Amal Yusuf is a second year student on the BSc Education Studies programme. This summer, Amal completed a Widening Participation internship with Professor Jo Staines and Dr Jessica Roy exploring outcomes for, and the experiences of, children who are affected by parental imprisonment. As part of the internship, Amal has written the following blogpost that explores some of the specific issues affecting children who have a parent in prison.
For over 192,000 children in England and Wales, their daily reality is coming home from school to the absence of a parent; not due to a business trip or work but because they are imprisoned. The absences cause significant impacts on the children including emotional, financial, psychological, educational, and social challenges. Recognising this issue, the recently elected Labour Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has acknowledged the scale of children affected by parental imprisonment, and committed to identify and support children and parents involved.
The true scale of children affected by parental imprisonment is likely much greater than figures reported due to a lack of ‘systematic identification’ (Kincaid, Roberts and Kane, 2019) Many families are hesitant to share information about imprisonment due to shame and stigma. Children may struggle with emotions like anger, grief and rejection but often remain silent without the support they need. In some cases, children are told by their families that they’re visiting their parent at work during prison visits (Kincaid, Roberts and Kane, 2019). The secrecy leaves many children isolated and without essential help to address their needs.
Visitation and contact with imprisoned parents are crucial for the well-being of children, families, and society. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to maintain ‘personal relations and direct contact with both parents regularly unless contrary to the child’s best interests’ (UNICEF, 2022). Regular contact can support a child’s stability and sense of identity and may reduce the feeling of abandonment. This is particularly important given that separation as a result of imprisonment affects children differently to other forms of parental loss or absence (Cramer et al., 2017).
Additionally, visits can enhance parental attachment and encourage parents’ participation in rehabilitation programmes. For example, research has shown that ‘parents who receive more visits from their children have lower recidivism rates after release’ (Cramer et al., 2017). These contact visits can benefit families and may help break cycles of intergenerational crime and reduce reoffending.
Maintaining contact with an imprisoned parent through visitations can provide much-needed emotional support but comes with significant challenges. Travelling to prisons can be costly and time-consuming as prisoners are ‘usually placed 100 miles from their address’ (Ghandnoosh, Stammen and Muhitch, 2021) making contact difficult. The high phone call cost further limits communication (Casey Foundation, 2024), often deepening the isolation for both children and their imprisoned parents.
In addition to the financial barriers, the emotional experience of visiting a prison can be deeply distressing, especially for children. The long waiting periods, frisk searches, and crowded, noisy visiting areas can be frightening (Vigne, Davies and Brazzell, 2008). In particular, younger children may struggle to comprehend why their parents are in such conditions – leading to feelings of confusion, fear, and anxiety.
Socially, the stigma around parental imprisonment often leads children to hide their situation causing isolation. The demands of maintaining contact such as adjusting personal plans to take a phone call from their parents in prison can interfere with their social lives. As Kev, a child participating in research, said:
Phone calls, becomes a barrier for your outside life, you know, cos you’re having to then adjust your plans and try and catch these phone calls… (Deacon, 2019).
The need to prioritise contact with their imprisoned parent can strain relationships with peers and disrupt normal social activities, and create a sense of guilt for children when they miss a phone call due to other commitments.
Parental imprisonment may also affect children’s attendance at and engagement in school. For example, studies have shown that they are more likely to experience frequent absences, often due to taking time off school to visit a parent. The constant worry can significantly cause a ‘loss of concentration, worsening of school attainment, and deterioration in behavior and attendance in school’ (UNICEF, 2022).
Addressing the challenges faced by children of imprisoned parents requires governmental and non-governmental organisations to help meet the unique needs of these children. Charities like Child Heard and Seen and Barnardo’s provide vital support through counseling, advocacy, and maintaining family bonds. Expanding these services, improving school interventions and training professionals can help to reduce stigma and meet children’s needs.
The UK government must proactively support children of imprisoned parents by systematically identifying them and improving communication between prisons, courts, schools, and social services. However, this must be done carefully to avoid stigmatising or labeling children, which could cause further harm. By investing in training professionals, funding charities, reducing the costs and locating prisons closer to families would significantly enhance the well-being of, and outcomes for, these vulnerable children.
Documenting statistics
There is also a need for research to document the numbers and demographic characteristics of children affected by parental imprisonment, and to explore their needs and outcomes in the immediate, mid- and longer term. Jo and Jess are developing work in this area and would welcome the involvement of interested parties. To get in touch email jo.staines@bristol.ac.uk or Jessica.roy@bristol.ac.uk.