{"id":5868,"date":"2026-04-09T09:45:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coachmentoring.co.uk\/articles\/?p=5868"},"modified":"2026-04-09T15:03:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T14:03:57","slug":"mentoring-prison-leavers-its-successes-and-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coachmentoring.co.uk\/articles\/2026\/04\/mentoring-prison-leavers-its-successes-and-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Mentoring Prison Leavers \u2014\u00a0its successes and challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mentoring<\/p>\n

Recent\u00a0research has shown that mentoring is an effective tool to combat reoffending and support those leaving prison (Hean & S\u00e6bj\u00f8rnsen, 2023), (Lowther-Payne et al.,\u00a02024). In London, organisations such as\u00a0Spark Inside<\/a>, Switchback<\/a>, and Standout<\/a>\u00a0are all using mentoring<\/a> or coaching<\/a> to help prison leavers turn around their lives.<\/p>\n

Mentoring is effective at supporting prison leavers<\/h2>\n

While the national average of reoffending following short sentences in 2024 is around 66% (Ministry of Justice, 2026), the rate is only 24% for the mentoring organisation where I volunteer (Change for Good, 2024).<\/p>\n

So mentoring works, but such work requires carefulness and sound work practices.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The challenges when someone leaves prison<\/h3>\n

People leaving prison, face a number of serious challenges. The fact that they were given a custodial sentence might well mean a prisoner will lose their job, their home, and possibly contact with their family. Certainly, this is the case after a long prison sentence, but statistics show a short sentence can be equally devastating (Eaton & Mews, 2019). Practical issues around housing, benefits, drug use, and emotional support are all key factors in a prison leaver returning to prison.<\/p>\n

After eight years of working with men in prison and, in retirement, a further two years of mentoring prison leavers in the community, three key issues stand out as important in such work:\u00a0security<\/strong>, boundaries<\/strong>, and accountability\/support<\/strong>, especially when it is considered that this mentoring work is conducted by trained volunteers.<\/p>\n

Security during the mentoring meeting<\/h2>\n

\"MentoringMentoring would usually take place in a public place such as a caf\u00e9 or park bench rather than in a private room. But this creates issues around confidentiality.<\/p>\n

I once was with a mentee who was saying quite loudly how his violence in prison had jeopardised his parole. Parents started to escort their children rather quickly from the room.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The limits around confidentiality need to be carefully discussed with the mentee when contracting. A mentee might decide he would like support to visit their probation officer or an AA meeting, for example. In such a case, the mentor would do well to risk-assess how that visit will happen and where it will physically take both mentor and mentee.<\/p>\n

Boundaries when mentoring prison leavers<\/h2>\n

Nobody working with prisoners or prison leavers will share their address or social media with a mentee \u2014 it just isn\u2019t done. Mentors will never meet at a mentee\u2019s home or make contact outside of agreed meeting times. Some organisations give their mentor a mobile phone, which the mentee will know, will be available for calls 24 hours before and after a mentoring session. For someone leaving prison, a mentor can seem every bit like a friend who is dependable and trustworthy.<\/p>\n

The mentee may want to blur the boundaries between the mentoring and friendship,\u00a0and it is so easy for a mentor to collude with this.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, mentoring a prison leaver is usually time-bound\u00a0to once a week for six months to avoid dependency. A manager will check in\u00a0with the mentor at three weeks and three months to discuss the mentoring relationship and the resettlement progress. The mentor would do well to rehearse the contracting made at the beginning of the relationship.<\/p>\n

Accountability and Support<\/h2>\n

Usually, a mentor will send a written report after each mentoring session to their manager. Any issues highlighted in this report will be followed up within 24 hours. Volunteer mentors have supervision twice a year along with more informal meetings.<\/p>\n

It is not uncommon for a crisis to occur with a prison leaver. They might, for example, arrive at the mentoring venue after self-harming or under the influence. It is important for the mentor to know when to act on safeguarding issues and how to call for support.<\/p>\n

\"BuyI had a mentee who presented as homeless to the mentoring session. For me, this created a host of boundary issues. For example:<\/p>\n