‘Paying the Price’

 

The Cost and Impact of Imprisonment on Families

Partner Research with The Irish Penal Reform Trust

Remarks by Moninne Griffith, Community Foundation Ireland

Paying the Price: the Cost and Impact of Imprisonment on Families in Ireland’ makes for disturbing – but yet essential reading for all who truly believe in equality and fairness.

Capturing the poignancy of the findings is summed up best by Saoirse Brady of the Trust who has highlighted the contrast shown between how a community responds when a family suffers the loss of a parent – to the response when a loved one is imprisoned.

Ignored, unfriended and unsupported. Your research captures not only the response of the wider community, including friends and neighbours but also the State which seems indifferent to the costs faced by families if a parent is imprisoned.

Community Foundation Ireland has always valued our partnership with the Irish Penal Reform Trust – your work absolutely dovetails with our equality mission.

We are clear, that mission cannot be achieved unless there is an understanding and policies which recognise and reflect the needs of all families.

In addition to a sharing of values we also recognise that our work with the Trust, and in this case also with TASC, is a result of the unique contribution Irish philanthropy can make in allowing work which otherwise may not happen.

As a philanthropic hub we recognise that the work you do is often pioneering and ground-breaking – it is always thought provoking and agenda-setting.

On this report we are also delighted to be partnering with Porticus, the Katharine Howard Foundation and the St Stephen’s Green Trust.

The Research

This is a substantial body of research and a credit to the authors.

Each of you as you read the findings will be struck by different aspects of the report.

What jumps out is that on any given day 5,000 children have a parent in prison.

For many of those children the imprisonment of a parent or family figurehead creates hardship in the home, struggles to keep the lights on, food on the table and clothing for school, play and sport.

Much deeper and possibly with a longer-term impact we hear of the stigma that comes when a loved one goes to prison. Children tell of anxiety, grief and behavioural challenges as their young lives are thrown into turmoil.

Recommendations

There has also been deep consideration of the way forward with evidence-based recommendations.

We will be hearing about them in more depth but in essence the need for a children’s rights approach is absolutely key – this and other supports are outlined.

The need for accessible financial support for single parents, assisted prison visits and addressing the long-standing issue of prison data are all highlighted. Are all worthy. Are all needed.

Ends

Find Out More

Access the full report:  Paying the Price: The cost and impact of imprisonment on families in Ireland | Irish Penal Reform Trust