(In)visible. Children of incarcerated individuals: Expert presentations, best practice workshops, and personal accounts from people with life experience.

I am permitted to participate in the platform for criminal law ethics. to participate in the online conference “(In)visible. Children of Inmates” on November 20th, as well as in the film “Imprisoned Along” & discussion at the Breitenseer Lichtspiele cinema on November 19th, and hereby also The events are organized by an expanded network of partners including the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Menschen & Rechte (People & Rights), MitGefangen eV (Association for the Rights of Prisoners), the Protestant Prison Chaplaincy Austria, the Center for Family Law, and the ASH Forum of Civil Society.

When discussions revolve around crime, conviction, and incarceration, the focus is usually on the offender. Less visible are the victims and those around the convicted person—especially the children. The incarceration of a parent can profoundly impact family life—affecting relationships, daily routines, financial security, and the children's emotional well-being. In Germany alone, an estimated 100,000 children are affected by the incarceration of a parent. Yet, their perspectives remain underrepresented in research, practice, and public discourse. This conference for the German-speaking world puts these children at the forefront. The focus is on their circumstances, challenges, coping strategies, and support needs. Together with experts from academia and practice, as well as individuals with lived experience, the conference will explore opportunities and necessities for better understanding, protection, and support for children of incarcerated parents.

Expert input from, among others, Selin Arikoglu , Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Germany ; Sven Steffes Hollaender , Medical Director, Heiligenfeld Clinics, Germany; Jochen Goerdeler , Federal Ministry of Justice, Germany; Matthias Geist , Evangelical Church AB / Prison Chaplaincy Vienna, Austria; Daniela Hirt , Restorative Justice Practitioner and Trainer, Germany; Ivana Mehr , Extramural Association, Switzerland; Katrin Schaefer , MitGefangen eV Association, Dresden; Annelyn Smit , Not My Crime, Netherlands

When: Fri, 20 November 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, online pre-conference : Film “Mitgefangen” and discussion, Thu, 19 November 2026, 7:00 PM online or Breitenseer Lichtspiele, Vienna

Further information and registration can be found at https://www.ash-forum.at/site/veranstaltungen/eventman.event/240.html .