New report highlights benefits of supporting young fathers in prison

A new study aims to shed light on the experiences of some of the most marginalised young fathers in the UK. Published by the University of Lincoln’s Following Young Fathers Further project in partnership with Pact, 'Care in the Prison Estate’ identifies the challenges facing young dads (aged 25 and under) separated from their children due to imprisonment and explores how inclusive support can benefit the entire family.

Following Young Fathers Further (FYFF) seeks to understand the experiences and support needs of young fathers and promote a more father-inclusive approach in the UK. Its latest report, conducted through interviews with 12 young fathers in prison and four support professionals, highlights the unique challenges faced by these vulnerable individuals.

Young fathers report experiences at odds with their identities as parents, including isolation, strained relationships with inmates and staff, infantilisation, stigma, and barriers to maintaining contact with their children and professionals supporting them. The study aims to inform and develop more inclusive support measures for young fathers in prison and makes several key recommendations:

• Nationally consistent provision of fatherhood programmes to demonstrate the transformative power of fatherhood for prisoner and family wellbeing.
• Bespoke support for young fathers around co-parenting relationships and their parental rights.
• Enhanced support for fathers engaging with co-parents and ‘baby mums’.
• Addressing fears about family safety by allowing greater privacy for young fathers to make calls to family.

Debbie Hornbuckle, Pact’s Head of Programmes and Learning, said, “This new report shows that supporting young dads in prison to embrace their identities as fathers offers significant opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration. 

"The research will feed into our existing programmes delivered in prisons and the community, including our Within My Reach and Time to Connect courses. We have also developed a suite of casework resources around pregnancy, child development and parental responsibility, which can be used to support young fathers in building relationships with their children and partners/co-parents.

"Positive family relationships play a vital role in reducing reoffending. By supporting young fathers to maintain contact with their children, where appropriate, we not only improve their and their children’s wellbeing, but we also help them to lead good, crime-free lives in the long run.”

Read the report: https://followingyoungfathersfurther.org/reports