Children with Parent in Prison-Game with Mum & Dad

As 2024 concluded, the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ campaign successfully completed its second year, expanding its reach to engage over 2000 children who have a parent in prison from six European countries — the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the Netherlands and the UK (Scotland). This growth represents a significant milestone compared to 2023, demonstrating the campaign’s commitment to broadening its impact. Alongside this geographic expansion, the initiative introduced key updates, including a redesigned website, new social media channels, and a unified approach across participating countries, all following the model developed by COPE member Bambinisenzasbarre.

Financial support from the UEFA Foundation for Children and the encouraging presence of some FIFA referees strengthened the visibility of this topic, allowing all partners to advocate far and wide on the rights of children impacted by a parent’s imprisonment.

Shifting perceptions 

A key achievement of the GWMD campaign was its dedication to transforming children’s perceptions of prisons by creating family-friendly environments during visits. For many children, the idea of prison is shaped by images from television, evoking feelings of fear and anxiety about their parent’s situation. This experience is often compounded by the stigma that surrounds imprisonment, which impacts not only children but also caregivers and imprisoned or formerly imprisoned parents. The stigma associated with having a loved one in prison is frequently mentioned as one of the most debilitating factors, creating barriers to emotional support and social acceptance. The campaign aimed to shift these perceptions, break down stigma and foster a more compassionate understanding of families impacted by imprisonment. By creating spaces for playful, creative activities that encourage laughter, hugs and joy, the campaign helped children associate prison visits with positive memories. Children were willing to return in the future, reinforcing emotional bonds. One child participating in Germany expressed this feeling by saying, “I loved this! I would like to come back very soon”.

Supporting fatherhood in prison

GWMD also addresses gendered, societal assumptions about caregiving roles by championing fathers and highlighting the importance of father-child relationships. At the ‘Antimo Graziano’ Correctional Facility in Italy, fathers and their children shared a rare opportunity to bond through play. Reflecting on the experience, one father noted, “When I was outside, I never did this; it was always their mother who took care of them.” This initiative challenged, and continues to challenge, traditional norms by demonstrating that fathers, even from prison, can and want to play a meaningful and nurturing role in their children’s lives.

A collaborative model for success

The success of GWMD is rooted in the collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the lives of children with a parent in prison. This was particularly evident in the games hosted in Poland, where COPE member Probacja organised four events involving 62 children, 39 parents, and 17 caregivers. These events brought together caregivers, prison officers, educators, and NGO staff, creating a coordinated and supportive environment for families. 

By bringing these sectors together under one roof, the campaign promotes a more harmonised approach to support. Sustainable models of collaborative support involve sectors talking to each other while keeping the child’s needs front and centre at all times.

Looking ahead

2024 saw significant growth and impactful partnerships across Europe were forged. In its second year, the initiative made considerable strides by focusing on changing perceptions, strengthening family bonds and promoting collaborative practices, ultimately boosting visibility of the needs of children with imprisoned parents and promoting systemic respect of their rights. As COPE commits to accelerating and building on this campaign, making this an annual event, it remains a powerful tool for children's rights and a key driver of change in both public awareness and prison policies.