Providing a Protective Environment for Children with Incarcerated Parents: The Role of Civil Society

Of course, the influence and impact of CSOs varies from country to country and depends on their capacity to raise funds, impact the political, legal, social, and child protection systems, and to a large extent depends on the support of government and their willingness to work cooperatively with CSOs. [...] THE HOLISTIC NATURE OF THEIR WORK • In general, CSOs take a wrap-around and holistic approach to child protection, and take into account the best interests of the child and their families, and make the links between different aspects of their lives including safety/security, housing, health, education, play and recreation, the role of parents and other caring adults in the child’s life. [...] AWARENESS RAISING AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION • The purpose of raising awareness and mobilizing community is to ensure that government and the public understand that the CIP is an important and growing issue that needs attention; and also to understand the situation from the point of view of CIP and families and to understand their needs. [...] • Because they are issue focused and strategic, CSOs collaborate well, create coalitions and knowledge hubs, referral chains, social media posts, run information and awareness campaigns, develop relationships with the media, print posters and brochures to increase the community’s understanding of the rights of CIP and how it can help which brings me to… 3. [...] Some advocate for the abolition of prisons and others for the promotion of alternatives to incarceration; others work in courts to provide judges with information on the offender during sentencing so that the courts consider the impact of their decisions on the children (to fully consider the best interests of the child in making decisions about offenders with parental responsibilities during sent.