Press release - The Howard League for Penal Reform

• Resources about children affected by sibling imprisonment must be developed forprofessionals, for instance teachers and youth workers• In the school setting, support for those children affected by sibling imprisonmentshould be implemented through whole class approaches, with the capacity toprovide further individual supportFrances Crook, Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform stated“The Howard League for Penal Reform research showed that young children aresuffering emotionally and educationally when their older siblings are sent to prison. Thenet of poor opportunities is being cast even wider - not only are the opportunities ofthose being sent to prison being impeded but so are the opportunities of their youngbrothers and sisters. Surely this research adds to the need to recognise imprisonmentas the last resort because of the destructive consequences on younger siblings whohave done no wrong.”Rosie Meek, author of the report said“The interviews with these children revealed the profound impact that the loss of asibling has on them. Some grieved the loss of their brother while others got into troubleand became disruptive too. But we also found that children regard the imprisonment oftheir sibling as an intensely personal event - they do not want to reveal what hashappened, particularly to their teachers. This provides a real challenge to professionalswho work with young people.”Rob Woolley, Director of Kent Children’s Fund commenting on the research said“This piece of work has been difficult because these children are often ‘invisible’ topolicy makers and are really hard to reach. The siblings, the children and young people,are very vulnerable and we are failing them. All agencies and early intervention servicesneed to read this report and act on its findings.”Note to editorsRosie Meek conducted this research for the Howard League for Penal Reform. Thework was supported by Kent Children’s Fund.Estimates for the number of children affected by the imprisonment of an older sibling isbased on the number of young people aged 21 and under received into custody during2005 and estimates that 80% of children have at least one sibling.In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 children and young people. Each of whomhad experienced or were experiencing the impact of an older brother aged 21 oryounger in prison.www.howardleague.org

A copy of When big brother goes inside: the experience of younger siblings of youngmen in prison can be purchased via the Howard League for Penal Reform’s websitewww.howardleague.org for £10 plus £2.50 postage and packing.Frances CrookAnita DockleyRosie Meek020 7249 7373 x1080207 249 7373 x1090207 249 7373 x109ISDN line available on 020 7923 4196 - uses a G722 system. Interviews may beconducted in advancewww.howardleague.org