the Parenting Education and Support Forum, the National Council for One Parent Families, the Open University, the Trust for the Study of Adolescence and the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), the conference will focus on family-related research policy and practice issues. Family researchers, policymakers, academics, mental health professionals and others working with families in the UK , Australia and the United States will be participating; parallel sessions on poverty, diversity, parenting and other issues are planned. Featured speakers include Margaret Hodge, UK Minister for Children. Lucy Gampbell, director of Eurochips member Action for Prisoners' Families, is presenting a paper on support needs of prisoners' families and guidelines for professionals working in the field. For further information : www.nfpi.org

Belgium - 16th July 2004

The Fonds Houtman funding twelve various initiatives

The Fonds Houtman, a Belgian-based foundation specializing in early childhood issues, is funding twelve various initiatives to help children with imprisoned parents. The actions, to be piloted in nine prisons in French-speaking Belgium , were either prison establishment initiatives or joint initiatives between the latter and the Fonds Houtman. A university research program has also been launched to devise self-evaluation tools for organizations and individuals piloting actions for children separated from an imprisoned parent. A series of recommendations will be drafted, thus providing an overall perspective for current and future work within the field. Recommendations will cover legislative and regulatory matters, material constraints, and preventive action that can be taken to avoid certain difficulties encountered by children with imprisoned parents. For additional information : www.one.be/Houtman/index.htm.

France - 15th July 2004

Workshops for imprisoned fathers

Relais Enfants-Parents (REP) is piloting workshops for imprisoned fathers at the Centre National d'Observation (CNO), located at Fresnes prison, in May. The CNO houses inmates sentenced to over 10 years for a six-week period to determine how and where the sentence will be executed. According to REP staff member Emmanuel Gallaud, the workshops are being carried out on an experimental basis until July, when the program will be evaluated in collaboration with social workers. The workshops will take place twice a month for a two-hour duration. CNO social workers will determine which inmates will be eligible to participate in the workshops; inmates who have been imprisoned for offenses against their children are not eligible. Each workshop will enable eight detainees to make crafts for their children. Discussions revolving around fatherhood and parenting will seek to reinforce the inmate's identity as a parent. The workshops will also serve as a forum to raise awareness on the various initiatives REP carries out to maintain ties between children and their imprisoned parent, notably the accompaniment of children on prison visits to see the incarcerated parent.

Italy - 28th June 2004

“Festa dell'affettività” (Family Ties Days)

Milan-based Bambinisenzasbarre, a EUROCHIPS member, organized two "Festa dell'affettività" (Family Ties Days) on June 12 and 26 for children and imprisoned mothers and fathers at San Vittore Prison. The event, organized in collaboration with City Angels (social exclusion support group); Telefono Azzurro and Cooperativa Alice (a social services co-op), took place in the "spazio verde" inside the prison, which includes a small football field where children and fathers could play soccer. Approximately 120 children aged 0 to 14 participated during the two days. Clowns welcomed the children as they arrived, and inside there were a host of activities : painting, karaoke, face-painting. Parents and children were given the opportunity to spend more intimate quality time together as well. A group of imprisoned fathers staged The Little Prince. Refreshments were served. Children received gifts when it was time to leave, and clowns and Bambinisenzasbarre staff members helped ease the trauma often involved in separation.

Italy - 15th June 2004

Bambini Senza Sbarre inaugurates the Stanza Verde

Bambini Senza Sbarre of Milan is inaugurating the Stanza Verde, an initiative for children with imprisoned parents spearheaded by the association as part of a more comprehensive parenting initiative for detainees run by Relais Genitori Figli (composed of Caritas; national public health services Asl; and Enaip, a private training foundation). The Stanza Verde, located in Milan 's Science and Technology Museum near San Vittore Prison, will offer a place for children with imprisoned parents and their families to wait prior to visiting with the father and mother, which generally requires waiting in line outside the prison for long periods of time, rain or shine. The room is bright and child-friendly, with toys and games and specially trained personnel to help alleviate anxiety and stress among the children. Staff and volunteers can also provide support and information for family members on psychological issues, legal matters and other relevant concerns. During the project's pilot phase, the Stanza Verde will be open on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, beginning May 8. At San Vittore, an estimated 30 percent of male detainees and 50 percent of female detainees have at least one child. There are over 56,000 people currently imprisoned in Italy ; nearly 20,000 have children.

France - 15th June 2004

CNCDH backs a study on prisoners' rights

France's Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme (CNCDH), a human rights advisory body and watchdog group, is backing a study on prisoners' rights, approved March 11, 2004. The study aims to end the legal and judicial void surrounding prisoners and penal establishments while highlighting the basic rights currently in effect at the national and international level. Maintaining family ties, as stipulated in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, is the focus of one of five key sections in the study. . The CNCDH maintains that all decisions made with respect to sentenced detainees should work to foster family stability, particularly if children are involved; other factors favoring the inmate's re-entry into society (training, employment, etc.) should be taken into account as well. The CNCDH also recommends that remand prisoners for whom investigations have been completed and are awaiting sentencing be incarcerated close to home to facilitate maintaining close family ties. With respect to visits, the CNCDH feels that remand prisoners should be eligible for the same visits schemes as sentenced detainees - extended visits that run several hours or two successive half-days, both during the week and on weekends.

