One of the paintings submitted as part of a competition focusing on the feelings of prisoners’ children.

Children of prisoners could be success stories and find a good strong career path in their life, according to the director of a prison support group.

Mark Vella, of Prison Fellowship, said it was important not to give up in life. “This is the most important lesson that needs to be learnt. I know of children of prisoners who have become teachers and auditors.”

People, especially guidance counsellors and teachers, should be encouraged to reach out to children who needed help.

“We are here to give a helping hand to everyone – all you have to do is reach out to us.”

Mr Vella was speaking at an exhibition at the Floriana’s examinations department that showcased drawings and paintings submitted as part of a competition focusing on the feelings of prisoners’ children.

The exhibition, which is open until Saturday, involved 270 children from five colleges, three Church schools and two independent schools. Students from Gozo, the Floriana Learning Support Centre and Sannat Special Unit also took part. The participants ranged from five to 17 years of age.

We are here to give a helping hand to everyone

The exhibition formed part of a national crime prevention campaign among students.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo referred to a local study that analysed the link between criminality and poverty and examined how many people went through Corradino Correctional Facility over a span of 50 years. Between 1964 and 2014, 6,000 people went to prison and, in one particular case, five generations of the same family found themselves behind bars.

“However, this is just one side of the story – the majority of children of prisoners did not go to prison because they found someone, be it a teacher or a family member, who loved them,” Mr Bartolo said.

He thanked all the students who took part in the competition and urged everyone to give people a chance – even if they needed to start over in society.