Jail tackles re-offending

An individual will meet his mentor both before and after he is released

A new scheme is being launched at a Devon prison to help deter inmates from continually re-offending.

Exeter Prison is introducing the Closing A Revolving Door (Card) project.

It aims to partner short-term offenders with mentors, who will encourage them to lead a stable lifestyle.

The project's managers hope this "professional friendship" will help repeat offenders get back their self-esteem.

Establish goals

Prison officers in Exeter say they are used to seeing the same faces reappearing in their cells, when prisoners held for a short time are released, and re-offend soon afterwards.

The mentoring scheme is described as an opportunity for the prison's inmates to escape this pattern.

An individual will meet with his mentor both before and after he is released.

They will work together to establish goals the prisoner can work towards.

These could include meeting with a probation officer, attending a drug rehabilitation programme, or making efforts to secure some accommodation.