Prison fathers' bedtime stories

Scheme could be extended to Maghaberry Prison

Northern Ireland prisoners are to be offered the chance to read their children a bedtime story via tape recordings.

The scheme is being launched at Magilligan prison in County Londonderry on Monday.

It will be run by the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Western Education and Library Board and NIACRO - the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders.

The Big Book Share allows prisoners and their children to select a book together during a prison visit, which the prisoner then records on to an audio tape.

On the next visit, the child will be given a gift bag containing the audio tape and a copy of the book to keep.

Funding for first 200 books has already been provided and the titles cover a range of interests, including the Teletubbies, Harry Potter and stories for younger teenagers.

Many children don't understand why their father is not at home, they just know he's not there - under this scheme they will be able to listen to his voice at home Prison Service spokeswoman

It is hoped the Big Book Share will also improve adult and child literacy.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said the new scheme was an extension of the child visits programme, giving fathers and their children 90 minutes together on a visit over lunch without any other friends or family.

"We would hope to help build and maintain the bond between fathers and children while the father is not at home through the new scheme," she said.

"Many children don't understand why their father is not at home, they just know he's not there. Under this scheme they will be able to listen to his voice at home."

The Prison Service said that if the scheme proved successful, it could be extended to Maghaberry prison in County Antrim.