Children and families coping with imprisonment are often described as the ‘hidden’ victims of the penal system because they must endure their own sentence, despite not having perpetrated any crime. There are a variety of ways in which children and families can be affected by imprisonment including: disruption to child care arrangements, relationship breakdowns, financial loss and stigmatisation.
IPRT works towards the recognition and support of the rights and needs of children and families affected by imprisonment through research, advocacy, and awareness-raising activities. This includes an exciting three-year project (commenced in mid-2020) on families of prisoners, aiming to reduce harm for children and families affected by imprisonment, with a particular focus on reducing female imprisonment. We’re very grateful to our funders, Katharine Howard Foundation and St Stephen’s Green Trust, for supporting such a timely piece of work. You can read more about the network of organisations working in the area set up under the project on actionforfamilies.ie.
Please note this section contains information about advocacy and developments, both national and international. Practical information for prisoners and their families is available here.
31st January 2024
Together a Chance’ by CASCADE is an evaluation of a three-year pilot scheme that placed social workers in two women’s prisons in England. The pilot project intended to support and advocate for women whose children are involved with children’s social care in the originating local authority.
29th November 2023
The Journal's Noteworthy initiative reports on their investigation of prison visits.
21st November 2023
The launch of the Young Ireland National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 includes children impacted by parental imprisonment.
3rd November 2023
IPRT comments on the difficulties for children of imprisoned parents in maintaining a relationship with their parents as she attended the kids camp event at Shelton Abbey open prison.
4th July 2023
IPRT’s Children and Families Initiative is concerned about the cancellation of Saturday visits in Castlerea Prison on 4 July 2023 due to staff shortages and the impact this has in relation to children and family members.
9th June 2023
IPRT become full members of the Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) Network at their General Assembly.
21st March 2023
A ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (21 March) that safeguards a child's right to regular contact with a parent in detention, specifically in this case pre-trial detention, has marked a major development in European case law.
21st February 2023
A practical resource for practitioners, and a visionary resource for policy makers, from the Prison Reform Trust UK to support children with a mother in the criminal justice system
12th December 2022
Media release: The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) welcomed the news of the reinstatement of weekly physical visits in prisons in Ireland.
12th September 2022
*The deadline for applications has passed.*
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.