Belgium: a parent in prison

Maurice Jansen. There’s a difference between group visits and individual, or supervised, visits. Group visits involve several imprisoned parents and REP staff. Supervised visits bring together a parent, their child, and an REP member who keeps a close watch during the encounter; these visits could involve a gradual renewal of contact between the parent and child—either following a judicial mandate, the identification of “problematic” speech/actions during a previous visit, or a long period of separation.

Group visits take place twice a month on Wednesday afternoons, since schools are not in session on that day. The child is brought to the prison by the grandparents, the other parent or by foster care workers. If none of these options is available, the Red Cross homeless network and its volunteers step in. One or two psychologists are present at the prison entrance or transfer area, and the usual checks and security steps are carried out (verification of minor status, family relationship with the incarcerated person, etc.). The children enter the visiting room first, chaperoned by REP staff.

The visiting room is at REP’s disposal and they can arrange it as they see fit. Normally, the child is allowed physical contact only at the beginning and end of the visit, but—as agreed with the correctional facility—tables are pushed back, floor mats are installed, and bicycles and toys can be brought in. The REP has developed the “tri-lieu” as a place of calm, fostering a family atmosphere that is nonreminiscent of a prison milieu.

Once the children have entered, the fathers (95% of prisoners are male) begin to arrive and interact with them by talking, playing, etc. These visits last between 1 hour and 90 minutes.

The parents are the first to leave after the session, and the children are regrouped by their association chaperones. The exit process is relatively simple, with no additional safety protocol, and the children are picked up for departure.

MJ. I have my own definition of what “normal” is, so I would say no, it’s not possible—for many reasons related to the prison service. We’d have to define “normalcy” in family relationships. For example, submitting to prison authorities during group visits, parents being deprived of their cultural identity (due to uniforms, which are still required in some facilities), having a supervisor in the visiting room… all of this has an impact on the behaviour of children and parents.

The prison environment and its inherent rules don’t allow for normal relationships. On the other hand, it is possible to allow family ties to be maintained.

“Normal” relationships mean going out for ice cream, spending time together, taking time to do things, and doing them when you want to. A child who attends group visits comes on Wednesdays, not when they feel like it. And it’s exhausting for them. It’s emotionally exhausting. The child sees their parent for one hour every two weeks, surrounded by other people. So it’s hard to talk about normality.

Nonetheless, holiday visits are maintained: New Year’s Eve, Easter, the first day of school—but not Christmas, due to a lack of prison staff. These are occasions when the other parent is present as well. Families can take photos, which provide a tangible, lasting memory. So they’re allowed to create some special family moments, but again: this isn’t their home, this isn’t an environment where the child feels safe.

Still, the importance of these celebrations can’t be ignored, especially for the sense of time they provide. Children have a very particular perception of time, which requires structure, and “party visits” embody a powerful symbol of family gatherings. This notion of a timeframe is crucial to bringing some normalcy to the parent-child relationship.

MJ. There are far fewer women in prison than men. When the mother is jailed, the children are often placed in foster care, in a nursery, or with grandparents. An incarcerated mother’s situation is often more complex for children, because the social role that she plays in their lives is even more important than that of the father. When a mother is deprived of this role, she tends to experience more emotional pain and frustration than a father might. This is just a broad tendency of course, and it’s difficult to generalise.

A woman may be incarcerated with her child if the child is under three years old, unless she has forfeited her rights. This is very rare though: in French-speaking Belgium, only eight women are in this situation.

It’s easier for our association to get involved in women’s prisons—there are fewer tensions, premises are better adapted, etc. Follow-up for assistance to the accused and “link services” are easier to set up as well. We also collaborate with the Birth and Early Childhood Office (Office de la naissance et de l’enfance, or ONE) which has special support structures for incarcerated mothers. At Berkendael, the REP is able to meet with all imprisoned mothers. This is absolutely not the case at other facilities, where it’s up to individual prisoners to establish contact with us.

Within our association, and specifically regarding the role of mothers, we organise discussion groups where they can share their concerns, their desires, and their condition as mothers and prisoners. Our efforts are very well received and welcomed in women’s establishments. We facilitate many processes ranging from transportation to supplying toys, and we accommodate specific requests like conducting music and storytelling workshops.