2 July 2025 – Réau, France — On July 2, the South Francilien Penitentiary Center opened its gates to host the third Game with Mum & Dad event in France — a unique initiative that brings imprisoned parents and their children together for a day of play, connection, and family bonding on prison grounds.
The event was organised by the NGO Relais Enfants Parents (IdF) and it’s part of France’s growing engagement with the GWMD model, following successful events at other facilities — including Paris (18 June) and Fresnes (25 July). The event in Réau brought together 12 imprisoned mothers and fathers and 21 children, creating rare and meaningful moments of closeness in an environment where such opportunities are limited.
Organised by Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) and inspired by the model developed by COPE member Bambinisenzasbarre in Italy, Game with Mum & Dad is more than just a day of fun. It is a child-centered initiative designed to maintain and strengthen the child-parent bond, which is often strained by imprisonment. Supported by the European Commission, the UEFA Foundation for Children and adapted across several countries, the model affirms every child’s right to maintain a meaningful relationship with an imprisoned parent.
The Réau edition featured a rich programme, made possible by the collaboration of multiple partners:
- Football matches — the signature of GWMD, where children and their parents competed in friendly games. The final score? Everyone won!
- Autograph sessions, where parents signed mini European Cups for their children — a particularly significant moment following the Paris Saint-Germain’s recent victory of the Champions League.
- Clown walks and face-painting by the artist Cabotine.
- A shared lunch for parents and children, coordinated by the Penitentiary Integration and Probation Service (SPIP).
- A screening of five animated films, presented by the National Cinema Center (CNC).
- A drawing workshop, snack bar, and a cozy reading corner hosted by La Petite Bibliothèque Ronde, where families could read together in a relaxed setting.
The day stood as a testament to the importance of connection for children and imprisoned parents — a joyful disruption to prison life, and a hopeful reminder that behind the walls, parental love continues.
To read more about the two previous games hosted in France, check the news section of the GWMD website.
