The human impact of parkruns in prisons

As more and more prisons across the world introduce weekly parkruns, stories are emerging of the enriching impact that events are having on hundreds of detainees.

parkrun recently celebrated two years operating in the custodial estate in England. Weekly events now take place at over 20 sites in England, two in Ireland and in nine correctional facilities in Australia.

Staff and prison residents – both runners and volunteers – have spoken of the motivation, sense of community and togetherness that the weekly Saturday morning events have given them.

As Michelle Glassup, Event Director at Feltham Young Offender Institute in West London, commented: “If success was measured in smiles, we’d smash it every week.”

parkrun Australia have recently published two blogs by residents inside Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison in Western Australia (the first female prison in the world to host a parkrun) and Tarrengower Prison in Victoria.

Both reveal the human impact that the shared experience of weekly exercise can bring – and are a stark example of the power of sport as a tool for rehabilitation in criminal justice.

To read about the experience of Steph in Tarrengower, click here.

To read about the experience of Kylie in Wandoo, click here.