Getting Started
Ready to become a mentor? Read more about the program and apply to become a volunteer/ mentor. Persons interested in volunteering, including formerly incarcerated persons, are encouraged to contact us so we can discuss your interests and your options. Please be as detailed as possible about the unique skills you possess and include a contact phone number and list the correctional facilities where you’d like to volunteer. In every circumstance, approval of a request to volunteer rests with the Warden at the facility.
Qualifications
Due to the unique environment that a correctional facility presents, volunteers are carefully screened and provided training and guidance to make it the most productive and enjoyable experience as possible.
- At least 18 years old
- Not under Department supervision or the supervision of any other correctional system or program or on probation
- Not immediate family member of an offender where personal contact cannot be avoided
- Provision of references on request
- Maturity and ability to handle volunteer responsibilities
- Willingness to accept supervision and direction
- Willingness to submit to a Tuberculosis screening
- Willingness to provide an identified and approved service
- Ability to meet attendance and performance requirements
- Willingness to meet and complete all training requirements
- Ability to complement the work of staff
- Agreement to work without compensation
- Ability to accept differences in people, namely culture, race, religion, and values
- Willingness to undergo a criminal history check
Services
- Education - Volunteers serve as tutors teaching offenders basic reading and writing skills.
- Mentoring - Volunteers serve as role models by mentoring offenders
- Pre–Release Preparation - Volunteers facilitate programs and connect them to community resources
- Religious Programs - Volunteers serve as leaders of worship services, study groups and instructional classes. They also participate in religious celebrations.
- Seminars - Volunteers serve as instructors who teach a variety of classes on how to cope with incarceration and how to effectively re–enter into one’s community. For example, topics include anger management, job interviewing skills, parenting skills, etc.
- Substance Abuse - Volunteers serve as sponsors of Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups that help offenders cope with addiction.
How to Apply
- Determine the facility you’d like to volunteer at
- Complete the Volunteer Interest Inquiry Form
Next Steps
- Contact the Religious and/or Volunteer Division to schedule a time to discuss how you'd like to volunteer
- Attend New Volunteer Orientation and successfully complete all required training and paperwork.
- Coordinator your schedule with the Community Involvement Coordinator.
Volunteer FAQs
- Is volunteering safe?
Is volunteering safe?
The safety of the community, our staff, the volunteers, and those that are incarcerated, is our number one concern. The feedback we receive from our volunteers is overwhelmingly positive, praising how respectful, appreciative, and welcoming everyone treats them. While there will always be an inherit risk when you enter a correctional facility, the Department installs policies and procedures to mitigate that risk. It is everyone's responsibility to follow those rules to ensure the safest and most rewarding experience possible for our volunteers.
- How can I help?
How can I help?
There are numerous opportunities to volunteer with the Indiana Department of Correction. Below is a list of common categories and programs available at facilities throughout the state. For more information on how you can help, other ways to get involved, or if you have an idea for a new program, contact a specific facility or you can contact our Community Engagement Office.
- Mentoring – Research has demonstrated that mentoring can positively affect social, behavioral, and academic outcomes. The development of a trusting relationship that provides consistent, non-judgmental support and guidance greatly assists the re-entry process. Volunteers may serve as a mentor in a one-on-one or group setting.
- Family and Parenting Education – Various programming exists throughout the state to enhance the family and parenting relationship both during incarceration and in preparation for release. The programs encourage offenders to develop and maintain stronger ties with their families, which has a positive impact on recidivism. Volunteers are needed to facilitate programming.
- Re-Entry Programming – Re-Entry planning begins as soon as an individual is incarcerated. Facilities provide programming to address a variety of challenges to avoid the cycle of recidivism. Volunteers assist by facilitating programming involving financial literacy, life skills, character building, employment searching, and community resources.
- Religious Programming – We have a religiously diverse population, and volunteers are vital in providing faith-based services. The Department utilizes volunteers in several ways including leading services, facilitating programming, guiding studies and mentoring.
