One Postcode Brochure

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Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Contents EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES.......................10 Addressing Language and CommunicationWhat is One Postcode..................................... 4 Issues......................................................... 11 Feedback .................................................2 Sentence Management................................. 12 Setting Sentence Goals .............................13Unlock ............................................................. 2Welcome ......................................................... 3 Together you can ..................................13Your First Meeting .......................................... 4 Sentence Management – IEP – Incentive Earned Privileges.......................................14 Before the meeting .................................4 Strategy for Next Steps .............................15 At the meeting ........................................4 Suggested Mentoring Activities................16 At the end of the meeting - You should REFORMED FOUNDATION ............................ 17 go away with ...........................................4 Building the Relationship ........................5 Who are we?.........................................17 Role of the Mentor..................................5 Programs ................................................... 17 Staying focused .......................................5Your Last Meeting and Beyond....................... 6 Crossroads Programme.........................17 Handling Roadblocks...................................7 Mentoring as a Career ..........................18 Issues and possible solutions ..................7 Our Mission Statement.........................19 Punctuality ..............................................7 Inappropriate expectations of the other’s role ..........................................................7 Mentee needs more intensive support than mentor can provide ........................7 One feels the other is not making the mentoring relationship a priority............8One Postcode Mentors facilitate mediation:Bringing peace to prisons................................ 9 What is conflict resolution? ........................9 Why should you use conflict resolution?....9 What are the seven steps to resolving conflict?.......................................................9DETERMINING INTERESTS OF BOTH PARTYS 10 MY INTERESTS ...........................................10 POSSIBLE OUTCOMES ...............................10 LEGITIMACY...............................................10 THEIR INTERESTS.......................................10 2

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Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutWhat is One PostcodeReformed Foundation has been operating This was identified as aas a community Interest Company for need within the community. Reformedover two years. We take pride in the fact Foundation recognised the gap andthat we are one of the leading services in impacts of gang culture in therehabilitation for ex-offenders and anti- communities which evidently impacts thegang mentorship. gang culture within the prison.In 2015 Reformed Foundation was With this need identified and standing ascontacted by HMP Belmarsh to create and a potential barrier we decided to bringfacilitate strategies to tackle their rising One Postcode into the community as agang feuds between the inmates. campaign brand against gangs. Taking partTogether with the prison staff and a in this movement by supporting us andchoice of eight ‘high profile’ specially wearing our brand is a message of non-selected inmates, we decided to develop a involvement. It represents and sends outmentorship and mediation program. a message that “I am not part of a gang”.HMP Belmarsh and Reformed Foundation We think there is a wealth of youth whojoined forces to implement the initiative, want to be identified of having no gangleading it to the name of One Postcode, involvement and are sick of the stigmaderived from the inmates themselves. attached to them by society of gangGang associated members in the prison culture.were approached to oppose postcoderivalry and engage in the one postcode The bigger the message generates moreconcept. The program is very successful power to making a tangible change andand is continuing to expand. One breaking the cycle of youth gangpostcode mentoring, challenges gang involvement and association. Oneinvolvement and promotes peace and postcode is an inclusive brand and wantsunity between gang members or anyone to support those that are linked to gangswho does not want to be part of a gang or through geographical location.associated with one.The successes of the project swayed itinto the direction of a ‘movement’ withthe adaptability to suit any prison.However, there was an underlying issuethat impacted directly on the onepostcode concept. David Fredrick – Reformed Foundation – CEO & Founder 4

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Feedback“Belmarsh prisoners wanted to start a new project to deal with gangs and gang culture. Totry and stop the gang fighting while in custody and hence wanted them all to live under OnePost Code, that of Belmarsh. Freddie and his team agreed to deliver this training to theprisoners, to become mentors and lead the project forward.Freddie had to change the training package to meet our needs and did so quickly and to aperfect standard for us. The training took place over a week and all the prisoners loved it.They felt empowered and had skills to deal with prisoners in gangs who wanted to liveviolent free while in custody.Due to the extent of the training, the support and advise offered to the lads by Freddie andhis team after training, the lads have taken this new project forward and it is becoming areal success in Belmarsh.We could not have done this without Freddie and his team and we look forward to himreturning and training up a fresh group who have signed up to the One Post Code and theycan help promote a violent free environment to live in and hopefully take this thoughtprocess away with them either on release or into other establishments. Thank you so muchFreddie and team.”Beverley Clark (Governor, Safer Custody HMP Belmash)\"...Since Reformed Foundation trained up our One Postcode Mentors, we have facilitatedover 30 successful nonviolent gang conflict resolutions, also violence, including assaults onstaff have dropped to a minimum (although we don't have direct evidence to say it'sbecause of the One Postcode) We are very happy with the progress we are making thanks toyou guys.\"Steve Branch (Safer Custody Officer HMP Belmarsh 2

