Fathers in Winchester Prison have been provided with recording facilities by Hampshire County Council. The Storybook Dads scheme allows prisoners to create their own bedtime story to share with their families using a microphone and minidisc recorder. The stories are downloaded on to a computer so sound effects and music can be added. Inmates can also include personal messages to their children as an introduction to the storytelling.
They are provided with books to read from and are invited to make up their own stories as well.
The scheme was piloted at HM Prison Winchester last summer, but proved especially popular with inmates in the run-up to Christmas. Storybook Dads was originally developed at HM Prison Dartmoor. Hampshire is the first local authority to purchase recording and editing equipment for the project.
The scheme is managed by librarian Sarah Millard, who leads recording sessions from within the prison. More than 50 families have taken part so far, with positive feedback. One participant, Lee Budd, is so pleased with the result of his recording of 101 Dalmatians that he is now recommending the scheme to other fathers on his wing.
John Waddington, Hampshire council's executive member for recreation, said, 'This scheme enables families to communicate with each other, helping to maintain relationships while fathers are in prison. It also helps dads to continue to play a role in encouraging their children to develop an interest in books from an early age.'
Storybook Dads has been praised by the charity Action for Prisoners'
Families. Assistant director Sarah Salmon said, 'Any scheme that helps maintain links between an imprisoned parent and their children is to be welcomed. It's good to see the local council as the impetus behind this project and we hope that other authorities will follow their lead.'