A special ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ was played on November 7 between children and their imprisoned parents at the Sergio Cosmai prison in Cosenza. Children and their caregivers arrived early at the Cosenza prison after a process that spanned across several months. This programme involved meetings between imprisoned parents, their children and family members, with the active and ongoing support of educators and prison staff to go through what the project ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ is about and what it involves.
They were greeted by Commander Agostino Sestino, Head of Educational Services Maria Francesca Branca, and the Calabria representative for Bambinisenzasbarre, Carmen Rosato. After welcoming them, Commander Sestino, along with several prison officers, accompanied the children and their families to the recently renovated football field, where the fathers eagerly awaited the arrival of their children.
On the field, children and fathers shared warm greetings and wore special shirts designed for the 2024 edition of ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ campaign (yellow for children, blue for parents). Since 2015, Bambinisenzasbarre have been organising this initiative in collaboration with the Department of Prison Administration (DAP) to provide families impacted by imprisonment a special, fun day—a ‘normal’ experience for most children, but a unique and meaningful day for those with a parent in prison.
“The game between imprisoned parents and their children took place in a calm, family-like setting where the children, thanks to the direct contact with their dads, felt immediately at ease.”
– Carmen Rosato
Everyone present followed the game enthusiastically, cheering and applauding, especially for the children’s goals against their fathers, demonstrating the dedication of both children and parents throughout the event.
Following the game, a relaxed and more intimate gathering was held in the prison’s ‘green area’1, with refreshments including sweets, drinks and snacks provided by Liberamente, a prison volunteer association working in partnership with Bambinisenzasbarre in the Cosenza prison. At 11:30am, before being escorted back to the prison exit, the children and their imprisoned parents shared a warm farewell, exchanging brief but meaningful words.
One father expressed his feelings about the day — a sentiment shared by the other: “It’s wonderful to have meetings like this; all visits should be like this.”
A child said to his father who was holding him: “It was so great, Dad. Let’s play again next time!”
Another little girl holding her dad’s hand commented: “Dad, I haven’t had this much fun in ages. It was amazing here.”
Across Europe, ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ is organised by Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE), following the model created and developed by member Bambinisenzasbarre, working nationwide in Italy. The aim of the campaign is to strengthen, maintain and enhance the bond between children and their imprisoned parents and to generate systemic, child-rights based change across prison systems.
1 In Italian prisons, the ‘area verde’ (green area) is a designated visitat space, often outdoors, where imprisoned people can meet with their families, particularly children, in a more relaxed and natural setting aimed at supporting family bonds.
