Calls for Norfolk prisons to host their own parkruns

But while the grassroots phenomenon usually sees runners puffing across parks, beaches and other public spaces, a new parkrun event could soon be coming to a prison yard near you. 

During a meeting of Norfolk's health overview and scrutiny committee (HOSC), city councillor James Wright suggested the events could be used to help boost health and wellbeing in the region's three prisons.

His comments came during a debate around prison healthcare, which aims to provide inmates with equivalent access to health services to the general public.

Mr Wright said that, previously, HMP Wayland in Griston had hosted a 5km run for its inmates each week. However, this had fallen by the wayside during Covid restrictions and the officer who organised the runs had since left.

HMP Wayland previously hosted a parkrun for inmates (Image: Supplied)

He questioned whether this was something that could be revived by the NHS bosses responsible for prison healthcare.

Mr Wright, who is also a volunteer events ambassador for parkrun, said: "Is this something that could be considered as part of work that you commission to look at that additional aspect of prisoner mental health and wellbeing?"

Kate Morrissey, NHS England's regional head of health and justice in the East of England, said: "This would obviously be something that we would be willing to discuss with the prison partnership board and see if that was something they could pick back up again.

"Absolutely, we can see the benefits of that.

"However, we would not be able to arrange a parkrun in a prison off our own back.

"But it is definitely something we would be more than happy to have a discussion about."

Several prisons and custodial estates in the UK already host an official parkrun event, with the initiative hailed for its positive impact on inmates, staff and family members.