Each month an average of 490 adult offenders are released from Kansas Prisons. They are often released back onto the same streets where the crime they committed occurred. Upon release many have little or no money, no place to live, no job or ability to achieve sustained employment and no social support. In addition, many labor under the burden of lifelong patterns of anti-social influences and thinking. The result is that nearly 50% of those released return to prison within 6 months. Through the Shawnee County Reentry Program (SCRP), we now have the opportunity to help make our communities safer by improving offenders? chances of a successful return home.

Volunteers who provide mentoring are instrumental in providing guidance and support. The mentoring relationship will begin with weekly visits while the participant has 6 months left of his/her sentence left to serve. The formal relationship will continue a minimum of 6 months after release.