Should you tell a young child that their parent has gone to prison?

Prisoners' Wives is a 2012 BBC drama about women coping with the consequences of having their loved ones banged up behind bars. While this drama brings to light, and tackles, the many different issues women face, what happens to the children when they find a parent is no longer living at home? In 2005 I undertook a commission for the charity, Action for Prisoners' Families who asked me to write a picture book for young children, to help them come to terms with a parent being put in prison. Having researched this area, I found out that many young children are not informed of their parent's detention, and their disappearance is put down to 'a holiday', 'working away' or, in some cases, not explained at all.

So what should you do if a parent goes into prison? Even though you might feel your child is too young to understand the meaning of a parent going into prison, it is important not to keep them in the dark if they are asking questions. Tommy's Dad is a useful tool to help gently inform your child where their parent has gone, and also make other children aware of what it might be like for a child with a parent in this situation. The book examines the confusion and anger for a child who is not being told what is going on, to the fear and concern they might feel when they do find out, particularly if the information accidentally comes from another source. A common cause of concern for young children is that their other parent will also go to prison, and then who will look after them? This issue, amongst others are tackled, along with what it is like to visit your parent in prison, what will happen when you are there, the staff that you come into contact with and the meeting room where you will eventually see your parent.

Tommy's Dad is published by Action for Prisoners' Families, a charity that promotes the just treatment of families of prisoners' across the UK. This book, and many other useful publications, are available through their website, www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk, as well as Amazon.

The book is illustrated by Nick Sharratt, who is well-known for his illustrations of the highly popular Jacqueline Wilson books, including Tracy Beaker.