Recruiting, Retaining and Engaging Men in Social Interventions: Lessons for Implementation Focusing on a Prison-based Parenting Intervention for Young Incarcerated Fathers

Abstract

Recruiting, retaining and engaging men in social interventions can be challenging. The focus of this paper is the successful implementation of a parenting programme for incarcerated fathers, delivered in a Young Offender Institution (YOI) in Scotland. Reasons for high levels of recruitment, retention and engagement are explored, with barriers identified. A qualitative design was employed using ethnographic approaches including participant observation of the programme, informal interactions, and formal interviews with programme participants, the facilitators and others involved in managing the programme. Framework analysis was conducted on the integrated data set. The prison as the setting for programme delivery was both an opportunity and a challenge. It enabled easy access to participants and required low levels of effort on their part to attend. The creation of a nurturing and safe environment within the prison classroom facilitated engagement: relationships between the facilitators and participants, and between the participants themselves were key to understanding high levels of retention and engagement. The most fundamental challenge to high engagement levels arose from clashes in embedded institutional ways of working, between the host institution and the organisation experienced in delivering such intervention work. This threatened to compromise trust between the participants and the facilitators. Whilst adding specifically to the very sparse literature on reaching incarcerated young fathers and engaging them in parenting work, the findings have transferability to other under-researched areas: the implementation of social interventions generally in the prison setting, and engaging marginalised fathers in parenting/family work in community settings. The paper highlights ways of overcoming some of the challenges faced.

Masculinities and health scoping review: a report prepared for VicHealth

“…The use of integrative opportunities and the importance of space was also illustrated in several studies with young men and adults in the criminal justice system. One study in particular examined young masculinities in prison in Scotland (Buston, 2018). This study used participant observation along with indepth interviews to evaluate an educational parenting program run with young men aged 18 to 21 in HMP YOI Polmont (Buston, 2018).…”

“…One study in particular examined young masculinities in prison in Scotland (Buston, 2018). This study used participant observation along with indepth interviews to evaluate an educational parenting program run with young men aged 18 to 21 in HMP YOI Polmont (Buston, 2018). The program provided information, skills, and reflectively based sessions, such as those on attachment and positive disciplining, to help young fathers in prison understand "the positive role they can play in their child's life" (Buston, 2018, p.282).…”

“…The program provided information, skills, and reflectively based sessions, such as those on attachment and positive disciplining, to help young fathers in prison understand "the positive role they can play in their child's life" (Buston, 2018, p.282). One key aspect of the program was the atmosphere, which was seen as relaxed and informal, with board games and informal discussions, while at the same time providing more formal components such as worksheets and class materials (Buston, 2018). While the parenting classroom was a place in which hyper-masculine presentations of the self were present and played out, it was also a place where boys were able to express their softer side.…”

Did We Forget Something? Fathering Supports and Programs in Prisons in Victoria, Australia

“…Evidence relating to EFP indicates programs range in length, and number of participants, and content differs between prisons (and does not always include face-toface contact between fathers and children) (Block et al, 2014). In the United Kingdom, research illustrates that content works when it is tailored to the needs of the group (Meek, 2007) and relationships and facilitator skills are thus crucial in the successful delivery of these programs (Buston, 2018). Research from U.K. and U.S. programs also reveal EFP help support father-child relationships as they improve attitudes about child rearing (Harrison, 1997;LaRosa & Rank, 2001); improve fathering skills and child care issues for young fathers (Meek, 2007); and are linked to decreased offending post-release (Burraston & Eddy, 2017).…”

“…While these obligations were recognised as relevant in the development of the Mothers and Children Program in a women's prison in Victoria, where children reside in a unit with their mother (Trotter et al, 2015), there does not seem to be any influence of these legislation on programs or supports for incarcerated fathers and their children. This study draws attention to this oversight by exploring the current state of formal supports offered to incarcerated primary carer fathers in Victoria. Research on formal fathering supports provides snapshots of data relating to the delivery and effectiveness of a variety of programs, services, and supports (Buston, 2018;LaRosa & Rank, 2001). Formal supports for incarcerated fathers range from those in which no face-to-face contact takes place, such as Storybook Dads in the United Kingdom (Storybook Dads, n.d.) and Read Along Dads in Australia, to more immersive programs with entire units dedicated to fathering (Clancy & Maguire, 2017).…”