In an exciting pilot project with West Yorkshire Police, HMP Leeds and HMP Wealstun, Mosaic is giving a helping hand to offenders who want to get back into mainstream society.
Our pilot offender mentoring programme will supply fully trained mentors to HMP Leeds and HMP Wealstun, and these volunteers will support offenders practically and emotionally with matters relating to their resettlement, such as housing, employment and education.
The pilot comes at a time when figures indicate a growth of young Muslims within UK prisons. Young Muslims aged 18-20 currently make up 21% of the prison population, compared with Muslims making up just 3% of the general population. With the largest Muslim population outside of London and the North West, Yorkshire is a region that will benefit from the support our volunteers are able to offer.
Jonathan Freeman, Mosaic Director says: “Mosaic first launched our offender programme in London in 2009 in response to the disproportionate number of Muslims serving custodial sentences. Recent figures suggest the problem isn’t getting better and our work is now needed in other areas too. I am excited to be bringing the programme to Yorkshire and also to be collaborating with West Yorkshire Police and HMPs Leeds and Wealstun“.
Mabs Hussain, Superintendent, West Yorkshire Police, said: “This pilot is an innovative approach to reducing reoffending. The project will provide an opportunity for offenders to turn their lives around by working with a mentor who will help to provide a structured and positive influence in that person’s life. Mentors will form part of a wider team, complementing the pioneering work in the area of Offender Management in both West Yorkshire Police and HM Prison service”.
See the impact we hope the pilot scheme will have by watching this powerful video about ex-prisoners being mentored:
Could you be a mentor? To find out what’s involved, visit our Yorkshire page or contact our Yorkshire regional manager Nabila Ayub at Nabila.ayub@bitc.org.uk or on 07771 532 777.
