In England and Wales, the prison population stands at around 87,000. Recent Ministry of Justice estimates suggest 78% prisoners are parents, with around 200,000 children affected.
Children with an incarcerated father are at a higher risk of engaging in antisocial behaviour, delinquency, and becoming involved with the criminal justice system. Young men aged 18-25 constitute 13% of the prison population but face some of the most complex challenges, including histories of social exclusion, exposure to childhood violence, abuse, and time spent in foster care. The lack of positive parenting experiences and opportunities to develop fatherhood identities while incarcerated makes it difficult for them to reintegrate into their families and parent their own children. Additionally, young men from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic groups are disproportionately represented in the prison population and face further disadvantages due to discrimination and mistrust of statutory agencies.
Fathers Together Study
The Fathers Together study aims to co-produce a parenting programme to promote wellbeing for young fathers in prison and their families. It focuses on the experiences of Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic young men aged 18-25. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with collaboration between UCL, CNWL NHS Trust, City, University of London, Hertfordshire University and the Race Equality Foundation. It is led by Dr Anita Mehay (City) and Professor Richard Watt (UCL).
The studies objectives are to:
- Investigate the prevalence of fatherhood and early adverse and positive childhood experiences in a cohort of young adult men in prison.
- Explore the experience of imprisonment as related to maintaining family relationships.
- Examine the factors relating to implementation and sustainment of parenting programmes in the prison context.
- Co-develop and implement a parenting programme for a group of young fathers in prison and assess uptake, retention and acceptability.
The study consists of four research workstreams. Workstream 1 and 2 include interviews with nearly 500 young men in prison, family members, and staff working in prison, health and social care, or voluntary sectors. Workstream 3 and 4 include co-production and delivery of a parenting programme and experimental pre- and post- intervention testing.
The programme will be informed by the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) model, created by the Race Equality Foundation. This is a group-based parenting programme designed to promote protective factors which are associated with good parenting and better outcomes for children. They previously utilised this model in HMYOI Cookham Wood and HMP Maidstone. This project allows us to build on what was learnt and improve support for imprisoned parents and their families.
The Fathers Together study is underpinned by vital public involvement work. A group of 6-8 men with lived experience of being young fathers in prison meet monthly with researchers to advise on study plans and discuss progress. They are fundamental to the success of the study and highlight the importance of co-production in prison research.
Visit the Father’s Together Study website here.
