Story-time with dad: Children of Story Book Dads prisoners no longer miss out.
The young children of five prisoners at Northern Region Corrections Facility (NRCF) will soon be able to listen to a bedtime story from their father, despite the fact that he is in prison.
Late last year, NRCF introduced the "Story Book Dads" programme that enables prisoners to write and record stories onto DVD for their children.
Retaining relationships with their families can help prisoners live a crime-free life when they return to their communities. NRCF Programmes Co-ordinator Deb Beazley says the programme aims to strengthen ties between prisoners and their children by improving both communication and literacy.
"It's hard for children to have a parent in prison. If they’re having a down moment or just want to hear their dad's voice, they can listen to one of these stories," she says.
For 10 weeks, the five prisoners on the programme practised reading aloud and recording the stories for Whangarei-based Aromoana Adventures to burn onto DVD. Three prisoners also wrote and recorded their own stories. For example, one prisoner wrote an adventure story about a taniwha, and one told a story about his own childhood, accompanied by pictures of his marae.
"I can’t be there in person, but my voice can be,"says one of the prisoners.
Booklets of the text will be sent with the DVDs so the children can read along as they listen to their fathers.
Deb says initially most of the prisoners were not confident about reading aloud.
"But now it' a piece of cake for them. It’s a good way to bring them close to their children. They know the kids will benefi t from hearing the stories," she says.
Funded by Arts Access Aotearoa, "Story Book Dads" is based on the British Story Book Mums and Story Book Dads programmes for prisoners.
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ISSN 1178-8453