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Unlock Unlock the mind, soul and wrath Unlock the past, present and path. Unlock the doors, the windows, and the start Unlock the person, the spirit, and the heart. Unlock the talent, ability and the craft Unlock the scheme, the vision, and advance. Unlock By Michael Groce 2

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out WelcomeThis Mentoring Handbook offers insight compiled to support mentors and mentees. It offersideas and helpful tips that you may find useful in your mentoring journey and is based onthe advice and experience of our mentors, mentees, mentoring coaches and corporatepartner coordinators.This handbook is updated regularly so mentors and mentees can benefit from timelyinformation and feel free to share these resources with others who might benefit fromthem. We are endeavouring to provide a comprehensive compilation of helpful resources.Let’s look at how you can make the best use of the time spent during your mentoringrelationship, make a significant difference to the mentee’s personal life and create anenriching experience for both of you. We’ll start with an overview of activities to consider. 3

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Your First Meeting • Discuss logistics, such as o Best time of day or week to get in Here are some tips for making the most of touch. your first meeting as a mentoring pair. o A recurring meeting time often works best Before the meeting o A convenient place to meet o how long to wait if someone doesn’t• The mentor can review the mentee’s show up for a scheduled meeting referral details to gain a better o Best method for keeping in touch understanding of the mentee’s situation between meetings and objectives. o What’s expected between calls or visits• Review the Handbook and The Mentoring Partnership Agreement. • Set boundaries for the mentoring relationship. Discuss and seek clarity• The mentor and mentee can have a about conversation, individually or together, with the mentoring coach to discuss the o Whether it is okay to discuss match and explore any ideas s/he may emotional issues and how have. o Whether it is okay for the mentor to• Review roles and expectations from the offer feedback on personal norms mentoring commitment. about clothing, grooming, nonverbal communication• Read over the Partnership Agreement and Code of Conduct that o Whether it is appropriate to address you received at the orientation session language issues or from the mentoring coach. o Whether it is appropriate to discuss At the meeting behaviours that each of you may find offensive• Take time to get to know each other. Share personal and personal histories, • Discuss confidentiality. Be very specific find similarities and differences. about things which you feel should stay Mentors can cover specific information confidential: please be mindful that the on what they do at work and what their concept of confidentiality may vary position means in the organization. significantly between cultures • Discuss challenges or barriers to meeting such as travel and child care • Decide what you want to achieve together and set priorities given the time frame and scope of your roles • Sign the Partnership Agreement At the end of the meeting - You should go away with • The feeling that you know more about your mentee/mentor • An agreement on your learning goals and priorities • A few meetings booked in advance 4

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Building the Relationship • Providing inspiration • Validating another’s experience Role of the Mentor • Helping an experienced mentor to Mentors and mentees alike look forward transfer their knowledge and to a productive and rewarding mentoring experience so that they can achieve experience. success in a new situation Building an open and enjoyable Staying focused relationship of mutual respect will be your key to achieving this goal. Your ability to It is inevitable that you will get side- create and maintain a relationship will be tracked, distracted or slowed down by a significant part of your success. various developments during your time together. Please remember that the role of a mentor is not to find a contraband for Here are a few tips for what you can do at the mentee. each meeting that may help you stay focused on your goal: This expectation can put a strain on your mentoring relationship. • Follow up on earlier commitments – what has been achieved, what Instead, maintain a focus on helping you challenges came up, how can they be the mentee and gain a better addressed? understanding and knowledge in the three key areas addressed by The Mentoring • Check on new developments in the Partnership mentee’s life – do they present a new opportunity or a new challenge that Successful mentoring is all about needs to be addressed?• Conversation • Attend to anything that needs• Sharing of knowledge, information and immediate attention, including a lack of motivation. experiences• Learning from each other • Briefly go over your goals and• Opening doors milestones – are you still on target? • Work on a topic or issue that you have selected for the day. • Identify next steps, with deadlines and outcomes. Always take some time for small talk and catching up with each other. 5

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Your Last Meeting and Beyond Closures are important moments in our lives: take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your journey together.• Review your work of the last few months: What was your most memorable experience and why? What have each of you learned?• Talk a bit about the future: What will the mentee’s next steps be? Any parting words of advice from the mentor?• Thank each other and acknowledge your partner’s contribution. Your last meeting may take different forms; for example, your mentoring relationship may not last the full four months because the mentee may have already found a job. In this case, it is important to at least follow up with a phone call to signal the end of your formal relationship. Your last meeting is not the end of your involvement in the program.• Make sure to complete the evaluation form that will be sent to you electronically.• Mentees have the option to stay in touch with the coach and get further support in their job search.• Mentors have the option to stay involved and volunteer to be matched again. Whether you will stay in touch with each other is up to you. You may want to maintain your relationship; however, remember that there is no ongoing obligation to offer or receive support after your formal mentoring relationship is over 6

