Three prisons have become the first in the UK to host a weekly parkrun, with others expressing an interest in doing the same
A fitness phenomenon that has taken the world by storm has now arrived in prisons across the UK. Allowing inmates to take part could reduce reoffending and help people better reintegrate post-release, say organisers.
The series of free, 5km runs began with a group of friends in London’s Bushy Park in 2004 and now take place in 18 countries. Thousands of people gather in parks around the world every Saturday to take part in the runs, which usually have a strong community atmosphere and are organised by teams of volunteers.
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Last month, HMP Wayland in Norfolk became the third prison to host a parkrun. On 14 April, 37 people ran or walked the 5km and 10 prisoners volunteered.
In November, parkrun added a group of prisoners at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria to its runners list – the first jail in the world to hold the event within its grounds. The Category C prison, which currently houses 286 prisoners, came on board after its PE supervisor, Shane Spencer, suggested the idea to bosses. It has been named Black Combe parkrun after a large nearby hill.
