Alex's Dad Goes to Prison

The series is the initiative of Time-Matters UK, an organization that supports children and young people who have a parent or family member in prison, and before a parent goes to prison if it is likely they will do so, and after release, including via groups, peer support and mentoring. The book will be of interest to other professionals (and volunteers) working in this field.

Alex's Dad Goes to Prison helps parents explain a difficult situation to young children (ages 3-7). The first in the new Parent in Prison Series by experienced social work practitioners.Alex's Dad Goes to Prison is the first in the new Parent in Prison Series of books for children of imprisoned parents. It portrays the challenges they face and allows them to understand they are not alone. The book seeks to explain in simple terms why the parent was arrested and sent to prison. It describes what happens whilst the parent is in prison (such as visits and letters) and makes suggestions like starting a box in which to keep letters from and photos of the absent parent. The series aims to reduce stigma, feelings of isolation, and to show that children with a parent in prison can thrive. The series is pitched at younger readers and inspired by real life stories and events. Some 312,000 children have a parent in prison in the UK alone (2022) many of whom fall within the target age range (below) of this book. The figure is one in every 100 across Europe, millions of children worldwide, giving this vividly illustrated and attractively written work considerable potential.