Volunteers

RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS The concept of team ministry, involving Chaplains, ordained religious, and laypersons, is affirmed. It is necessary for volunteers to network, share, and support one another in order to provide an effective and high quality Catholic ministerial presence.

  • We recruit volunteers and welcome local parish involvement.
  • We participate and provide training for new volunteers. We also look for and provide opportunities for ongoing training of advanced volunteers.
  • Volunteers participating in training programs gain a basic knowledge of the following subjects based on the standards of American Correctional Association and the Federal Bureau of Prisons

 

    • the historical connection between religion and corrections
    • the American Criminal Justice System, the philosophies of corrections and sentencing rationales (including individuals and groups of influence)
    • the current status of religion in jails and prisons, and the benefits for correctional officers and staff
    • the role and mission of jails and prisons
    • volunteer ministry professionalism
    • depression and suicide awareness
    • what is contraband
    • personal safety and emergency signals
    • basic ministry support materials and resources
    • special requirements for juvenile facility volunteers ~ “Virtus”-Protecting God’s Children ~

 

  • We attend to the development of the personal and pastoral needs of volunteers.
  • We assist volunteers to fulfill their primary duties and responsibilities.
  • We facilitate the creation of a viable community so that volunteers feel appreciated and supported as full partners in ministry.
  • We maintain records of volunteers and take responsibility to monitor that they are meeting requirements for training.
  • We actively recruit persons of diverse races and cultures
  • We respect all spiritualities and faith groups and minister collaboratively with other Chaplains in the institution.
  • We work to ensure full participation (i.e., Chaplains, volunteers, and inmates), in all events and celebrations.
  • We confront all forms of racial and cultural discrimination.
  • We confront religious prejudice.
  • We are aware of the racial tensions, which exist in correctional facilities and make every effort to foster peace and reconciliation. We do not limit pastoral visits to persons of one race or culture.