The Systemic Invisibility of Children of Prisoners

Abstract

This chapter argues that the children of prisoners are rendered invisible from the micro to the macro level, through a series of interconnected processes the chapter refers to as ‘systemic invisibility’. This study, moreover, is situated in the Canadian context, particularly in the experiences of Canadian children of prisoners. While these children make up a sizeable population, and the experience and outcomes of parental incarceration appear to be significant, they are often hidden from view, subject to layers of invisibility. Starting from children’s own families, to their relationship with their schools and communities, to the policies and practices of the prison systems in which they are so tightly intertwined, and finally to the broader social policy context, the chapter discusses the ways in which parental incarceration is kept secret, enigmatic, and poorly understood. Finally, the chapter considers the meanings and reasons behind these connected layers of invisibility.

Symbiotic Harms of Imprisonment and the Effect on Children’s Right to Family Life

“…Due to the recency of events and the "invisible" nature of children affected by parental imprisonment (Knudsen, 2018), our understanding of both the short and longer-term impact of these restrictions on children and families remains poor, particularly where such arrangements are both enduring and indefinite. We do know, however, that the rapid cessation of in-person contact meant that little planning took place to prepare children to say goodbye to symbiotic harms of imprisonment The International Journal of Children's Rights 29 (2021) 305-325 308 their parent, or for relevant supports or technology to be put in place, either within the prison or for families on the outside.…”

La curieuse invisibilité des enfants de détenus dans la politique canadienne de justice pénale

“…J'ai déjà souligné que le manque de données disponibles sur les enfants de détenus au Canada sert une logique si utile qu'on peut la considérer comme stratégique : sans données quantitatives sur ces enfants, ils n'« existent » pas, et donc le système correctionnel n'a aucune responsabilité envers eux (Knudsen, 2018). Un cadre supérieur a offert une réponse intéressante à propos du manque de données collectées par SCC sur les enfants de ses détenus :…”

“…Dans le cadre de ces oppositions binaires, la question des enfants (et des pratiques parentales des détenus) est un élément perturbateur (Knudsen, 2018). Qu'un détenu soit aimé par un enfant qui a besoin de lui suppose que ce détenu a une valeur et une vie au-delà de la prison, et qu'il n'est pas complètement déviant.…”