The Wise Group is to expand its successful nationwide New Routes mentoring programme, removing the upper age limit of 25 to allow access for all males serving a short term prison sentence.
The expansion comes following a temporary suspension of the Through Care Support provided by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) which was announced in July due to operational reasons.
New Routes – a Public Social Partnership led by the Wise Group with third sector partners Sacro, Apex, Turning Point Scotland, Scottish Association for Mental Health, and Families Outside – is the largest justice mentoring programme in Scotland, having provided long-term mentoring and guidance to nearly 4,000 males over the last six years. New Routes provides wraparound support, guidance, and advocacy for up to 12 months, empowering people to believe in a life outside of prison.
Sean Duffy, Chief Executive at the Wise Group, said:
“New Routes has already had national success, proving to reduce reoffending among 18 – 25 year old males. Just 9.7% of young men on New Routes return to prison within a year of completing their mentoring journey, compared to a national reoffending rate of 34%.
“As the Scottish justice system faces a significant national challenge, we know that expanding our proven, evidence-led mentoring service will support the Scottish Government’s smart justice agenda and support a move to more out and fewer in prison.“
The Wise Group, alongside their valued partners, can now provide this expert mentoring service to so many others with the removal of the 25 year old age limit.
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