Every Saturday morning, hundreds of people who live and work in prisons, young offender institutions, and remand centres are walking, jogging, running and volunteering as part of the global parkrun family. Four years on from the launch of the very first parkrun in a correctional setting — Black Combe parkrun at Haverigg Prison in the…
In April 2019, Mobilong Prison in South Australia became the second prison in Australia to introduce parkrun. After a 15-month pause, the event recently returned to further strengthen the sense of belonging with the prison community. It accommodates up to 470 male medium and low-security prisoners who, as well as being engaged with services…
Event Ambassador Bronwyn Bell supported Melaleuca Women’s Prison in Western Australia to introduce parkrun to their facility. Bronwyn explains the considerations that remand centres must work through during the development of parkrun and recounts her experience of their launch event. Melaleuca parkrun launch Attending a parkrun launch is surreal when much of the parkrun…
I have been in prison for many years now. I had never heard of parkrun until our Recreation Officer showed us a TV clip about the first women’s prison in the world to host a parkrun (in Western Australia). I saw women happily walking and talking on an oval. They looked normal and almost free….
In a world first for a remand centre, 47 officers and prisoners at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre (BWCC) took part in the inaugural Wacol parkrun today. BWCC has become the 33rd correctional site in the world to host a parkrun, the ninth in Australia and the first in Queensland. Queensland Corrective Services Deputy Commissioner…
In July 2019, Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison in Western Australia became the first female prison in the world to host a parkrun. In another world first, Wandoo developed a pioneering initiative to encourage the women in their care and their friends and family to participate in parkrun. In a 12-week period, if a Wandoo…
Across the world on a Saturday morning, residents in prisons, young offender institutions, and correctional facilities are walking, jogging, running and volunteering in a groundbreaking initiative that is changing the lives of prisoners and staff alike. Two years on from the first event, we take a look at the phenomenal success of parkruns on…
Tarrengower Prison in central Victoria has become just the third women’s correctional facility in the world to introduce parkrun. Tarrengower is the only minimum security female prison in the state and focusses on preparing women for their release. It provides a maximum of 72 residents with programs and employment opportunities, allowing them to build…
“Welcome to Hopkins parkrun, I don’t think anyone really wants to be doing a parkrun in here but let’s make the best of it.” And that is how the third Aussie prison-based parkrun was launched. No press releases and no fanfare, just a committed team with the full intention of getting it right. …
Inmates at the Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison in Perth will become the first women in custody anywhere in the world to take part in weekly parkrun events when Wandoo parkrun launches this Saturday 20th July. Wandoo became Western Australia’s first dedicated alcohol and drug rehabilitation prison for women in custody when it opened in August 2018. The…
