Peterborough prisoners can read bedtime stories to children thanks to project

Norfolk PCC Lorne Green and Cambridgeshire PCC Ray Bisby have joined forces with HM Prisons Norwich and Peterborough to enhance the Storybook Dads/Mums service available to prisoners.

Storybook Dads/Mums enables parents in prison to record bedtime stories and messages for their children, helping to heal rifts and build relationships.

David Smart, acting director at HMP Peterborough, said: “Storybook Dads/Mums has proven to be invaluable since it began at HMP Peterborough, maintaining and strengthening the essential connection between parents and their children while they are separated.

“The disruption to social visits caused by the pandemic has made maintaining contact even more challenging over the past nine months, so for children of our residents to actually see their parent reading the story will be a very positive step towards rebuilding and reinforcing those family bonds.

“This investment will be beneficial to residents as well as their family members, helping to create a greater sense of still belonging to their emotional support network. This is an essential part of Sodexo’s work for providing quality of life services to those in our care.”

Mr Bisby said: “Reading a bedtime story to children is something many of us take for granted, however, for children with parents in prison this is an activity they miss out on. Given the current restrictions on visiting, together with the importance of the mental health of those in custody and their children, I am very pleased to contribute to this project.

“It may be a small amount of money but the impact on both prisoners and their children is priceless. Reducing re-offending is a key pillar of my Police and Crime Plan.”

A total of £1,050 will be split equally between Spurgeon’s Family Services at HMP Norwich and Sodexo which runs HMP Peterborough.