The purpose, role and impact of ‘Through the Gate’ mentoring in the resettlement of prisoners and well-being of their families
type: CreativeWork
description: This thesis synthesises the findings and implications of three empirical research studies undertaken between 2002 and 2017 to examine the role, purpose and impact of mentoring relationships on the desistance journey of male ex-prisoners, with a particular focus upon the importance of ‘through the gate’ continuity of contact upon the outcomes achieved. The third study within this portfolio of research focuses upon Invisible Walls Wales (IWW), a mentoring service for prisoners and their families and expands the emphasis to shed light upon the impact of ‘Whole Family’ mentoring delivered within a multi-agency context on the lives of ex-prisoners, their families and children. A review of the available literature is provided regarding the role and purpose of mentoring individuals in the Criminal Justice System, together with research evidencing the impact of the mentoring relationship upon recidivism and the intermediate outcomes achieved on the offender’s desistance journey. Previous research highlighting the impact of family relationships on resettlement outcomes and likelihood of re-offending is also examined, along with a review of the existing literature exploring the impact of mentoring, family interventions and multi-agency support upon prisoners’ families and children. Each of the three studies represents a process and impact evaluation utilising a quasi-experimental, mixed methods approach to examine ‘through the gate’ mentoring initiatives received by adult, male prisoners, and in the case of the third study, by their families and children. The findings of the first two studies together indicate that establishing a mentoring relationship prior to release is a key factor in encouraging post release continuity of contact, which effectively bridges the gap between custody and community. Further, ‘through the gate’ mentoring support appears to have had a positive impact upon intermediate outcomes of rehabilitation such as reduced substance misuse, improved accommod…
abstract: This thesis synthesises the findings and implications of three empirical research studies undertaken between 2002 and 2017 to examine the role, purpose and impact of mentoring relationships on the desistance journey of male ex-prisoners, with a particular focus upon the importance of ‘through the gate’ continuity of contact upon the outcomes achieved. The third study within this portfolio of research focuses upon Invisible Walls Wales (IWW), a mentoring service for prisoners and their families and expands the emphasis to shed light upon the impact of ‘Whole Family’ mentoring delivered within a multi-agency context on the lives of ex-prisoners, their families and children. A review of the available literature is provided regarding the role and purpose of mentoring individuals in the Criminal Justice System, together with research evidencing the impact of the mentoring relationship upon recidivism and the intermediate outcomes achieved on the offender’s desistance journey. Previous research highlighting the impact of family relationships on resettlement outcomes and likelihood of re-offending is also examined, along with a review of the existing literature exploring the impact of mentoring, family interventions and multi-agency support upon prisoners’ families and children. Each of the three studies represents a process and impact evaluation utilising a quasi-experimental, mixed methods approach to examine ‘through the gate’ mentoring initiatives received by adult, male prisoners, and in the case of the third study, by their families and children. The findings of the first two studies together indicate that establishing a mentoring relationship prior to release is a key factor in encouraging post release continuity of contact, which effectively bridges the gap between custody and community. Further, ‘through the gate’ mentoring support appears to have had a positive impact upon intermediate outcomes of rehabilitation such as reduced substance misuse, improved accommod…
author: Clancy, Anna
language: eng
date published: 2023
date modified: 2026-07-24T04:39:51Z
provider: University of South Wales
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of South Wales