AIM:

To deter young prisoners from future offending by utilising the experience of long term prisoners in a group mentoring capacity, to:

• Highlight the impact on self, family and others which offending behaviour creates.
• Discuss whether crime pays in terms of what it actually costs you and those who matter to you.
• Discuss what other options are available to the young prisoners before they become further entrenched in criminal behaviour and potentially lose those options.

SESSION 1 - Introduction
SESSION 2 - Crime Pays?
SESSION 3 - Family & Relationships
SESSION 4 - Evaluation

HOW IT WORKS WITHIN HMP HULL:

The programme is a joint initiative between the Hull Mentoring Project – HMP Hull and HMP Hull prisoners. This is demonstrated as follows:

LINKS TO COMMUNITY:

YOT
ASB Team
Challenge & Support Team
Pupil Referral Units
National Challenge schools
Youth & Community Centres

The experience, contribution of participants and also other material is used extensively by the Hull Mentoring Project’s work within the community. Examples include:

• Exercises designed by the prisoners to address specific issues within youth offending.
• Film making – currently finishing two project films focusing upon the realities of drug dealing and also violence and its consequences.
• Letters and ‘written’ experiences of prisoners to be used within sessions within the community.

STATISTICS & OUTCOMES:

Since May 26th:
68 - Young Prisoners completed programme.

204 - Current projected numbers for a year to complete programme. This could easily improve if programme became compulsory attendance.

100% of young prisoners evaluated felt it would be beneficial to ALL young prisoners.

8.6 / 10 is the average score which young prisoners have rated the effectiveness of the programme to meet it’s aims – get them thinking about their futures in a more positive light!
£0! Current cost to HMP Hull regarding marketing / promotion etc.

Selection of Young Prisoners Comments:

• PARTICIPANTS WERE ASKED WHAT THE BEST THING ABOUT THE SESSIONS WAS:

“After (a mentor) said something last week about how it seemed I was still feeling sorry for myself (over a 7 year sentence for a stabbing) it got me thinking. In the past week I’ve been thinking more about the kid I did it to and feel a bit depressed and guilty about it. I think this is a major shift in how I see things”

“When I first came in here I never thought about who it effected, but in reality and looking at what you get out of it…it’s pathetic! I can earn it legit and without the stress I’m putting my family through as well as being in here”

“This course made me realise how much trouble alcohol gets me into. It has stopped me drinking hooch on the wings as it causes agro and things kick off”

“….Talking about victims and is it really worth doing it?”

• PARTICIPANTS WERE ASKED IF THE COURSE HAD CHANGED THEIR ATTITUDES TO OFFENDING & THEIR FUTURE?

“(In fairness) I’m not a career criminal…it was an argument that went wrong. Since doing these sessions I’ve put down for anger management sessions as I know I have to sort my temper out”

“Yes…when (2 mentors) were talking about recall, I thought when I get out I’m going to f&%k people off I hang around with and get my head down. I don’t want to be back in this s&*t hole”

“Yes. The money I’ll earn (out of crime) I’d probably earn on the dole (over the years). I know if I keep doing crime I’ll keep getting longer and longer sentences and that makes me think I’ll waste my life in here”

“Yes…I need to keep thinking about what I’m putting my family through”

“Yes..makes you think about what you have done and the seriousness, how it effects you and those around you…instead of just sat in your pad thinking of home”

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