Children's Day in Světlá: When Mom can be just Mom for a while

Světlá nad Sázavou, 31 May 2025 - In the pleasant surroundings of the Kadlečák guesthouse, an exceptional Children's Day for children of convicted mothers from the women's prison in Světlá nad Sázavou took place.

The main aim was to give the children the opportunity to spend a day with their mother outside the prison walls, in a stimulating and supportive environment and to strengthen their relationship with each other in the context of fulfilling their parental role even during their imprisonment. The event took place in cooperation with the professional staff of Světlá nad Sázavou Prison and with the participation of the prison director herself, whose support was crucial for the sensitively guided and meaningful course of the whole day. For the convicted women themselves, such a day represents a significant motivation for positive changes and personal development.

A day full of games, fun, and experiences

The children went on a thematic journey “To the animals from the zoo”, where they collected stamps for the game card for the completed tasks at the individual stations. The reward was a diploma and a backpack full of surprises, which was personally handed over to them by Karel Dvořák, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Czech Republic, who also supported the event with his personal participation as a volunteer.

A pleasant diversion was the animals present - children could ride horses, paint them, pet them or learn interesting facts about the Pavlov Animal Rescue Station. A bouncy castle, face painting, workshops and a photo booth added to the atmosphere.

The Kadlečák guesthouse offered facilities, a peaceful environment and refreshments, which created a relaxed and welcoming space to meet outside the formal prison environment. Thirteen mothers and their children attended - some came from further afield accompanied by grandparents, foster carers or children's home staff.

How are the children of those who make mistakes

Children of convicted parents often face stigma, prejudice and carried-over punishment. As interview accounts show, 100% of the children in the cases interviewed experience bullying because of their parent's punishment - for something they did not do and a story they did not choose.

"My children are being judged for what I did. People look at them like they did it too, that's where I see my punishment the most," said one of the convicted women.

And the mother of another convict added: "It's as if only those who sit out don't get the punishment. But also us who stay out. We have never found the words to explain it to people, that even for us as parents of our daughter who is serving her sentence, the situation is challenging and something completely new. I really want to get through this period, if only for the sake of my grandchildren."

Children don't choose their family stories - but they deserve to grow up without the shadow of judgment. Children's days organized by VOLONTÉ CZECH give these children a voice, a space for joy, and above all, the opportunity to establish and maintain a relationship with a parent when it is in the child's best interest.

For children who need a relationship with a parent for their security, stability and healthy development, such days are an extremely important moment. They also provide an opportunity for parents who want to give back to their children what they have taken from them, to make amends and to find their place in their lives again.

The event took place in cooperation with the prison management and VOLONTÉ CZECH within the VOL Rodinu project (reg. no. CZ.03.02.02/00/22_017/0000254), which is financed by the European Social Fund through the Operational Programme Employment Plus.