C3S1: A Question of Trust

As we’ve shared throughout this guide, many of the same methods and practices you use when hiring traditional employees still apply to hiring someone who has spent time in prison. Others won’t. The same is true when evaluating whether or not to offer a job to your mentee.

Your evaluation will likely include asking yourself: Does this person have the necessary skills for this job? If they don’t, can they be trained? Do I think they’ll be a good fit in our company’s culture? Will they embody our company values? These types of questions are as basic as they are essential, however before you ask any of them, we recommend taking the time to ask yourself this: do I trust this person?

The Trust Indicator

Whether it’s in a marriage, a friendship, or a professional relationship, trust is a profound indicator of relational health, effectiveness, and satisfaction. It’s why a distinguishing part of The Redemption Project’s process is the extensive in-prison mentorship that you’re learning about right now. We believe that the more trust a Mentee can build with you and you with them while in prison, the greater likelihood of long-term success, for both parties, when out.

Your answer to “Do I trust this person?” may be the single most important question you ask yourself during this process. It will inform, if not answer, many of the other questions you may have about the hiring of your Mentee. Remember, even though trust can often be a personal, “gut feeling”, you’re not alone in figuring it out. We’re here to support and consult with you throughout your evaluation and will be checking in periodically to see how it’s going.

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