Family literacy in prisons: fathers’ engagement with their young children
A new paper, published today, shows how the ORIM Framework has been used in a recent initiative to develop family literacy work with imprisoned parents. Collaboration with Pact [Prison advice and Care Trust] and colleagues at the University of Sheffield has led to the FLiP programme, which supports imprisoned fathers to engage with their children around their literacy. FLiP is a unique UK initiative to support fathers’ learning about their children’s early literacy development. Given recent reports (Coates 2016; Farmer 2017; HMIP 2016), the consequences of this study for focusing on imprisoned fathers’ knowledge of and involvement in their children’s literacy development will require investment in resourcing prisons and prison charities to deliver appropriate programmes, and a clearer and resources focus on the learning of young children affected by parental imprisonment and in sustaining family relationships so as to assist in the growth of desistance.
The Abstract reads:
“This paper reports an original approach to family literacy in two UK men’s prisons. Brief consideration of family literacy research precedes consideration of specific issues of imprisonment and literacy, and recent initiatives for incarcerated fathers. The significance of the study lies in the demonstration that theories of early literacy development can successfully be shared with imprisoned fathers, and related practices incorporated into the literacy-oriented family visits. A rigorous interpretivist approach highlights the importance of prisoners learning about children’s early literacy development. Although the opportunity to see their children provides a strong motivation to enrol on the programme, the paper argues that the men’s manifest engagement with the ideas and activities in the workshops and the literacy-oriented family visits indicate successful programme adaptation: primary success lies in influencing fathers’ concern to support their children whilst incarcerated, though impact on their resolve to desist from crime and re-establish their fathering roles is also notable. Implications for policy and practices to enhance incarcerated parents’ involvement with their children’s developing literacy are discussed.”
You can read the full paper here
You can read about one father’s involvement here
References
Coates, S. 2016. Unlocking Potential: A Review of Education in Prison. London: Ministry of Justice
Farmer, M. 2017. The Importance of Strengthening Prisoners’ Family Ties to Prevent Reoffending and Reduce Intergenerational Crime. London: Ministry of Justice.
HMIP (HM Inspectorate of Prisons). 2016. Life in Prison: Contact with Families and Friends. London: HMIP.
Cathy Nutbrown
The University of Sheffield