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Handling Roadblocks • Explain workplace norms and the implications of tardiness in the context Mentoring is a powerful connection of Canadian workplace culture. between two people. Over the course of your mentoring relationship, you may Inappropriate expectations of the other’s experience great joys as well as some role uncomfortable moments. “The mentee asked me to find him a job.” “We spent the whole hour talking about Issues and possible solutions how my mentor might expand his business This is a list of possible issues that may interests in my home country.” arise during your mentoring relationship and some suggestions for how to deal • Take time out to clarify roles as per the with them. This list is not exhaustive: orientation and the handbook. Remember you may always contact your mentoring coach for support. Fellow • Politely bring the discussion back on mentors/mentees may also have useful track – i.e. what is the purpose of your strategies to share. mentoring relationship? Punctuality • Get the support of your coach if you are “My mentor/mentee always arrives at unsure how to deal with the situation. least 15 minutes late for our scheduled meetings. What should I do?” Mentee needs more intensive support than mentor can provide• Agree upfront on what should be done “The mentee’s business writing skills are if either party is going to be late. problematic.”• Remember that rescheduling, ahead of • See the online Handbook topic time, is an option. on addressing language issues.• Be aware that different cultures and • Discuss your concerns with your religions have different orientations to mentee. time and discuss what is considered appropriate behaviour. • Consult the mentoring coach for language services, support or referrals. • Discuss how the issue affects the goals of your sentence together, and the mentee’s job readiness. If necessary, review your priorities and redirect your efforts. 7

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out “I realize that I am really discouraged and • Are there any underlying issues down and it is affecting my mood and my affecting your mentoring relationship? relationship with my mentor.” • Assess whether current demands on• Share your concerns with your mentor. your time allow you to continue to• Consult the mentoring coach for meet your minimum obligations. If not, consider contacting your mentoring services, support or referrals. coach to formally pause your relationship for a few weeks One feels the other is not making the mentoring relationship a priority. • Contact your mentoring coach for “My mentor/mentee never calls me support. back.” “I sent three emails and I haven’t received Mentees come with an understanding of an answer yet.” the culture and positions they have held, “My mentor/mentee cancelled our sometimes in more than one meeting at the last minute twice.” establishments. They will want to learn about the ins and outs of the Prison• In your first meeting, communicate and Culture and how it is similar and different agree to how long it might take for you in other places. This valuable information to return calls and emails. will assist them as they look at their Sentence Management. Knowledge about• Let the other person know if the coming the prison may help mentees prepare period will be especially busy. answers to interview questions.• Be forgiving. This is an area where mentors have as• Discuss the expectations you have of much to learn as mentees about working in a culturally diverse environment both your partner. Are they realistic? short and long term. So, take advantage of the opportunity to exchange experiences.Effective communication is key to succeeding in the Canadian workplace. Your mentoringrelationship is an important opportunity to learn about and address communication issues,whether rooted in language or cultural differences or both. 8

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutOne Postcode Mentors facilitate mediation: Bringing peace toprisonsWhat is conflict resolution? • Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among themWhy should you use conflict resolution? • You want to come to an agreement that benefits all parties • You want to understand more about those whose ideas, beliefs, and backgrounds may be different from your own • You want to ensure that your relationships with opponents continue and grow • You want to find peaceful solutions to difficult situations • You want to save your energy for more productive activities than battles • You know when you should resolve the conflict • You have decided if the conflict is between individuals or groups (or an individual and a group)What are the seven steps to resolving conflict? 1. You understand the conflict: 2. You understand both sides' interests 3. You have considered the possible outcomes of the negotiation 4. You have considered possible mediators and objective standards to help resolve the dispute 5. You are ready to communicate with the opposition: • You are willing to negotiate with the opposition to find a resolution 6. You want to learn from your opposition 7. You want to turn your opposition into an ally • You are prepared to brainstorm for possible resolutions • You have selected the best resolution • You have found a third party mediator and/or objective standard • You have set a best alternative for yourself if negotiations fail • You are ready to identify and cope with stressful situations and pressure tactics 9

