Parents in prison: the impact on children

The impact on children of having a parent in prison is the subject of an investigation by MPs and Peers on the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Each year thousands of children are separated from their primary carer when that carer is imprisoned. Even short periods can lead to the child being forced to move home, experiencing poverty, having problems at school or having emotional, behavioural and health problems. Only 5% of children remain in the family home if their mother goes to prison. Should there be a stronger presumption against custodial sentences for mothers? How well do current safeguards for children work? Submissions of no more than 1,500 words should be submitted to the committee by 15 October via bit.ly/2ODpPnA.