Innocent Victims: recognising and supporting children affected by imprisonment.

Sarah Roberts, November 2013

“I think it’d be good if teachers got a kind of lesson on how kids like me feel and

what it’s like for us”

Son of prisoner (14)

loss

shock

sadness

loneliness

anger

fear

‘Disenfranchised grief’

… the grief experienced by those who incur a loss that is not, or cannot be, openly acknowledged, publicly mourned or socially supported.

Doka (1999)

stigma

shame

Impact of Imprisonment on Families

Loss of income

Loss of housing

Victimisation

Cost and logistics of transport

Lack of information

Little involvement in the decisions that affect

them

Increased risk of mental health issues

Increased risk of

exclusion fromschool

Increased risk

of future imprisonment

Higher risk of mental and

physicalhealth issues

Mistrust of authority

Being bullied or becoming

the bully

Problems atschool

Trauma of witnessingthe arrest

Keeping secretsor ‘going along

with a lie’

Change ofcare-giver

Children with aclose relative

in prison

“No one explained anything. I knew he was getting kept in, but I didn’t know where.”

Daughter (12)

“I’ve never talked to anyone at school about it…. I’m scared to.”

Daughter (15)

“Someone should have just asked me what was wrong (at school).”

Son (19)

So what can teachers do?

Savannah’s story

and

Kendon’s story

liaise with partner agencies;tell families about

FamiliesOutside

challenge unhelpfulattitudes

encourage on-going contactbetween children and imprisoned

parent s

offer supportto children

affected

help reduce bullying

reach out to the

parent in prison

provide information for

childrenaffected

actively build positive

relationshipswith families

be a community that is aware

and supportive

Schools can

Turning it around

An integrated approach between education, social work, criminal justice and charities

such as Families Outside can achieve:

increased emotional well-being among children

a decrease in harmful behaviour

increased school attendance

reduction in school exclusions

increased engagement in school

positive post-school destinations

greater family engagement with the school and other agencies

Together we can:

Help children become:• successful learners• confident individuals• effective contributors• responsible citizens

Reduce re-offending

Break the cycle of inter-generational offending

www.familiesoutside.org.uk