RT Article
T1 Peer Mentors as Prison Volunteers: Building Bridges Between Institutions and Communities
JF International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology
VO 69
IS 5
SP 594
OP 610
A1 Lazzari, Sarah R.
A1 Franz, Brooke
A1 Lloyd, Caleb
A1 Higley, Cole A.
A1 Serin, Ralph C.
A2 Franz, Brooke
A2 Lloyd, Caleb
A2 Higley, Cole A.
A2 Serin, Ralph C.
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1920046690
AB One creative way that Departments of Corrections offset costs is by relying on volunteers. Prison volunteers are a heterogeneous group, who provide various programs to incarcerated populations. One unique subset of prison volunteers are peer mentors, who are individuals who have experienced criminal justice interventions and have desisted from criminal activities. These mentors provide unique guidance to individuals who are currently incarcerated or are preparing for release. The current study analyzed responses from peer mentors (N = 51) and explored their motivations and experiences. Thematic analysis was utilized to assess self-reported motivations and thoughts. Participants described internal, relational, and religious/community-based motivations for facing the barriers and challenges inherent in returning to prisons, in order to provide volunteer services. There is little known about prison volunteers and less about peer mentors. We encourage future research and policy to capitalize on the unique benefits peer mentors may provide incarcerated individuals.
K1 religious programming
K1 prison programming
K1 Reentry
K1 peer mentor
K1 prison volunteer
DO 10.1177/0306624X231188416