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| Sheriff's Inmate Mentor Program off to Fast Start |
| By Norfolk County Sheriff Office |
| Published: 11/09/2011 |
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DEDHAM, MA, Nov. 8, 2011 – An innovative new inmate mentoring program funded by a federal grant is yielding promising results at the Norfolk County Correctional Center, according to Sheriff Michael G. Bellotti. The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office has formed a partnership with Volunteers of America, a community-based non-profit agency that received a U.S. Justice Department grant to administer the mentor program. Community volunteers from various walks of life are paired with inmates while they are still incarcerated. They meet regularly with the idea that a bond will form. The mentors can help inmates on a number of fronts, ranging from finding a job or an apartment to going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or attending religious services. “We’re breaking new ground here, so it’s great to see our intentions and goals being embraced by the people in this program,” Sheriff Bellotti said. “By pairing volunteers with inmates so they can work together before and after the inmates finish serving their sentences, we have a much better chance of seeing those inmates stay on a productive, law-abiding path.” The Volunteers of America grant called for 40 inmates to be linked up with mentors during the first two years of the program, which just began this summer. Already, 27 pairings have taken place, with both mentors and inmates saying the results have been positive. Volunteers of America Chief Operating Officer Henry Goodhue said he has been thrilled by the volunteers who have stepped forward to work with the inmates. “We have lawyers, real estate people, former court employees and even some ex-offenders. It’s a nice mix of people who really can help,” Goodhue said. People wishing to volunteer as mentors should contact Volunteers of America by calling their main number at 617-522-8086 or sending an email to btimilty@voamass.org. |
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