Background: In contemporary Denmark the difference between rehabilitative punishments and offender rehabilitation is a reoccurring subject. Different approaches occur to be favorable, one in which offender rehabilitation can be improved with the contributions of mentoring programs. A solution offering inmates support in the transition from prison when reentering society. However, some of the inmates choosing to participate in a mentoring program disrupt from the programs. Purpose: The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to explore and contribute to the understanding of the reasons of interrupting mentoring programs and how these findings can contribute to improve future mentoring programs. Theoretical framework: Flemming Balvig’s understanding of “the hand” is used as the synthesis gathering the different rehabilitation aims within the chosen theory. Concretely using emotional perspectives to explain the barriers occurring around the time of interruption in the mentoring programs. Methodology: this thesis is based on a methodological triangulation, as the volunteer mentoring program in the Red Cross, Primus Motor, has contributed with data from 30 participants, whom has interrupted in their participation in the program. This contributes to the primary documents leading to cases, further empirical data has been collected through interviews with inmates or released inmates and ethnographical observations has been generated through the Primus Motor as an intern. The approach in the thesis is data driven with an explorative approach. Findings: the empirical data suggests how interrupted mentoring plans can be systemized through explaining which feelings the mentees can be interpreted to have. These being frustration, disappointment, shame and anger. The emotional perspectives can provide a greater understanding of, why a mentee responds as he does, contributing to understanding the difficulties of the transition from prison to interact within society. Conclusion: This thesis concludes on a micro level how mentoring programs can contribute with a greater understanding for mentors of which emotions mentees experience, when trying to reenter society. On a macro level this thesis concludes, the society as having a responsibility of providing the grounds of a sustainable transition from incarceration.

Key words: mentoring program, offender rehabilitation, reentry, emotional criminology