We Opened Another Dialogue in Světlá nad Sázavou on Supporting Children and Families Affected by Imprisonment

On 23 October 2025, an expert workshop was held at Světlá nad Sázavou Prison, bringing together representatives of prisons, child protection authorities (OSPOD), children’s homes and other professionals at one table. Together, we shared experience and identified what is most lacking in the system of support for children whose parents are serving a prison sentence. 

The meeting showed clearly that connecting practice across institutions makes sense. The exchange of experience and open discussion help us better understand the needs of children and their caring adults and find ways to work together more effectively. 

Particularly valuable for us was participants’ feedback. As Tereza Vodičková, Chair of the Association of Civics and Social Sciences Teachers, wrote:

“Thank you very much for inviting me to the workshop; it really helped me get my bearings on what and how. If there’s a chance to attend more of your events, I’ll be very happy. It brings ideas about what can be done. For a long time I’ve wanted to cover the topic of substitute family care within family law. I’d like to write to a children’s home director I sat next to at the event and record an interview with her. Then record someone from the OSPOD as well.”

We will follow up on the workshop systematically within the project VOL Bez neviditelných obětí. Thanks to the project, we are building a platform where representatives of prisons, OSPOD, children’s homes and other organisations can meet regularly—share practice, formulate common suggestions and translate them into concrete steps. 

We thank all participants for their active engagement and open discussion. Special thanks go to Mgr. Monika Myšičková, the Prison Director, for providing facilities and for enabling us to get acquainted with the premises of Světlá nad Sázavou Prison. 

The project “VOL Bez neviditelných obětí” (reg. no. CZ.03.02.02/00/24_066/0004673) is supported under the Employment+ Operational Programme and co-funded by the European Social Fund+.