Why we exist

There are at least 44 million children who have a parent in prison. The real number is likely to be much higher since these figures are based on official governmental statistics which often underreport the numbers of prisoners. The number of children whose parents are in prison worldwide is bigger than the total population of a country like Spain.
Prison populations are growing in 71% of the world's countries.

The children of prisoners must cope with profound suffering. The psychological and emotional problems these children face are often overwhelming. The arrest of a parent brings fear, confusion and panic. Before and during the trial children feel anxiety and frustration. At the moment of sentencing, they are overcome with hopelessness and helplessness. Upon the parent's imprisonment the child experiences abandonment, stigma and resentment. At the time of, and after the release, children have ambivalent feelings. Moreover, if conviction is linked with domestic violence, these traumas will likely multiply

The developmental and behavioural implications due to the imprisonment of a parent are many. Read more about this in our charter.