Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) (formerly European Action Research Committee for Children of Imprisoned Parents or EUROCHIPS) is a pan-European network acting to support children with imprisoned parents.
History
Within the European Union, some 1 million children are separated from their parents each year due to parental incarceration. The organisation began in 1993 under the name European Action Research Committee on Children of Imprisoned Parents (EUROCHIPS) thanks to the combined efforts of Alain Bouregba of Relais Enfants-Parents and the Bernard van Leer Foundation. EUROCHIPS was set up as an exploratory body to develop a consensus on integrated good practice schemes, promote quality good practice norms, foster the exchange of ideas and information, enhance the competence of professionals working in the field of parental incarceration and raise awareness among decision-makers and the general public in Europe. Its work is firmly grounded in a child's rights perspective based on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, in particular children's rights to maintain direct contact with a parent in prison when in their best interest.
EUROCHIPS was formalised as an association in 2000 by Relais Enfats-Parents, Save the Children and Relais Enfants-Parents Belgium under the name European Committee for Children of Imprisoned Parents. With continued funding from the Bernard van Leer Foundation, EUROCHIPS organised awareness-raising events and participated in research projects to promote the spread of knowledge relating to children with imprisoned parents.
In 2013, EUROCHIPS received an Operating Grant from the European Commission and its name changed to Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE). With the ongoing support of the European Commission and the Bernard van Leer Foundation, the organisation continues to work under its new name to protect the rights and needs of children with imprisoned parents in Europe and beyond, in tandem with its members and affiliates.
Mission
Children of Prisoners Europe’s mission is to safeguard the social, political and judicial inclusion of children with an imprisoned parent, while fostering the pursuit and exchange of knowledge which enhances good practices, and contributes to a better understanding of the psychological, emotional and social development of these children. It aims to put children at the heart of policy making.
COPE’s vision is that every child be guaranteed fair, unbiased treatment, protection of his or her rights, and equal opportunities regardless of social, economic or cultural heritage. This organisation is the only pan-European network working exclusively on behalf of these children.
Operations
Children of Prisoners Europe headquarters are in Montrouge, France. The executive director of Children of Prisoners Europe is Liz Ayre. COPE is a membership-based organisation with members and affiliates from 23 countries worldwide. Policy developments in 2015 included initiating a Written Question for the European Commission on children of prisoners (JHA/2008/909) with MEP Jean Lambert—which received a Written Answer from the Commission—and ensuring that children of prisoners were included as part of the group of vulnerable children in the Council of Europe’s child rights strategy 2016-2021.