Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Mr. Cintron

Mr. Cintron is pretty much the only adult who believes in Reese more or less consistently. He chooses Reese to be the first participant in his facility's pilot work program—a huge show of faith. He gets frustrated with Reese sometimes for making bad choices (who wouldn't?), but ultimately he gives the inmate a second (and third…) chance and tries to provide helpful advice along the way.

Mr. Hooft

Mr. Hooft isn't exactly a mentor in the traditional sense of the word—when he first meets Reese, he's flat-out antagonistic—but over time, that meanness turns into friendly teasing, which eventually gives way to encouragement. "You should always try to be a good boy," he tells Reese at one point. "It's better that way. Then you won't be in jail. You going to try?" (31.5) In Reese's world, this is the verbal equivalent of a bear hug.