No child should face a family member's imprisonment alone
When a family member goes to prison, the children left behind often cope in silence. Through the Sentence is here for those children, and for the parents and carers looking after them.We offer one-to-one mentoring, small group sessions, and support for carers. Delivered online, available anywhere in England and Wales. Every service we provide is free.
How we can help
Children and young people
Time with your own mentor, and groups where you will meet others who understand.
Why we are here
Almost 193,000 children in England and Wales have a parent in prison. No system identifies them, and when a parent is sentenced, courts are under no requirement to notify the local authority that a child is affected. Most receive no targeted support at all.These children are around twice as likely as their peers to experience conduct and mental health problems. Much of this comes not from the imprisonment itself, but from what surrounds it: the separation, the stigma, and the instability at home.We want to change that, one child at a time.
Get in touch
You do not need a referral, and you do not need to be sure we are the right fit. If something here sounds like your family, or a child you work with, talk to us.
We are not an emergency service. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.