Caroline, a veteran volunteer of 17 years with The Prison Phoenix Trust (PPT), has indited more than 3,000 letters to inmates seeking help.
Based in Summertown, Oxford, this charity utilizes meditation and yoga as means of prisoner rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
The charity has 31 volynteers which includes 15 mentors, Caroline who is a mentor, responds to prisoners who want to practise meditation or yoga in their cells.
Caroline explains: "When a letter comes in, I look upon each one as individual and special.
"There’s a way of reading between the lines to understand what’s going on for the person.
She also stresses the significance of her correspondence, being a support figure, and not an authority figure.
She has said: "I’m happy to offer a listening ear.
"I’m not critical or condemning – I’m here to listen and support."
Sometimes a prisoner might only need one letter, but on some occasions, the exchanging of letters can go on for more than a decade.
Caroline has said: "Most of the prisoners I write to are men and at first they might think yoga and meditation aren’t very macho, but then they try it, and they are surprised how challenging and hard it is - and how beneficial to them."
Lisa, a prior PPT beneficiary during her imprisonment for drug offences, maintains that Caroline's support and PPT's resources were invaluable in her rehabilitation.
She has said: "Getting the CDs and books from The PPT, which I still have today, was really, really important to me.
"I had the space in my life to be able to yoga and meditation on my own in my own cell. It got me back in touch with myself."
Similarly, ex-prisoner Paul credits the PPT correspondence for giving him the strength to deal with his inner fears and emotions.
However, the role of a mentor is delicate, as it often involves dealing with prisoners who have had a history of deprivation and trauma.
Caroline, a mother and a grandmother herself, said: "It can be very challenging when someone writes about the difficulties they’ve faced in life; the stories from their childhood or family situations that are tough.
"Prison life can also be very hard to cope with."
PPT Director Selina Sasse said: "Caroline is a wonderful member of our team of dedicated volunteers.
"Every week, she brings wisdom and compassion to people who want help to change, and in doing so she helps to make our community safer."
With her enticing recommendation for volunteering, Caroline says "I would recommend volunteering 100 per cent.
"There’s enormous support for the role I have.
"It’s challenging as well as rewarding.
"You feel really appreciated and that you’re contributing."
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