Scottish prisons lead the way with fathers’ programme

CHILDREN of dads in custody at HMP Barlinnie have taken part in a world first fathering programme aimed at delivering brighter futures for all.

It is the first time the pioneering ‘Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids’ programme, which was developed in Australia, has been run in a prison environment.

And it means children who until now may have only ever seen their fathers in the confines of a visit room, are getting to play together in more natural environments, and even sit down for dinner as a family.

The sessions are designed to improve relationships, health, and health behaviours in fathers and their children.

Developed by a research team from the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling and the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, ‘HDHK in Prisons’ forms part of a two-year study which seeks to address wider questions about ways to improve the health, wellbeing and family relationships of men while in prison and following their release. 

Studies have shown that people 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.

The programme is designed to facilitate children’s contact with their fathers and 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.

The eight-week programme was first delivered in HMP Barlinnie, followed by HMP Perth, and has so far involved 14 families with children aged 5 to 12.

Delivered by prison staff, the weekly sessions 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’. 

The fathers are then joined by their children, for the ‘activity’ session which focusses on three areas of physical activity: positive rough and tumble play; fitness; and fundamental movement skills (e.g., throwing, catching, bouncing and kicking).

One participant said: “I thought it was great. I think it’s been great to reconnect with my son in a way you probably cannot even put it into words… I liked how it brought my attention to things like, when we talked about active listening and being present, and things that are outside that you don’t really mean to overlook, but things get in the way of life. I actually think we are having a chance to do it in here [in prison] as we don’t have more outside pressures on.”

At the end of each session, the children and their fathers were able to sit and enjoy a meal as a family with their partner, or another family member, who had accompanied the children to the session.

This chance to spend quality time together away from the confines of the visit room was particularly impactful with one participant saying: “Just the simple fact the family are sitting down having a meal with you, using a table.  It’s a completely different dynamic”.

Such is the success of the programme, over two days in August, HMP Barlinnie staff trained a further 23 colleagues from prisons around the country to allow them to facilitate the programme in more locations.

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

Reflecting on their own observations, the research team at the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling, led by Prof Cindy Gray, Prof 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.”