The fathers of young children from Northland and the Auckland area will soon be reading bedtime stories to their children despite the fact they are in prison.
Late last year, the Northern Region Corrections Facility introduced the innovative “Story Book Dads” programme that encourages and enables prisoners to write stories for their children.
For 10 weeks, six prisoners have beavered away writing and recording stories for Whangarei-based Aromoana Adventures to burn onto CDs. Accompanying the CDs are booklets the children can read as they listen to their fathers.
Five of the six prisoners who attended the first programme will graduate on Tuesday eager to attend a further course and continue writing. Four of the five have written extra short stories to include on their CDs.
NRCF Programmes Manager Stan Pilbrow says the reading and writing skills of the prisoners involved in the programme were not high,but it has been heartening for everyone involved to watch their enthusiasm.
“The prisoners know their children will benefit from hearing the stories and the children will enjoy knowing their fathers wanted to do something for them,” says Mr Pilbrow.
“Furthermore we believe the booklets will encourage the children to read. Some of the men have indicated to us they are now keen to improve their own reading skills. They are even coaching each other.”
Funded by Arts Access Aotearao, Story Book Dads is based on the British Story Book Mums and Story Book Dads programme for prisons.
Family members will join the course participants for the graduation. Among them will be some children the stories were written for.
ENDS
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk: