“Set the Children Free. Children of prisoners are living within a prison of their own.” This was stated by the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca during a keynote speech at the ‘Children of Prisoners Europe Conference’ in Stockholm.
During her speech the President of Malta pointed out how a parent in prison does not have the capacity to fulfil his legal obligations towards his children. She said how the law in Malta specifies that all children have the right to maintenance by both parents, which also means that the imprisonment of either parent does not dissolve him or her of these obligations. “Imprisoned parents are still legally responsible to ensure that the child is receiving all the required care and a proper education according to their abilities and aspirations. Yet a parent in prison does not have the capacity to fulfil these obligations.”
The President said that she believes that that there is disparity among countries in this regard, but this should encourage all member states to learn from each other, to exchange good practice, so that all children of prisoners will have equal opportunities to thrive, no matter where they live.
“At a time when we constantly promote inclusive societies, the concept should be made a reality for children from a very young age,” the President said.
During her speech in Stockholm, the President encouraged the conference to discuss the formulation of a policy giving possible options in allocating a person or agency to assume responsibility for children of prisoners at a national level. She stated that children of prisoners should have a structured contact point that looks after their wellbeing.
The President explained how the barriers surrounding the children take varying forms; notably, being bullied and judged, having a feeling of shame, and suffering exclusion.
“In the European Union alone, it is estimated that there are almost a million children whose parent is incarcerated. In Malta alone, the smallest state in the European Union, it is estimated that in 2010 there were 122 children of imprisoned parents, according to a study carried out by the non-government organisation Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl, which is represented here today.”
The President reiterated the importance of the contact between the child and the imprisoned parent, and the possibility of the parent to provide financial support to the child and the allocation of responsibility when the incarcerated parent is prohibited from doing so.
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca congratulated Sweden, for taking the initiative to try to incorporate the Convention of the Rights of the Child into its national law.
“Nature or nurture, I truly believe no child is born a criminal, but circumstances and lack of support may determine that child’s future and that is why children of prisoners should have a structured contact point that looks after their wellbeing.”