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Event highlights the ‘hidden sentence’ of having a parent in prison.

Over 50 practitioners, policy makers, and social care students attended an event in Newcastle this week (25 March) with the aim of improving care and support for children and young people who have a family member in prison.

The event was part of the ‘Divided Households’ study, led by Newcastle University and supported by the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria.

It included a performance of a hard-hitting play called ‘8 Hours There and Back’ which depicts the real-life experiences of children who have a parent in prison.

Told through a fusion of theatre, dance and projections, the play follows the stories of Ruby, Jake and Grace to examine how a system set up by adults is failing children.

It is estimated that around 300,000 children are impacted by parental incarceration, but there is very little understanding or representation of their stories and experiences.

Developed by the All Things Considered theatre company, ‘8 Hours There and Back’ is based on real stories from children and young people impacted by parental imprisonment, and uses the power of theatre to support better understanding of the issues and challenges children face.

The performance included scenes around witnessing a parent’s arrest, feelings of shame, managing difficult emotions, and lasting trauma – as well as challenges around travel, inconsistent visiting rules, the prison environment, and other significant impacts.

The performance was followed by interactive workshops where practitioners, policy makers and social care students were asked to consider how services could be improved, and to develop a ‘road map’ that might make this happen.

The outcomes from the workshop and feedback from the event will be fed into the ongoing project and used to highlight challenges and solutions, with the aim of influencing positive change. This will include recommendations for further training across all sectors working with children impacted by a relative in prison.

Dr Steph Scott Senior Lecturer in public health at Newcastle University, who is leading the study, said: “Our research has found children and young people often tell very few people about having a family member in prison due to fear of stigma and judgement.

“The production, 8 Hours There and Back, is in direct recognition of the power that the arts can have to amplify the voices of marginalised communities.”

Dr Naomi Griffin, project researcher at Newcastle University, said: “We want to ensure those working in social care, criminal justice, health, education and voluntary sector, give the youngsters support that is compassionate, child-centred and provides clarity and consistency at all stages.”

The project has also been supported by Nepacs – a North East charity which aims to promote a positive future for people who have been affected by adverse situations in their lives.

Amanda Lacey, Chief Executive of Nepacs, said: “When a child experiences the arrest or imprisonment of a parent or close family member, they become subject to their own ‘hidden sentence’ which brings feelings of isolation, shame, confusion and abandonment without someone who can readily provide answers or a listening ear.

“We have been privileged to be involved in Newcastle’s Divided Households project, giving young people a chance to share their experiences and speak up about what changes need to be made to ensure those who experience the traumatising event of a loved one going to prison are considered and receive the support they need at every step of their journey.”

Read more about the Divided Households study.

The Divided Households study is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) New Investigator Grant and delivered by Newcastle University.