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  1. Family area
  2. FAQs

FAQs

How does Storybook Dads/Mums work?

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Your imprisoned parent/loved one applies to record a story. Once they've received an appointment, they will choose a book and will be recorded reading a story using Audio or Video (not all prisons offer a video option).

The recording is downloaded onto a computer and sent to the Storybook Dads HQ and Editing Suite, where any mistakes are taken out and music and sound effects are added. When we edit a video story, pages from the books are scanned in and added so the finished story is a combination of the parent/loved one reading and the pages from the book (a bit like a Cbeebies bedtime story!)

The final edited story is then burnt onto a CD/DVD and posted home to the family.

What we do           Why we do it          The difference we make

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 30th May, 2023

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Which prisons offer Storybook Dads/Mums?

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Storybook Dads works in approximately 100 UK prisons, including women's prisons (as Storybook Mums) and young offender institutes. We also work in a small number of Secure Training Centres and Secure Hospitals.

If you'd like to know if we operate in a particular prison, please get in touch. We can also let you know how your loved-one can apply to take part.

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Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 30th May, 2023

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Who can take part?

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Our scheme is open to anyone in prison regardless of their crime or IEP status. The only rule is that the applicant has approved contact with the child they want to do the story for. Once they apply, this will be checked and approved/rejected by the Offender Management Unit in each prison.

Is it just for Dads/Mums?

No, anyone in prison can apply to take part for a child relative Although the scheme is primarily for parents, most prisons allow other family members to participate including grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles.

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2022

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How much does it cost?

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In most prisons it is completely free. However, a small number of prisons may charge a small fee towards the cost of posting the disc. Participants can also choose to make a donation to Storybook Dads from their prison spends.

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2022

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Can poor or non-readers take part?

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There’s no need for non-readers or nervous readers to worry. The co-ordinators of the scheme are very sympathetic and will give any help that is required; from choosing the book to assisting with the reading. Our software enables us to edit the story so it sounds smooth and fluent. The audio clip below demonstrates how non-readers can take part:

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2022

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Can stories be read in another language?

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Due to prison security restrictions it’s not always possible to accept stories in any language other than English or Welsh. However, if there is a staff member at the prison who can speak the language and check the recording for content, then it should be fine.

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2022

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Why don't all prisons offer stories on DVD?

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Out of our member prisons, 37 prisons currently offer stories on DVD. We would love for all prisons to be able to offer DVDs so that Dad/Mum can be seen as well as heard, but this decision is made by security in each individual prison. 

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2022

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  • What we offer

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    We work in approximately 100 UK prisons, including women’s prisons, young offender institutes and secure hospitals.

  • Our 2022 Annual Review

    Our 2022 Annual Review

    Read all about the impact of our work in our latest Annual Review

  • Annual Review 2022

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  • Our story

    Our story

    Storybook Dads is a multi-award winning charity, well-known and respected in the prison estate...but back in 2002 it was a very different story! Click here to find out more about our humble beginnings.

  • Where we work

    Where we work

    We work in approximately 100 UK prisons, including women’s prisons, young offender institutes and secure hospitals.

  • Story CDs and DVDs

    Story CDs and DVDs

    Every year we help over 5,000 prisoners to record bedtime stories for their children. By sending a story disc to their children, parents can bring comfort to their children and share the joy of storytelling from behind bars. Our friendly team are there to help less confident readers and the editing process means that even non-readers can take part.

  • Storybook Dads Main Appeal

    Storybook Dads Main Appeal

    Storybook Dads relies entirely upon charitable contributions. We don’t receive any statutory funding or funding from HM Prison Service. Every donation really does help us to continue offering our service.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Click the title above to watch a short film about what we do and the impact of our work

  • Training/Work Experience

    Training/Work Experience

    Recordings from prisons all over the UK are sent to our headquarters and main production centre at HMP Dartmoor in Devon. Our eight prisoner editors are trained to use industry standard audio / video software to make the stories into extra special gifts for the children.

  • Sharon's Story

    Sharon's Story

  • Support

    Support

  • CSJ Award 2022

    CSJ Award 2022

    We are very proud to announce that we are have won a 2022 Centre for Social Justice Award!

  • Send your Family Film to us

    Send your Family Film to us

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Storybook Dads
HMP Dartmoor
Princetown
Devon
PL20 6RR

0300 365 3237
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Storybook Dads is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity Registration No. 1101208