The Children of Prisoners Expert Group met in May 2022 in Kecskemet, Hungary. The dissemination of the main messages of the Council of Europe – Recommendation on a national level was stressed as it is the last year of these expert group. The importance of collaboration between different responsible agencies and authorities was emphasised in being a crucial prerequisite for an adequate implementation of the Recommendation in all over Europe.

The meeting was held in the regional court. Two presentations from the host countries were provided:

First, the Deputy President of the Regional Court, Criminal Division of Kecskemét Court of Law, explained the Children’s rights during judicial proceedings. He mentioned the principles of necessity and graduality and processes of the Hungarians court system. Second, a presentation of a representative of the County Police Headquarters about the Police perspective on the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on Children of Prisoners, and the procedures of police was held. The local good relationships between the Prison, Court, and Police were visible during this expert group meeting. Besides that, the group discussed the last tasks for this year and agreed on an update to the Table of Recommendations and Practices for 2022, as well as the addition of a Covid chapter in the Guidance Implementation Report. A prison visit of the Bács-Kiskun County Remand Prison took place including a juvenile, mother-child and a light regime quarter. All in all, it was a very fruitful and effective meeting in a small group with and very hospitable hosts.