By Children of Prisoners Europe | Organisation
The double burden of stigma
Children with an imprisoned parent often live under a cloud of stigma. For Roma children who have a parent in prison, these difficulties are often intensified by longstanding societal prejudices and systemic discrimination against Roma communities. Systemic discrimination, segregation (especially in education and housing) and limited economic opportunities have long marginalised Roma people.This intersectional stigma means they face a ‘double burden’: the disruption associated with parental imprisonment together with discrimination towards the Roma community. Stigma is embedded in policies and institutional practices that marginalise Roma communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty and exclusion and limiting access to education and healthcare.
When these factors are combined, they can diminish children’s ability to build resilience and maintain a positive sense of self — both essential for coping with the challenge of parental imprisonment.
Addressing stigma thus requires holistic, intersectional approaches that acknowledge these layered experiences. The model developed by COPE member Romodrom (Czechia) offers structured play sessions, music workshops and supportive group activities, providing a safe space where children can feel empowered and build their resilience.
A model for Europe
Romodrom will present the development and results of the project at the upcoming Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) 2025 Conference in Malta. This will mark an important opportunity to spotlight the unique challenges faced by Roma children and how they have laid the critical groundwork required for implementing the Game with Mum & Dad (GWMD) campaign within prisons in 2026.
By sharing insights from its project, Romodrom aims to offer a replicable model for working with marginalised communities across Europe. This includes practical guidance for how community-based organisations can build bridges where institutions have fallen short. By embedding arts, play and community support into interventions, and including key stakeholders such as prison staff, Romodrom showcases a powerful approach to changing attitudes, dismantling stigma and fostering resilience among vulnerable children. This model highlights the importance of culturally grounded, community-led initiatives in breaking down barriers and promoting social inclusion—actually celebrating the culture itself instead of emphasising the need to adopt the “normative” culture and assimilate dominant socio-cultural values and behaviours.
By Children of Prisoners Europe | Organisation
By Children of Prisoners Europe | Organisation
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