Mental Health &
Learning Difficulties
Children raised
in prison

In El Salvador, the children of incarcerated mothers are entitled to live in prison with their mothers until they are five years old. As many of the women have experienced abuse or other violations of their rights, they are at risk of replicating this behaviour in their parental roles.
Fondation Dora supported Plan International to establish a programme aiming to teach mothers how to be more attentive to their child’s mental health development and form a loving and responsible relationship with them. This programme was developed in three phases:
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The first phase of the programme centred on the creation of an “Early Childhood Comprehensive Care and Development Guide” (CAIPI, in Spanish) for incarcerated mothers and pregnant women, as well as prison staff. The guide focuses on children's rights and early childhood development and aims to improve the development and well-being of children living in prison. Phase one was conducted in El Salvador’s Izalco Prison with promising results.
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Phase two of the project aims to embed the CAIPI guide and its practices in prisons where mothers are incarcerated. It also aims to better structure the departure process for children who have reached the age of five. The project helps smooth their transition to new homes outside the prison and works to ensure that their rights are protected.
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The third phase of the project aims to ensure that these young children reintegrate society in the best possible way after they leave the prison. A process called “Transition Route”, developed by psychologists from different institutions and officially recognised, helps these children adapt to a foster home or placement in a special institution.