The bustling atmosphere in the large visitors’ area at Idrizovo Prison is suddenly broken by the clattering of locks, followed by the mournful sound of the heavy iron door leading to the space where families come together. It is a weekend day and visiting hours have just begun. Prison security officers seem in hurry to escort the inmates to their loved ones, who await their arrival with anticipation. Damjan*, eager and emotional, embraces his four-year-old daughter tightly, then shares an extended hug with his spouse. Without wasting much time, his daughter grabs his hand firmly, pulling him toward the newly opened children’s corner, supported by the European Union and Council of Europe. With shining eyes, the girl dashes to the playground. Sliding proudly under the loving gaze of Damjan and his wife she shouts: “Dad, dad! Look I can slide even without hands...”

“This is more than an ordinary space for us. This is where I feel like a normal parent, and see my child smiling and playing, rather than an incarcerated person deprived of liberty. Now I can spend some quality time with my family in an environment full of love,” Damjan shared with a hoarse voice, while his eyes always follow the joyful kid running in the prison adapted playground.

This is one of four children’s corners established in correctional facilities across North Macedonia, as part of the assistance by the joint European Union and Council of Europe action to strengthen prisoners’ rights and improve their living conditions. Idrizovo, the largest prison located near the capital Skopje, houses over 1,100 prisoners — about 50% of the total prison population that already exceeds its capacity. “We have about 8-10 kids visiting the prison every day, and during weekends this number rises up to 30, bringing the total to around 100 children each week who spend time in the children’s corner,” a staff member of Idrizovo Prison explained, stressing the usefulness and significance of this section in the visitors’ room. “Families react positively, and we are delighted by the benefits,” he underlined.

There are four children’s corners across 12 penitentiary facilities across North Macedonia, covering over two thirds of the prison population. It is estimated there are about few hundred kids whose parents are currently serving their sentence. “Ideally, we would like to see such corner in each facility, but the coverage is already good, and the feedback is excellent”, said Gjakush Kabashi, Council of Europe Senior Project Officer who oversees the implementation of this initiative. According to him, the children’s corners in Shtip Prison (opened in 2018), Prilep Prison (inaugurated in November 2021), Kumanovo Prison (functional from December 2023), and the one recently inaugurated in Idrizovo Prison, were all supported by the EU and the Council of Europe as part of the ongoing efforts to improve prison conditions, train staff, and align North Macedonia’s prison regulation with Council of Europe standards. “More concretely, these initiatives reflect the authorities’ commitment to implementing the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation (CM/REC-2018-5), addressing the needs of children with imprisoned parents,” emphasised Kabashi. 

Aleksandar Pandov, Head of the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, had earlier emphasised the importance of the children’s corners in the resocialisation process. “The real benefits of such donations are far greater than its financial value, especially in Idrizovo, since is the only prison where women serve their sentence” said Pandov in the opening ceremony in late 2025, highlighting the continuous and successful co-operation with the Council of Europe in enhancing the protection of prisoners’ human rights. Prison authorities have also largely contributed to this initiative – the children’s corner in Prilep was painted by a prison police officer, whereas the one in Kumanovo engaged art students. Recently, the management in Shtip prison replaced the toys, demonstrating their commitment for the much-needed sustainability. Other additional resocialisation initiatives include the provision of one oven in Kumanovo Prison (in 2023), used for vocational training and facilitating future employment prospects, as well as in Shtip Prison to meet the facility’s needs.

The children’s corners and supplementary rehabilitation programmes implemented in various prisons across North Macedonia mean more than mere amenities. They represent a fulfilled commitment to treating prisoners and their families with dignity and with hope for a hopeful future. As North Macedonia aims to improve and modernise its prison system and prioritise the well-being of children with incarcerated parents, the support and guidance from the European Union and the Council of Europe remain vital for lasting, positive change.

This initiative is implemented by the action “Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia” part of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”

_____________________________________________________________________________

* Name and other personal details changed to protect identity of the speaker.