Fathers in jail allowed to play with their children and enjoy family meals as part of new scheme

25 November 2024, 11:51 | Updated: 25 November 2024, 15:43

Fathers locked up at two Scottish jails have been allowed to play with their children and enjoy family meals in what's believed to be a world-first fathering programme delivered in a prison.

The weekly sessions have been designed to improve relationships and promote healthy behaviours between the incarcerated fathers and their children, and include positive rough and tumble play, fitness activities, and games to boost movement skills.

At the end of each session, the inmates are also given the opportunity to sit and enjoy a meal with their children and partner, or family member, who accompanied the youngsters.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said it was the first time the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids (HDHK) programme, which was developed in Australia, had been run in a prison environment.

The eight-week programme was first delivered at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, followed by HMP Perth, and has so far involved 14 families with children aged five to 12.

One participant said: "I think it's been great to reconnect with my son in a way you probably cannot even put it into words."

Another prisoner highlighted how the chance to spend quality time together away from the confines of the visiting room was particularly impactful, saying: "Just the simple fact the family are sitting down having a meal with you, using a table. It's a completely different dynamic."

The programme has been developed by a research team from the universities of Glasgow and Stirling, alongside the University of Newcastle in New South Wales.

The SPS said HDHK in Prisons formed part of a two-year study which sought to address wider questions about ways to improve the health, wellbeing and family relationships of men while in prison and following their release.

The SPS pointed to studies that have shown that those in prison "are at a higher risk of increased mortality and poor health", and similarly children of imprisoned parents "have poorer health, education and offending outcomes compared to other children".

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Delivered by prison staff, the weekly workshops comprise a "fathers only" session which focuses on exploring the theory around topics such as "the importance of being a dad", "raising healthy kids", and "positive parenting".

SPS said the programme "uses enjoyable joint physical activity sessions and family meals to improve their health, wellbeing, and relationships; and ultimately break possible inter-generational cycles of disadvantage and reduce recidivism".

HDHK continues at HMP Barlinnie and will now be introduced at HMPs Low Moss, Shotts, Kilmarnock, and Dumfries in the coming months.

In a statement, the research team at the universities of Glasgow and Stirling, led by Professor Cindy Gray, Professor Kate Hunt and Dr Linda Brown, said: "Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids at HMP Barlinnie has been a great success in making a positive difference in the lives of the men, their children, and the family members involved.

"The programme has fostered closer bonds and warmer relationships between the men and their children, marking a meaningful step in strengthening family connections.

"Its success has been due to the exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication of the staff involved."

(c) Sky News 2024: Fathers in jail allowed to play with their children and enjoy family meals as part of new scheme