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutDETERMINING INTERESTS OF BOTH PARTYSPostcode Mentors will help you mediate what is important for you and what is importantfor your opponent. Filling in the questionnaire you can examine your best alternatives tofind a solution to your conflict.MY INTERESTS • What are my interests? • What do I really care about in this conflict? • What do I want? • What do I need? • What are my concerns, hopes, fears?POSSIBLE OUTCOMES • What kinds of agreements might we reach?LEGITIMACY • What third party, outside of the conflict, might convince one or both of us that a proposed agreement is a fair one? • What objective standard might convince us that an agreement is fair? (a law, an expert opinion, the market value of the transaction?) • Is there a precedent that would convince us that an agreement is fair?THEIR INTERESTS • What are the interests of my opposition? • If I were in their shoes, what would I really care about in this conflict? • What do they want? • What do they need? • What are their concerns, hopes, fears?EXPLORING ALTERNATIVESWhat's my best alternative to negotiations? • Pros • Cons:Ways to make my alternative even better: 10

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Addressing Language and Communication Issues There are many variations of languages used in prison. Differences may vary regionally, or internationally with different age and gender groups, and different levels of formality. In our multicultural society, you are bound to encounter different accents and ways of speaking. Take advantage of your mentoring relationship to address language and communications issues as they arise. This can be a sensitive and challenging area, but it is an important one. Here are a few tips on how to address language and communication issues. Together you can• Agree from the beginning that you will address language and communication issues.• Decide on the best way to approach the topic. 11

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting Out Sentence ManagementSettling in a new prison/sentence can require people to look at their sentence in new ways.Mentoring provides an opportunity to learn about how one’s occupation is practised here,to adjust career goals or set new ones if necessary, and make a future.Mentees will have already received some general job search training and support prior toparticipating in the mentoring program. They should already have an idea of which careerdirection they would like to pursue; however, during the mentoring relationship, menteesmay need assistance with • Setting sentence goals commensurate with their skills and experience. • Developing a strategy to achieve sentence goals. • Gaining relevant personal skills and knowledge. 12

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutSetting Sentence Goals Mentors may agree that the mentee is absolutely on the right track, or mayIt can be difficult to set specific goals if a suggest alternative career paths for theperson does not have a complete mentee to consider that will help them tounderstanding of the process as it is meet their goals. Work together to assesspractised here and has not had theopportunity to speak with people who Setting sentence goals may includework in the prison. 1. Changing or confirming the kinds ofA mentor’s critical assessment of the positions which the mentee would likementee’s sentence goals may lead to the to target in their activity search.identification of barriers, personaldevelopment needs and/or alternative 2. Identifying personalcareer choices which may be as or more development needs and lining upattractive. options.Take time to conduct a “reality check 3. Identifying and considering alternatives to the mentee’s first choice if” of the mentee’s short-term and long- necessary.term career goals. What are theassumptions and rationale behind them? 4. Developing a short-term strategy forDo the mentee’s “assets” match the securing IEP status and aligning it with acareer choice? Like all job seekers, long-term strategy for achieving goals.newcomers sometimes underestimate, orinflate, their potential. Together you can • Explore transferable skills and alternative career options (if relevant). • Highlight career options which the mentee may not have considered. • Shed light on the pros and cons of different career options. • Discuss possible rewards and challenges of the chosen career direction. • Work on an action plan. • Consult Networking and Researching your field for additional suggestions. 13

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutSentence Management – IEP – Based on the Sentence Management,Incentive Earned Privileges identify gaps in knowledge and discuss personal development opportunities thatThe ability to learn is an essential the mentee can pursue such ascomponent of building and maintaining an certifications, courses and appropriateenhanced sentence. skills development to help them reach their goals.The mentee may already know a lot abouttraining and personal development in The amount of time you spend on thistheir field. The most effective discussions topic will vary depending on whether thewithin the mentoring relationship will mentee has decided to change or developlikely focus on what IEP means for the his or her career goals.mentee. A change in direction may require learning about training and personal development opportunities in the new field. Together you can • Discuss the importance of personal development in your field and for the mentee personally. • Talk about what prison value. • Explore options for specific personal development areas relevant to the mentee’s goals. • Create an action plan. 14

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutStrategy for Next Steps Together you canSome mentees will make a smooth • Differentiate between short and long-transition into their field of choice, some term career goals.will take a longer route and others willembark on a new direction. The • Identify steps that can be taken tomentoring relationship can provide reach these goals and assigninsight, strategies and support for what milestones; for example, volunteerfollows. work, certification, courses. • Strategies on how to overcome challenges and barriers. • Plan the transition period between sentence; for example, working at one job while taking courses to prepare for another. • Discuss each of your own career paths to-date. Were they linear? If not, how did you make the transition from one to another? • Come up with decision-making criteria. For example, what trade-offs between IEP and Sentence Management can the mentee accept? Or how would one know if conflict is a good Sentence Management move or IEP-killer? • Analyse opportunities to identify their future potential and not only the immediate benefits. 15

