NCJ Number
237686
Date Published
November 2011
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study identifies the determinants and characteristics of successful mentoring for current and formerly incarcerated adults.
Abstract
This study concludes that there is a recognized need for mentoring in terms of social relationships in general, staff interactions with incarcerated individuals more specifically, and planned mentoring relationships in particular. In exploring the benefits of mentoring, this study did not use this term in the interviews with study participants. Instead, interviews inquired about experiences in interactions with someone who made a positive impact on an offender's attitudes and behaviors. Under this concept, "mentoring" is a process for the informal transmission of knowledge, social capital, and the psychosocial support perceived by the recipient as relevant to work, career, or professional and personal development, with the primary goal of preparing an offender (prerelease) for reentry and supporting him/her during the reentry process. Studies have shown that everyone who successfully transitions away from incarceration has at least one person who provides meaningful, personalized guidance that supports the person's transition. Often, study participants had multiple mentors while incarcerated, with some of the relationships continuing after release. Fostering in-custody mentoring relationships can be a building block for fostering future relationships with additional mentors. Other factors in a beneficial mentoring relationship are the identification of an existing readiness to change, encouraging a readiness to change, and providing guidance for techniques of behavioral change. Other factors in a beneficial mentoring relationship are interest in and capacity for personal change, commitment to a mentoring or mentoring-like relationship, effective communication styles, personal needs brought to the mentoring or mentoring-like relationship, and personal temperament. Patterns to avoid in a mentoring relationship are being the study's identified factors in effective mentoring, practical guidance for mentors is provided. A bibliography and an annotated list of resources