Children of inmates at a Glasgow prison are participating in a world-first fathering programme.

The pioneering 'Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids' initiative at HMP Barlinnie, developed in Australia, is being trialled in a prison environment for the first time.

The programme allows children, who may have only seen their fathers in the confines of a visiting room, to play together in more natural settings and even share family meals.

The sessions aim to improve relationships, health, and behaviours in fathers and their children.

(Image: Scottish Prison Service) Developed by a research team from the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling and the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, ‘HDHK in Prisons’ forms part of a two-year study which seeks to address wider questions about ways to improve the health, wellbeing and family relationships of men while in prison and following their release.

The eight-week programme was first delivered in HMP Barlinnie, followed by HMP Perth, and has so far involved 14 families with children aged five to 12.

(Image: Scottish Prison Service) One participant said: "I thought it was great. It’s been great to reconnect with my son in a way you probably cannot even put it into words.

"I liked how it brought my attention to things like, when we talked about active listening and being present, and things that are outside that you don’t really mean to overlook, but things get in the way of life.

"I actually think we are having a chance to do it in here [in prison] as we don’t have more outside pressures on.”

Delivered by prison staff, the weekly sessions comprise a ‘fathers only’ session which focuses on exploring the theory around topics such as ‘The importance of being a dad’, ‘Raising healthy kids’ and ‘Positive parenting’.

The fathers are then joined by their children, for the ‘activity’ session which focuses on three areas of physical activity: positive rough and tumble play; fitness; and fundamental movement skills.

At the end of each session, the children and their fathers were able to sit and enjoy a meal as a family with their partner, or another family member, who had accompanied the children to the session.

Such is the success of the programme, over two days in August, HMP Barlinnie staff trained a further 23 colleagues from prisons around the country to allow them to facilitate the programme in more locations.

The research team at the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling, led by Prof Cindy Gray, Prof Kate Hunt, and Dr Linda Brown, said: "Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids at HMP Barlinnie has been a great success in making a positive difference in the lives of the men, their children, and the family members involved.

"The programme has fostered closer bonds and warmer relationships between the men and their children, marking a meaningful step in strengthening family connections.

"Its success has been due to the exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication of the staff involved.”