Mentoring Incarcerated Youth: A Community-Based Learning Experience

Abstract

Recognizing the importance of university and community partnerships to address social issues, a mentoring program was implemented on a juvenile justice campus (JJC). A collaborative effort between a regional hispanic-serving university, the county probation department, and a non-profit agency resulted in the development and implementation of a mentoring program with incarcerated youth. Students assisted in the development and implementation of the mentoring program which incorporated life skills development, violence prevention, financial planning, parenting groups, needs assessments, and meditation. Student perceptions of their experience are explored using qualitative research methods. Educational benefits, the importance of collaboration, and the relationship between self-efficacy and placement satisfaction are discussed.