WIREDGOV

A two part documentary has been made about the ‘Working one to one with young offenders’ project in Northern Ireland.

The first part was shown on BBC1 Northern Ireland on 4th January and the second part will be shown on 11th January. Each part of the documentary can be viewed on BBC iplayer for the seven days following broadcast.

This project enables former offenders to support young offenders through their transition from custody to the community. The mentors work as a team by visiting the prison on a monthly basis to deliver a motivational talk to a group of young people.

Mentors share their life experience to inspire young people that they too can turn their life around and live successfully. Once matched, mentors visit their young person monthly in prison, meet them at the gate and support them in the community.

The primary role of a mentor is to inspire and motivate their young person. The secondary role is to support their young person to access appropriate services for their resettlement needs e.g. benefits, accommodation or health.

The project is being piloted in South West and South East England and in Northern Ireland.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00x9vw3/Quitting_Crime_Episode_1/