2006 News Archives

Netherlands - 16th December 2006

New Focus on Prisoners' Children

Beginning 1 January 2007, the Rotterdam-based foundation Slechts op Bezoek ("Just Visiting") will be shifting its main focus onto children with imprisoned parents. Since its establishment in 1996, Slechts op Bezoek has been offering support to families, friends and other close to offenders. Children have remained largely outside the scope of the foundation's initiatives, the focus being largely on providing advice to the non-imprisoned parent. The new project, known as Koers ("Direction"), has two main objectives: to raise awareness of the specific issues confronted by this forgotten group of children; and to set up projects offering genuine assistance. Priority goals include establishing a website for children with family members in prison and opening a support center for children of imprisoned parents. The idea is to provide a place where children can visit and meet children in similar situations, as well as receive information and assistance.

European Union - 16th August 2006

New three-year European project entitled V.I.P. ( Visiting in Prisons)

A three-year European project entitled V.I.P. ( Visiting in Prisons), part of the European Commission's Grundtvig adult education and life-learning program, has begun involving partners from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Germany and the UK Prisons H.M.P Winchester and The Wolds. This project aims to address offender and child relationships by improving visiting experiences in prisons and by helping the offender to better understand the needs of the child. The project also aims to encourage the prison authorities to have a better understanding of the importance of safeguarding the family bond. These aims will be achieved by the sharing of experiences between countries, encouraging parenting education and involving offenders and their children in writing books that will subsequently be translated for use in the partner countries. Project participants hope that this initiative will provide an opportunity for the voices of prisoners' children and families to be heard. The project, launched in August 2006, came from a European meeting for prison educationalists in Lancaster organized by the British Council. For further information: janet.theodore@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

United Kingdom - 16th July 2006

“Does Every Child Matter?”

The Children Act 2004 introduced the UK Government's "Every Child Matters" program of reform. A conference organized by Action for Prisoners' Families in London in October explored if this was indeed true for meeting the needs of children affected by imprisonment within their families.

United Kingdom - 16th June 2006

An Evaluation of the Safer Locals Programme

A report by researchers at the Cambridge Cambridge Institute of Criminology Prisons Research Centre in England demonstrates how maintaining family ties and contact during imprisonment can help prevent suicide and self harm.

United Kingdom - 16th May 2006

Parental Imprisonment : effects on boys' anti-social behaviour

A new study by Joseph Murray and David P. Farrington of the Cambridge Institute of Criminology in England explores the long-term adverse impact that the imprisonment of a parent can have on children.

Dads and Kids; The Inside Story

It is well documented that the effects on family life when someone is in prison can be enormous, so it is vital to enable prisoners and their families to develop and maintain positive relationships during a prison sentence.

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