SIR – Around 200,000 children in England and Wales are starting their school holidays this week with a parent in prison. And when a parent is incarcerated, their children are left behind in the shadows.
The imprisonment of a much-loved parent is often deeply upsetting and sadly, some children never recover from this early trauma. Indeed the children of prisoners are twice as likely to experience behavioural or mental health problems.
Despite the potentially devastating affects of parental imprisonment on their families, no agency has responsibility for identifying or protecting these overlooked and isolated children or vulnerable adults. This is a tragedy because, with the right support, it is possible for families to both keep in contact and to break the cycle of offending for good.
We are calling on the government to amend the Criminal Justice Bill so that in future courts will be legally obliged to ask if individuals being sentenced have children or vulnerable adults dependent on them. To find out more about our campaign, please visit barnardos.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/releaserachel.
Steve Oversby, Director for Barnardo’s in Yorkshire
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