Although individual circumstances vary, nearly everyone in reentry faces challenges that may be hard to imagine for someone who hasn’t lived through them. From finding housing and catching up on technology to establishing credit and seeking employment, these obstacles can feel overwhelming.
Returning citizens need encouragement, assistance with the details of everyday life and emotional support. And there are few better ways to receive these things than through a mentor. Many who have had one say that they couldn’t have gained the success they achieved without the help of their mentor.
Considering how effective mentoring relationships can be, it’s surprising how few established mentorship programs we’re aware of. There should be more.
Maybe your organization, church or government agency will be inspired by the stories below to start a program of your own. And if you do, you might be surprised by the community’s response. More than 1,000 people have applied to serve as mentors with the Idaho Dept. of Corrections Free2Succeed program, for example.
Examples of mentorship programs
Here are a few examples of the programs that exist to give an idea of how they operate.
The National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens (NAARC)
The National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens (NAARC) – a nine-year old nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those in reentry, as well as those of their families and communities – has been offering a weekly support group since 2020.
Although it began with in-person meetings, Covid forced them to go online, and the group continues to meet via Zoom from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening.
According to Eric Weaver, the organization’s executive director, attendance varies between three and 40 participants each week. While the information is geared toward resources in Washington D.C., where NAARC is located, anyone can participate. The sessions are presented by a variety of people, including those who have had success in reentry, representatives of government agencies and other organizations, and employers.
Weaver says that nurturing a successful support group requires three things:
- A good relationship with the population of returning citizens.
- Active outreach to community agencies and organizations.
- An effective group facilitator.
Mission Beyond Bars and Beyond (MB3)
The Louisville, Ky.-based nonprofit Mission Beyond Bars and Beyond previously sponsored a mentoring program at various locations throughout Kentucky. Mentors were trained to serve in what it called Nurture, Support and Accountability Groups (NSAG), each of which consisted of three volunteers and one mentee. These groups met regularly for six months to a year, beginning when the mentee was released from prison.
“We wanted to mentor them, give them a safe spot where they could come and talk about their struggles, about what’s working for them and what’s not,” says Brian Scully, the organization’s case manager who was in charge of the program.
The mentors were dedicated to supporting their mentees when they encountered problems and to helping them learn life skills and how to deal with people at their workplace. Volunteers were recruited from local Disciples of Christ churches. MB3 offered day-long trainings in Louisville and Lexington and, before Covid, it had 24 groups In 24 counties.
Scully is now working on a six-month to one-year residential program that he hopes will be launched next year. He has this advice to offer to those thinking about starting a mentoring support group, though.
“It can be challenging, but don’t give up. I had the most dedicated people I’ve ever worked with. They came from every walk of life. Some were mechanics, some farmers, some housewives, some worked in factories,” he says.
“Some groups fail. Some don’t. Stick with it. There are going to be some bumpy roads but the reward at the end is unbelievable.”
The Credible Messenger Program
Developed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this unique program pairs returning citizens with mentors, known as Credible Messengers, who have had similar life experiences. The department employs and pays a salary to the credible messengers, who are selected through an interview process.
“The Credible Messenger Program was established four years ago by the Massachusetts Undersecretary of the Criminal Justice System. It was founded on the belief that individuals with lived experience – whether formerly incarcerated or having a family member impacted by the justice system – are uniquely positioned to support others,” says Robert Grenier, Credible Messengers manager.
Individuals who are scheduled for release within the next 90-120 days are eligible to participate, and support can continue for up to one year post-release.
But how do these people find out about the program? Information is distributed through the personal electronic tablets that most individuals who are incarcerated in the participating facilities have access to. People also learn about it through word of mouth.
“Word travels fast. Many times, interest in our program is peaked simply from one individual telling another about the work we do. The general understanding is the Credible Messengers can help with clothing, employment and future housing opportunities – although the support extends beyond these areas,” says Timothy Galvin, a Credible Messenger.
The Credible Messengers meet with the people they are mentoring several times pre-release to build rapport and facilitate a smooth transition back into society.
Each Credible Messenger is assigned a territory within Massachusetts, thus allowing them to establish relationships with local agencies and providers. And they each have a caseload of people they mentor and offer support to for up to a year.
“We stay involved as a consistent, trusted guide, someone who understands what it’s like to come home after incarceration and can help avoid the common pitfalls,” says Lakeya Wigfall, another Credible Messenger.
“Whether it’s getting to appointments, building life skills, or just having someone to talk to, we’re here to walk alongside the participant every step of the way. Credible Messengers help navigate real-world challenges like finding a place to live, getting a job, reconnecting with family, or accessing healthcare, counseling, etc. The goal is to promote stability, independence and reduced recidivism by ensuring participants have the resources and emotional support they need to succeed.”
Free2Succeed
The Idaho Department of Corrections launched Free2Succeed as a community mentorship program comprised of volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life. The requirements are that the mentor must be at least 25, fill out an application form, be willing to work with the Idaho Dept. of Corrections staff, attend training sessions and complete monthly reports.
The program was created by Jeff Kirkman, the IDOC’s program manager, following his return to Boise after serving as a warden at the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center.
“I always thought there could be more done to support the individual after release in so many things that we take for granted, like going to a grocery store or making calls to access resources,” he says.
“I look at mentors like the empty jar analogy:
- Rocks in a jar could represent conditions of supervision, those things that are required while on community supervision. Many on supervision may see their “jar” full with just the rocks in it.
- Pebbles added to the same jar could represent other things that are important to a successful reintegration – school, work, church and positive social connections.
- Sand may represent the finer details of one’s journey through supervision and reintegration – motivation, self-esteem, trust and confidence, and resiliency.
- Adding water to what might seem like a completely full “jar” may represent the intangible benefits of what mentors can continue to add to their mentee’s success. These may include friendship, understanding, empathy and/or sympathy, encouragement, positive reinforcement and direction.
Like water added to an already full jar mentors can really help fill in the details of their mentee’s life.”
How exactly does Free2Succeed Work?
Those interested in participating in Free2Succeed apply within about three months of their release. Once they are accepted and a mentor agrees to mentor them, the two will have an initial phone call. The mentor receives a list of suggested questions and topics for discussion that will help determine how best they can assist their new mentee.
The Idaho Dept. of Corrections also publishes a Free2Succeed Mentor Handbook that guides mentors so they can be successful in their new role.
After release, an initial meeting is scheduled between the mentor, mentee and a parole officer to discuss the mentorship. After that, the mentor and mentee begin to meet, but there is no established time, length or location, since every mentee needs a different level of support.
Although the program allows flexibility, there are four absolute prohibitions.
- Mentors cannot mentor mentees of the opposite sex.
- Mentors cannot allow mentees to live in their home.
- Mentors will not be matched with family members.
- Mentors will not enter into financial agreements or contracts with mentees.
Although these examples are not the only mentoring programs that exist – there are a few others that we know of – they give an idea of what is possible.
Whether sponsored by a church, nonprofit organization, department of corrections or other entity, a mentorship program can help those leaving prison reenter society. Having a mentor can be a crucial step on the road to success.
Editor’s note: Our next blog article will focus on excellent mentor manuals created by two different organizations. These manuals are designed to guide mentors as they prepare for their very important role in helping people re-establish their lives after release.
