1. European standards regarding children of imprisoned parents
Ilina Taneva, Secretary to the Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP)
Dublin, 6 September 2017

2. The Council of Europe – 47 MS
Standards – adopted by CM – binding and soft law standards
Monitoring bodies – to ensure implementation
Assistance and co-operation activities

3. Two Conferences of Directors of Prison and Probation Services in 2015 and 2016 dealt with children of imprisoned parents
Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child ( ) - point 13 refers specifically to children of imprisoned parents
COPE – very active and major partner in this field
Very interesting initiatives collected by COPE - Bambinisenzasbarre is an excellent example in this regard

4. What is on the table currently
Work started in February 2017 on a CM Recommendation concerning children of imprisoned parents. Expected to be finalised at the end of 2017, adopted by the CM at the beginning of 2018
COPE provided two experts – Kate Philbrick and Ria Wolleswinkel; Liz Ayre, COPE Director
CAHENF sent their representative at the meetings and provided an expert Aisling Parkes

5. Value added
This synergy in the work on the text between the different divisions of the CoE and also with outside organisations competent in the field – very positive and needed
Text in line with EPR and other relevant CM recommendations as well as CPT standards
Questionnaire sent out – 26 country replies (in addition from Germany – 9 länder replies)

6. Scope and contents of the Recommendation
Covers: children under 18
Addressees: parents, prisons, police, judiciary, other bodies, competent in the field
Underlying values spelled out
Basic principles spelled out
Starts at arrest by the police, judicial orders and sentences and ends with through care
Unless under national law majority is attained earlier means cases of emancipation of a minor
Both infant children in prison and visiting children are covered
A person holding parental responsibilities

7. Police, court and prison authorities
Child-sensitive manner of working
Preserving child-parent relation very important
Selection and training of staff
Conditions of imprisonment, allocation, contacts
Infants in prison
Multi-disciplinary ad multiagency

8. Challenges
When different agencies are responsible partnership and sustainability are an issue
Data lack in many countries due to different reasons – difficult to intervene in such a case
In some MS economic conditions and public opinion are an area of concern

9. Thank you for your attention! For more information: www.coe.int/prison