The Study
A co-production approach to developing a parenting programme
There are around 88,000 people in prison in England and Wales—most are men, and many are fathers. Parental imprisonment can have far-reaching consequences for families—disrupting relationships, weakening community ties, and increasing involvement with social care services. These effects are especially profound for children, who may face emotional and behavioural challenges, long-term health issues, and fractured attachment relationships.
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Among those in prison, young men aged 18–25 often carry a wide range of life experiences, including managing mental health needs, navigating school exclusion, and overcoming early exposure to violence, abuse, or time in care. Young people from Black, Asian, and other racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds are significantly overrepresented in the prison population, and often face additional challenges related to racism, discrimination, and low trust in statutory services. Yet, despite facing systemic barriers, young fathers in prison are often overlooked—when instead, there is a need to strengthen their connections to family and communities to support wider family and community wellbeing.
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The Fathers Together study ran from April 2022 to June 2025 with the aim of assessing the parenting and family-related needs of an ethnically diverse group of young fathers in prison. Our goal was to co-develop a parenting programme rooted in real-life experiences and cultural relevance, based on the Race Equality Foundation’s Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities programme, which has demonstrated positive outcomes in non-prison settings.
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Aims & Methods
A core element of the study is coproduction. We partnered closely with the Race Equality Foundation and individuals with lived experience of fatherhood in prison to ensure the research was inclusive, community-led, and grounded in the realities of those most directly affected.
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The study was structured around four workstreams. We collaborated with five prisons to carry out a large-scale empirical phase, which included:
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Structured interviews with nearly 500 young adults in prison
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In-depth interviews with around 50 young fathers, staff, and family members
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Workshops to share findings and co-design a tailored parenting programme
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Programme delivery to test feasibility and acceptability within the prison context
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These insights informed the adaptation and delivery of a new parenting programme focused on identity and fatherhood during imprisonment—filling a vital gap in tailored support for racially minoritised fathers.​
We are now planning a feasibility study to inform a scalable delivery model and future evaluation. Through ongoing engagement with our lived experience group and knowledge-sharing events, we are committed to shaping future services that strengthen families, reduce reoffending, and interrupt cycles of intergenerational harm—by building on the insight, resilience, and care already present within these communities.
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The Fathers Together study has received UCL university ethics approval and HMPPS NRC approval.
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