Brit convicts set to record bedtime stories for their kids in their cells

London, Dec 20 (ANI): Prisoners at Saughton Prison in Edinburgh will soon be able to film themselves reading bedtime stories to send home to their kids.

The pilot scheme, called Storybook Dads, was launched as the ribbon was cut on a new refurbished library in the prison.

It will see inmate fathers being recorded and a DVD being sent home so that they can communicate and bond with their offspring. If successful the scheme could be rolled out across the country.

The refurbishment has also seen the library kitted out with modern equipment such as laptops as well as a larger range of books than ever before.

Prison Governor Nigel Ironside said that the recordings were designed to "increase that bond with their kids that ties in with our family strategy".

"We asked the inmates what they wanted and we worked with that. While some would criticise the modern equipment that they have, the reality is that these prisoners are part of the community and they will be going back out there," the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

"It is in everybody's interest for prisoners to reform and we strongly believe reading and a greater access to learning will allow them to do this," he added.

Ironside added that there were plans to become even more family friendly.

"At the moment only inmates can use the library facilities but we're looking at the possibility of allowing partners and children in the library," he said.

For the first time a trained librarian, Kate King, will work in the prison to ensure prisoners use the new the library effectively.

"The policy is an excellent step forward as it's not the children who should be serving the sentence. They should have the opportunity to spend time with their fathers - or, even better, learn together as a family," she said.

Prisoner Michael White, 25, who is serving a sentence for assault, praised the initiative. (ANI)