How does Storybook Dads/Mums work? Expand 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
Which prisons offer Storybook Dads/Mums? Expand 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. Get in touch
Who can take part? Expand 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.
How much does it cost? Expand 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.
Can poor or non-readers take part? Expand 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:
Can stories be read in another language? Expand 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.
Why don't all prisons offer stories on DVD? Expand 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.