Your first priority as a mentor is to develop open communication with your mentee. You need not reveal information that makes you uncomfortable and you need to tell him the reason rather than lie or mislead.

It is important that you and your mentee learn to trust each other.

You will need to review life’s issues with him. The prison environment is artificial and it is easy for him to simply avoid painful issues that must be resolved.

As you get to know each other you will discover individual needs, gifts, likes, and dislikes.

Finally, you will need to help him set realistic goals based on the information he has shared and the trust that you have for each other.

You do not need to reveal the school your children attend or your home phone number to establish a productive relationship with a mentee.