The article addresses the relevant issue of restoring and developing parenting skills among convicted men who are preparing for release. It is substantiated that this problem requires a systemic solution, as serving a sentence is accompanied by prolonged social isolation, limited or disrupted contact with children, and the loss of parental roles. Attention is drawn to the fact that a significant proportion of convicted men had not been involved in child‑rearing prior to imprisonment or had performed parental functions only episodically. The empirical component of the study is analyzed, revealing the level of personal awareness among convicted men regarding their parental responsibilities, their needs for acquiring parenting skills, and their expectations concerning effective learning methods, particularly within the framework of group work. The feasibility of implementing the corrective program “I Am a Father, or Everything about Parenting” for convicted men, approved by Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (2024) is confirmed, as it provides a practical basis for addressing this issue. An analysis of the educational components of the program module “Responsible Fatherhood” is conducted, and it is substantiated that its content corresponds to the needs of convicted men during the pre‑release stage. It is determined that training sessions constitute the most effective form of group work in penitentiary institutions, as they facilitate active acquisition of practical skills. The study concludes that the formation of responsible fatherhood skills among convicted men is an important component of the practical model of pre‑release preparation, as it promotes the restoration of relationships with children and enhances readiness to perform parental functions after release. 

Key words: penitentiary institutions, convicted men, parenting practices, skill formation, “Responsible Fatherhood” training module, group-based work, training sessions.

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