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutSuggested Mentoring Activities 1. Confirm the purpose of your work together.Planning your time together 2. Make sure you are clear on yourConsider using the Initial Assessment tool goals for the mentoringto identify areas that the mentee may relationship.need to focus on. Start by understandingthe mentee’s priorities. • Try to have goals in each of the areas addressed by mentoring:Knowing the mentee’s personal sentence and personalaspirations and job search gaps will give development.you both a good sense of what to do next.If the mentee has needs that fall beyond 3. Agree on a few milestones.the scope of your mentoring relationship,then contact the mentoring coach for 4. Start by planning next steps inreferrals. advance – i.e. what are you going to talk about at your next two orOnce you have identified the mentee’s three meetings? At the end ofneeds and together have set the priorities, each meeting, reassess your goalsit is time to develop an action plan. You and milestones and modify asmay follow these four simple steps: necessary. • Is the goal realistic? • Is it achievable in the given time frame? • Is it necessary to identify more manageable interim goals instead? 16

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutREFORMED FOUNDATION The Crossroads Programme tackles issues of personal development, lowWho are we? self-esteem and confidence. It encourages clients to look at workReformed gives practical, emotional and opportunities and living industriousfinancial support to the young people who and productive life styles. Thisneed it the most. Our projects are carefully programme is designed to give thosedesigned to boost the self-esteem, self-worth, at risk of offending a wakeup callcreativity and self-preservation of vulnerable whilst instilling a more moral sense ofyoung people who impress us with their drive judgment.and determination to learn from their pastmistakes and follow a different, positive path. As an introduction to our mentoringWe believe young people from criminal programmes, the Crossroadsbackgrounds fully deserve our support, programme is designed to initiateopportunities, and a second chance. We help positive focus by a cognitivethem develop key life skills, confidence and behavioural therapeutic (CBT)motivation, enabling young people to be approach. We hope to initiate feelingssupported as they move into work, education of responsibility by the clients, in theand/or training. hope that we can support them to reduce and ideally stop theirPrograms offending.Crossroads Programme The Crossroads Programme is delivered at various organisations suchThis programme was written by ex- as:offenders. It is made up of a core • Youth centresprogramme that focuses on changing • Prisonsattitudes and behaviours, including • Social Clubsperceptions. It is delivered by its authors • Youth Offending Groupsin a hard hitting, no non-sense style, • Pop up Training Roomswhich ex-offenders and those at risk ofoffending respond well to. The course covers a myriad of subjects such as: • Life Skills • Stereotypes • Changing Behaviour • Victim Awareness • Anger Management • Substance Misuse / Alcohol Abuse • Gang Involvement 17

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutPeer Mentoring An example would be an experienced student being a peer mentor to a newReformed runs a diverse range of student, the peer mentee, in acreative projects, that encourage particular subject, or in a new school.young people to take responsibility for Peer mentors are also used for healththemselves and helping them build a and lifestyle changes. For example,life and choose, not the one they have clients, or patients, with support frombeen handed down. peers, may have one-on-one sessions that meet regularly to help themWe have seen first-hand and captured recover or rehabilitate.on film the life-transforming that traveland working in the third world Our mentors are highly trained andcountries can have on young people experienced in supporting offenderswho are automatically turned down by with the issues that many of themvolunteering organisations because of face, and struggle with daily. Reformedtheir criminal records, or because they Foundation have a diverse team thatcan’t afford to pay any of their own are empathic towards our clients.expenses. Ironically these are the verypeople that benefit the most from We offer mentoring in 3 monthsuch opportunities. Typically, they intervals of one (1hr) sessions perhave nothing to lose – and everything week. One of the mentor's roles is toto gain. “sign-post” mentees to various supporting organisations which in turnReformed addresses questions of provide education, housing,fairness and equality. Reformed is the employment, apprenticeships and abrain child of a collective of pioneering myriad of other vital prerequisite somesocial entrepreneurs, mentors, individual needs to build a positive life.creative and business role models andphilanthropists with a proven trackrecord of initiating and managing aclaimed project, helping young peoplefrom criminal backgrounds transformtheir lives.Mentoring as a CareerPeer mentoring is a form ofmentorship that generally takes placebetween a person who has livedthrough a specific experience (PeerMentor) and a person who is new tothat experience or likely to be in thenear future (the Peer Mentee). 18

Prison - Going In Prison – Doing Time Prison – Getting OutOur Mission Statement 19