The Arts, Rehabilitation or Both? Experiences of Mentoring Artists in Prison and Beyond

Abstract

Mentoring within the criminal justice system plays an important role in rehabilitative and desistance processes. The experiences of arts-based mentors are scarcely documented. This study discloses the narratives of eleven trained arts mentors who support ex-offenders in continuing their artistic engagement. Findings show a number of benefits and challenges for those who mentor ex-offenders, and their experiences convey a message to new recruits. Reasons for becoming a mentor, limitations and constraints, and mentee-focused factors are discussed.