Children of Prisoners Europe member organisations’ map

COPE defends the rights and needs of children when a parent goes to prison.
It’s an international network connecting 136 members and affiliates across 37 countries in Europe and beyond.

Children of Prisoners Europe

Who we are

Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) is a pan-European network working with and on behalf of children with imprisoned parents.

Our vision

That every child be guaranteed fair, unbiased treatment, protection of his or her rights, and equal opportunities regardless of gender, social, economic or cultural heritage.

Our mission

COPE mission is to prevent and respond to violations of the rights of children with imprisoned parents, from arrest through to reintegration after the end of a prison sentence, to ensure their individual needs are met, and their best interests are continuously assessed. We take a systems approach to improving the lives of children with imprisoned parents, namely ensure that the systems (welfare, social, justice, education, …) children come into contact with are able to respect their rights and meet their needs, rather than expecting children to adapt to inadequate systems and supports.

Bambini senza sbarre

Who we are

The Associazione Bambini senza barre Ets is committed, in Italy and abroad, to the protection of children's rights, in particular children of detained persons. It is a member of COPE, the CRC Group and is a consultant member of UN Ecosoc. It is COPE executive partner for GWMD.

Our mission

Bambinisenzasbarre advocates for children's rights, focusing on preserving family relationships when one or both parents are detained. It works to protect the child's right to maintain emotional bonds, while raising awareness among institutions and civil society about the importance of supporting these connections.

Our work

Bambinisenzasbarre is active at the national level with the 'Yellow Space System' reception model – together with 15 more actions inside and outside the prison –, support children visiting prison to meet their father or mother and advocates for the rights of disadvantaged children.

Our Advocacy

On March 21, 2014, it signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Justice and the National Guarantor for Children and Adolescents - the first Charter of Rights for Children of Imprisoned Parents in Europe.