First in Scotland for HMP Dumfries recognised at Holyrood

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HMP Dumfries has become the first prison in Scotland to receive official recognition from parkrun UK.

The prison now offers an official 5k parkrun to prisoners, staff and members of the community.

Deputy governor at the Dumfriesshire prison, Jim Smith, said the parkrun recognition “creates an invaluable opportunity for participants to focus on a goal by taking part in regular physical activity or by supporting others through volunteering at the run, which happens every Saturday, as marshals and in other important roles”.

South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper has congratulated the prison and said its parkrun offering is “testament to the ethos at HMP Dumfries that prison should be about rehabilitation in preparation for prisoners reintroduction to our communities”.

Ms Harper also lodged a motion to the Scottish Parliament recognised all at HMP Dumfries on receiving official recognition from parkrun UK.

She said: “This highlights a good news story from within the justice system locally. So often, we hear negativity in the press about prisons and our justice system, but there is so much good work taking place.

“I know from engagement with, and my previous visits to HMP Dumfries, that the team are absolutely dedicated to supporting those in their care.

“Ultimately, those within custody will be our neighbours and members of our community, so supporting their rehabilitation is of paramount importance. The parkrun UK recognition allows staff, prisoners and members of the community in Dumfries to work together to achieve an aim.”

She added: “We all know how vital sport for physical activity is for health and wellbeing – helping to relieve stress, anxiety as well as keeping good physical health. HMP Dumfries is the first Scottish prison to receive this recognition and it is great to see.

“I wish everyone at HMP Dumfries every success for the future and I look forward to continuing to see their trailblazing work.”

Ms Harper, who has previously visited the prison on a number of occasions, has also highlighted that HMP Dumfries has a wide array of purposeful activities, access to counselling, addiction and specialist services, as well the fantastic wellbeing garden and woodwork classes, to support the prison population.

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