Having worked with children of incarcerated parents for many years under Wells of Hope, which I founded in 2002, I was deeply touched by the numerous stories of the children I encountered in my home country, Uganda, Africa. This experience led me to wonder about the global situation, prompting questions about the experiences of children with incarcerated parents in Europe, Asia, America, and beyond.
Between 2012 and 2015, I had the opportunity to travel the world, attending conferences on families of people in prison. These events allowed me to meet various individuals working on issues related to children with incarcerated parents. My travels took me to Belgium, Spain, the UK, Wales, Switzerland, and the United States of America. I attended conferences, seminars, and met with people on an individual basis.
In September 2013, I spoke at the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, participating as a panelist in a discussion on the human rights of children of parents on death row or executed.
Through these meetings in different countries, I encountered a few individuals and charities dedicated to supporting these children. While consulting with Walter Long in Austin, Texas, in 2014 about the formation of The International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated – Parents INCCIP, he described the efforts of those working with children of incarcerated parents as ‘VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS.’ I suggested that we connect these voices, initially proposing the name Families of Prisoners Voices – FOPVOICES.
The goal was to bring together groups and individuals focused on the issue of children with incarcerated parents, facilitating the sharing of experiences, knowledge, research, and best practices. This collective effort aimed to form a joint agenda on behalf of these often-forgotten children.
Through these meetings in different countries, I encountered a few individuals and charities dedicated to supporting these children. While consulting with Walter Long in Austin, Texas, in 2014 about the formation of The International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated – Parents INCCIP, he described the efforts of those working with children of incarcerated parents as ‘VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS.’ I suggested that we connect these voices, initially proposing the name Families of Prisoners Voices – FOPVOICES.
The goal was to bring together groups and individuals focused on the issue of children with incarcerated parents, facilitating the sharing of experiences, knowledge, research, and best practices. This collective effort aimed to form a joint agenda on behalf of these often-forgotten children.
I subsequently connected with numerous friends, including Ben Raikes, Ivi Brown, Walter Long, Koen Sevenants, Sandra Joy, Susannah Sheffer, Laurel Townhead (QUNO), Rebecca Ginsburg, Luciano Cadoni, Aileen Keays, Corin Morgan-Armstrong, Owen Gill, Tim Carter, Carolyn Esparza, Liz Gordon, Verna McFelin, Nancy Loucks, and others.
I later discovered that on September 30, 2011, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child devoted its Day of General Discussion to the topic of children of incarcerated parents, with approximately 200 participants in attendance. At that time, some participants emphasized the need for an international network to bring all actors together. This proposal made it easier for me to advocate for the formation of INCCIP.
In 2015, INCCIP was officially launched on the sidelines of the Prisoners Families Conference in Dallas, Texas. I extend my gratitude to Ben Raikes, who worked closely with me, and Ivi Brown. Collaborating with Ben Raikes makes the impossible possible.
The establishment of INCCIP has provided answers to my initial questions about the global situation of children with incarcerated parents. Today, we see these children emerging from the shadows, and their voices are being heard.
Although there is still much work to be done, significant progress has been made.
My dream was for children with incarcerated parents to have a voice at the UN amd glad that progress is being made about this.
As the INCCIP Ambassador, I am determined to help establish INCCIP chapters in various parts of the world.
I would like to express my gratitude to Ivy Brown, Nancy Loucks, Ben, and the rest of the team who worked with me to found INCCIP. I also appreciate the efforts of those who have spearheaded INCCIP as Board Members.
Ben, thank you for believing in me and helping to co-found INCCIP.. Let us work together to create a better world for children with a parent in prison.
