Action for
Children and Families
of Prisoners
We are a network focused on children and families affected by imprisonment. Our members include community-based organisations, researchers, and advocacy groups. We aim to map current knowledge and supports, and disseminate best practices and actions for change.
The estimated number of children with a parent in prison on any given day in Ireland
The estimated number of children who experience parental imprisonment each year in Ireland
NETWORK NEWS
Response to cancelled prison visits in Castlerea Prison
On 4 July 2023, in response to a parliamentary question by Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan on the ability of prisoners in Castlerea Prison to receive visits from family members, the Minister for Justice and Equality explained that visits to imprisoned people in the...
Children’s Book Project with Kids’ Own in partnership with IPRT
Kids’ Own and Irish Penal Reform Trust's (IPRT) new Children and Families Initiative are working in partnership on a new creative project for children and young people who have experience of having a family member in prison. On 14 June 2023, we were delighted to hear...
IPRT become members of Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) Network
The Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) Network General Assembly meeting took place in Limerick on 9 June 2023 after the COPE conference, which was run in conjunction with Bedford Row Family Project. At the General Assembly meeting, a vote took place to accept Irish...
Children of Prisoners Europe’s (COPE) International Conference 2023: “Reconnecting through Learning and Play”
The Children of Prisoners Europe’s (COPE) International Conference 2023 “Reconnecting through Learning and Play” co-hosted by Bedford Row Family Project, COPE, Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Prison took place in Limerick on 8 June 2023. The conference...
Network submission to DCEDIY Statement of Strategy 2023
On 2 May 2023, Action for Children and Families Network Co-chair, Ashling Tobin, submitted to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth survey consultation on their Statement of Strategy 2023. Below are the responses submitted to the...
Child’s right to regular contact with a parent in detention safeguarded
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. This ruling will support...