The child's best interest must be the prevailing factor in all decisions made concerning the maintaining of family ties between imprisoned parents and their children. Each year in France , between 70,000 and 80,000 children are separated from an imprisoned parent. The imprisonment of parents, notably mothers, with young children must be construed as an exception and, in accordance with EU recommendations, limited to situations in which the mother has harmed her children or is seen as a threat to them. According to the CNCDH, young children living in prisons with their mothers, the age limit of which is currently 18 months, should be allowed to remain with their mothers until age 3, as in some other European countries. Preparation should be made for separation, which needs to be progressive.

For further information :
www.commission-droits-homme.fr

France - 15th June 2004

Father's Day event

In a first, the Relais Enfants Parents-Ile de France (REP-IDF) organized a special Father's Day event on June 23 at Fleury-Mérogis remand prison, in collaboration with ASSODAS (Association for the Support and Development of Socio-Cultural Action at Fleury-Mérogis). Some fifteen fathers and twenty-two children aged from 3 to 11 spent two and a half hours together in a tent put up for the occasion in one of the prison courtyards. There were three clowns -two of whom were inmates-as well as a magician and an accordion player. REP-IDF took charge of contacting the families, transporting the children and organizing refreshments. The event provided a welcome change of venue for fathers and their children, who normally meet in the visits room. Prison staff noted the great level of emotion among participants, underscoring the importance of maintaining family ties between children and imprisoned parents. REP-IDF is seeking to expand the initiative onto a national scale and to include mothers in the event as well. Geneviève Videment, director of Carrefour Solidarité France, which regularly backs initiatives supporting prisoners' children, participated in the event, which was broadcast on French national news.

Northen Ireland - 15th May 2004

New aspect to Child-Centered Visits

The maximum-security prison of HMP Maghaberry in Northern Ireland has introduced a new aspect into their Child-Centered Visits. In keeping with the regular three-hour visits (mother, father, children), special child-centered visits with imprisoned fathers and their children take place during lunch hour once a month; during the lunch period, mothers/partners go to the healthcare center for coffee and informal discussion on issues concerning their loved ones' situation. Since early May, however, the family members/partners of detainees serving life sentences are now being given the opportunity to visit the inmate's cell. The family members are taken on a walking tour of the prison, including the workshop areas. Experience has revealed that visualizing the prisoner's cell and certain aspects of prison life can bring feelings of relief, particularly for family members visiting for the first time. Meanwhile, lunchtime visits for detainee fathers and children encourage and foster communication, non-verbal contact ("tumble on the floor") and bonding. They are staffed by prison officers and the Ulster Quakers Society Staff, volunteers trained in child care. Of the 668 inmates at Maghaberry, approximately 450 are parents.

Sweden - 15th April 2004

World's Children's Honorary Award

Liz Gaynes and her daughter Emani Davis from the United States , who have worked on behalf of prisoners' children for some 20 years, shared the World's Children's Honorary Award with Paul and Mercy Baskar from India , who are fighting against child labor. The prizewinners were announced on April 13 and an award ceremony held at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred , Sweden . Two million American children currently have a parent behind bars. Some ten million children-one in eight in the United States-have seen a parent go to prison. For further information: www.childrensworld.org/wcpswe/2004/nominerade/USA/engelska/index.asp

Sweden - 28th February 2004

Looking for initiatives across Europe

Solrosen, a Goteborg-based association acting on behalf of children with imprisoned parents, is looking for initiatives across Europe that work with groups of prisoners' children for a conference that it is organizing in the near future. If you know of any such initiative, please contact Eurochips at contact@eurochips.org

Northen Ireland - 25th February 2004

Parent in Prison Seminar and Workshop

Governor Austin Treacy, director of inmate services and activities at Maghaberry in tandem with the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), NIACRO and Prison Link, organized a two-day Parent in Prison Seminar and Workshop at Maghaberry and Macgilligan prisons on February 23-24. Day One at Maghaberry, a high security prison outside Belfast , aimed to raise awareness and share good practice in reducing the impact of imprisonment on families and children in particular. The spotlight was on child-centered visits and the crucial role they play in maintaining family ties. Day Two at Magilligan featured a series of workshops designed for prison staff, co-facilitated by Barnardos and by KIDS VIP of EUROCHIPS. The event was opened by Peter Russell, director general of NIPS, and Elizabeth Ayre of EUROCHIPS gave the keynote speech. Prison Minister Jane Kennedy voiced her support for the work being carried out at Maghaberry and Magilligan and for partner associations such as Barnardos.

European Union - 15th February 2004

Council of Europe invites EUROCHIPS to submit recommendations

The Council of Europe has invited EUROCHIPS to submit recommendations on children maintaining family ties with imprisoned parents for the European Prison Rules (EPR, 1987), which are currently undergoing revision. The European Prison Rules, in effect a series of penal guidelines, are a tool for ensuring respect for human rights in detention centers; the Parliamentary Assembly is urging that it be speedily completed. Yet the EPR are not legally binding on Member States. In hopes of resolving this problem, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is drawing up a report (rapporteur: Michel Hunault) which proposes the drafting of a European Prisons Charter to lay down standards binding on States (see Doc. 10097 / 19 February 2004, Council of Europe). The European Parliament motion for a resolution (2003/2188 (INI)) on the rights of prisoners in the European Union expressly mentions the proposal for such a charter put forward by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

For further information : Council of Europe

United Kingdom - 1st January 2004

Action for Prisoners' Families launches informative booklets

Action for Prisoners' Families has launched a series of informative booklets, The Outsiders, published for the partners and families of prisoners. The booklets focus on such issues as living with separation, telling the children and preparing for release, and provide practical information on how to cope when a relative or friend is incarcerated. The booklets are free to families and friends of prisoners. For further information : info@actionpf.org.uk