Prisoners read bedtime stories to children from their jail cells

BIRMINGHAM inmates are being allowed to read bedtime stories for their children – from their prison cells.

Prisoners at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green, record the night-time tales to be played to their kids back home.

It is thought the process could help the justice system’s bid to prevent them ending up back inside.

The Storybook Dads initiative stops prisoners feeling isolated from their families, prison bosses say.

One mum explained: “When the kids ask for their daddy I can put on a disc and they can see and hear him. They couldn’t do that before, and there were loads of tears and tantrums.”

The project has been highlighted as part of psychologist Simon Shepherd’s research into the good work being conducted in prisons. The 53-year-old director of prison charity, the Butler Trust, travelled more than 17,000 miles, interviewing more than 2,000 prisoners and staff in 102 prisons.

“This is an initiative where prisoners read stories and send them to their children,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges for prisoners is separating them from their children. We don’t want kids to grow up without parents.

“If they can maintain this relationship and can go back to the family home upon release, it helps reduce re-offending. They are more likely to re-offend if they are socially isolated.”

Organisers of the bedtime stories scheme say: “We use software to remove mistakes and background noises, then add music and sound effects to enhance the stories. Most of the work is done by specially chosen prisoners who we train to become ‘editors’.

“The CD or DVD is then sent to the child. This brings comfort to them as they can hear, or see, their parent whenever they need to.

“It shows them they are loved and missed, as well as helping them to develop an interest in books and reading.

“This increases their chances of succeeding at school and significantly improving their social and learning outcomes.”