2011 News Archives

European Union - 6th December 2011

European Commission Green Paper

The European Commission sent out a call for submissions this year for their Green Paper on the application of EU criminal justice legislation in the field of detention.

European Union - 22nd November 2011

UN Special Day of General Discussion for children with imprisoned parents

The UN Special Day of General Discussion on Children with Imprisoned Parents, held in Geneva on 30 September, was a landmark event, representing the first time that the issue of children with imprisoned parents (ChIPS) has been discussed substantively in a United Nations forum.

Germany - 22nd November 2011

German government launches query into children with imprisoned parents

With the ratification of the United Nation’s Convention on Children’s Rights, the German government committed itself to respecting the rights of the child separated from one or both parents by making contact to both parents possible, provided this does not interfere with the best interest of the child. Accordingly, compliance with children’s rights during the different stages of arrest, conviction of the parent and visits to the detention centre is of utmost importance.

Norway - 8th November 2011

Establishing child ambassadors

Thanks to the joint efforts of Norwegian politicians, the ministry of Justice and The Organisation for Families and Friends of Prisoners (FFP), each Norwegian prison is likely to be assigned a child ambassador to represent the needs of this vulnerable group of children.

United Kingdom - 8th November 2011

Our newest addition from Scotland

New Eurochips member Families Outside is working alongside Members of the Scottish Parliament to coordinate a new Cross-Party Group on Children and Families Affected by Imprisonment. The Group met for the first time on 26 October 2011.

Czech Republic - 8th November 2011

"When Daddy Is Behind Bars" documentary broadcasts in the Czech Republic

Eurochips partner Czech Helsinki Committee (CHC), in cooperation with Czech Television, has produced a documentary entitled "When Daddy Is Behind Bars".

Switzerland - 7th November 2011

Swiss Society of Forensic Psychology event

Carrefour Prison, a Eurochips member based out of Geneva, recently participated in an event held by the Swiss Society of Forensic Psychology with much success.

Italy - 4th November 2011

Prison-staff training in Italy launched by Bambinisenzasbarre

Training workshops focused on combining security and safety for children visiting their parents in prison have begun in Italy. The workshops train existing prison staff on engaging and interacting with children in an environment often perceived as potentially traumatic. The initiative, spearheaded by Eurochips member Bambinisenzasbarre, began last spring.

New Zealand - 4th November 2011

Meet our newest affiliate member, Pillars

Eurochips is pleased to announce our latest affiliate member, Pillars. Based out of New Zealand, we are particularly impressed with their online work provided to children with imprisoned parents. We've included here a brief outline of their work, mission, and website.

European Union - 14th October 2011

Recent Developments for the COPING Research Project

COPING is a child-centred research project which aims to investigate the characteristics of children with imprisoned parents, their resilience, and their vulnerability to mental health problems.

European Union - 13th October 2011

Emerging Findings of the COPING Research Project

The COPING project research is still at a relatively early stage, so comment upon the impacts of it at this point is premature. However, throughout the four nations in which the research is conducted, five main themes are beginning to emerge from the in-depth child-centred interviews.

Switzerland - 12th October 2011

Committee on the Rights of the Child UN Day of General Discussion

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) focused the annual UN Day of General Discussion (DGD) this September on children with imprisoned parents. Representatives from the COPING project were in attendance amongst the various NGOs and European networks present. In addition, children from the COPING project were invited to attend and speak on their experiences.

European Union - 10th October 2011

Mapping of Services for children with imprisoned parents

Since the launch of the COPING project, one of the research teams has been patiently mapping the available services for children with imprisoned parents throughout Europe. Great progress has been made on this front, and the team is excited to be constructing a database of services available in the various nations.

European Union - 8th October 2011

COPING Communication & Publication Strategy

The COPING project has many objectives, one of which being the production of several publications based on the research findings. At this stage in the project, the Communication and Publication Strategy is being put into action and the first publications emerging from the COPING project are being released.

Belgium - 21st June 2011

Children's art on display in the European Parliament

A 2-day art event in the European Parlament kicks off the official launch of the newly released DIHR study Children of Imprisoned Parents. You can download the full or summarised report from our site.

Spain - 20th June 2011

Eurochips conference "Improving Children's participation"

Eurochips General Assembly was flanked by a dynamic conference focussing on Child Participation and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Spain - 20th June 2011

Eurochips General Assembly in Spain

Lucy Gampell shares her experience from his annual Eurochips forum which allows the network members to gather and share, discuss and exchange also beyond the official agenda.

Germany - 20th June 2011

Bedtime stories from prison

Eurochips member Hoppenbank e.V provides insights into the project "Ich lese für dich. Gute-Nacht-Geschichten aus dem Gefängnis" (I read for you. Bedtime stories from prison)

European Union - 8th June 2011

Recent developments for Coping Research Project

European Union - 31st May 2011

Please support our campaign!

This is a reminder that our Invisible Children’s Week campaign is now in full swing.

European Union - 2nd May 2011

European Prisoner Children Campaign 2011 is launched

Join the campaign! Our goal is to achieve recognition in the European Parliament of the challenges that children of prisoners face every day.

European Union - 28th March 2011

Second European Prisoners Children Week coming up in June

Eurochips is gearing up for the second edition of the European Prisoners’ Children Awareness Week campaign which is now underway for 2011. The general message of the campaign is that the issue of prisoners’ children is a public health issue, and specific attention needs to be paid to the repercussions of parental incarceration on the child’s psychological development and future socialization.

Northern Ireland - 15th March 2011

Niacro becomes a Eurochips member

NIACRO, the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, is an NGO providing a range of services to people and communities affected by crime and recently joined the Eurochips network.

Netherlands - 10th March 2011

How volunteers can make a difference

Eurochips member Exodus is a Holland-based organisation which focuses on the resocialisation and rehabilitation of ex-convicts, aiming to assist former detainees in their return to normal life, and thereby preventing a relapse into a criminal lifestyle. The organisation began its work in 1981 with a housing- and employment programme.

Slovenia - 5th March 2011

Eurochips participates in EXOCoP Workshop

Eurochips Board member Kate Philbrick represented the Eurochips Network as external expert at the EXOCoP workshop Family relationship & Resettlement on the rehabilitation of offenders which took place in Ljubljana from March 1-2 2011 and shares her experiences from the event

France - 3rd March 2011

Eurochips launches new art event on March 15th in Paris

Eurochips has the honour and pleasure to announce that Ms. DOMINIQUE VERSINI, Ombudsman for children in France and Mr. CHRISTIAN Le ROUX, Representative of the Mediateur de la Republique, have both accepted our invitation and will attend Eurochips’ new art event March 15th, 2011 in Paris.