- Educational Programming – 34% percent of the Department’s adult population is functionally illiterate. Increasing educational attainment while incarcerated holds the promise of improved employment opportunities at better wages to help end the repetitive cycle of incarceration. Volunteers are always needed to provide tutoring and educational assistance.
- Veterans Affairs – The Indiana Department of Correction has taken significant action to support our military veterans who are incarcerated. From Veteran-specific housing units to American Legion Posts, to mentoring; there are many ways volunteers can help the Department support our veterans.
- Substance Abuse – Volunteers can assist with self-help and supportive programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery. These are available in all IDOC Facilities.
- Purposeful Living Units Serve (PLUS) – A faith and character-based community within the facility. The emphasis of this voluntary initiative focuses on strengthening spiritual moral and character development as well as life-skills. Volunteers are needed to provide mentoring to offenders and facilitate the classes.
- How do I decided which facility to volunteer at?
How do I decided which facility to volunteer at?
The best way to decide might be to determine which is closest to you. If you are going to be visiting the facility often, you'll want to make sure the commute is compatible with your schedule.
The next consideration is determining how you would like to volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering with youth, there are 3 facilities to choose from. If you are interested in volunteering with military veterans, we have some facilities with specialized units for them.
If you are interested in volunteering to help those being released soon, a level 1 facility might be the best fit for you. If you are interested in faith-based services, that can be done at any facility.
- Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?
Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?
Individuals who are formally justice-involved are sometimes the best examples of success. Applicants with a criminal history are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- How long does the background check take?
How long does the background check take?
The timeframe for a background check to be completed can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on several factors including the size of the facility. Please be patient for your application to be processed and feel free to reach out to the Community Engagement Coordinator for an update on the progress.
- What would my schedule look like?
What would my schedule look like?
It will depend on the program or service you provide. Most volunteer programs occur during the evenings and weekends, but some are available during the day. You will coordinate your schedule with the Community Engagement Coordinator at the facility where you volunteer. We work with our volunteers to make sure their service works best with their schedule and the schedule of the facility.
- Is there a dress code? Can I bring snacks?
Is there a dress code? Can I bring snacks?
New Volunteer Orientation will address questions like these.
- Do I need to volunteer with a group?
Do I need to volunteer with a group?
No. Although we encourage our volunteers to participate with a group or with friends, you are more than welcome to volunteer as an individual.
- Are there internships available?
Are there internships available?
Yes! Our facilities are like small cities with staff employed in a variety of areas from case management, custody, medical, food services, substance abuse & mental health treatment, community services, and much more! We welcome students from a wide variety of backgrounds to experience these fields inside a correctional facility. We encourage you to contact the specific facility that interests you for more information about internship opportunities.
- Mentoring – Research has demonstrated that mentoring can positively affect social, behavioral, and academic outcomes. The development of a trusting relationship that provides consistent, non-judgmental support and guidance greatly assists the re-entry process. Volunteers may serve as a mentor in a one-on-one or group setting.
- Family and Parenting Education – Various programming exists throughout the state to enhance the family and parenting relationship both during incarceration and in preparation for release. The programs encourage offenders to develop and maintain stronger ties with their families, which has a positive impact on recidivism. Volunteers are needed to facilitate programming.
- Re-Entry Programming – Re-Entry planning begins as soon as an individual is incarcerated. Facilities provide programming to address a variety of challenges to avoid the cycle of recidivism. Volunteers assist by facilitating programming involving financial literacy, life skills, character building, employment searching, and community resources.
- Religious Programming – We have a religiously diverse population, and volunteers are vital in providing faith-based services. The Department utilizes volunteers in several ways including leading services, facilitating programming, guiding studies and mentoring.
- Educational Programming – 34% percent of the Department’s adult population is functionally illiterate. Increasing educational attainment while incarcerated holds the promise of improved employment opportunities at better wages to help end the repetitive cycle of incarceration. Volunteers are always needed to provide tutoring and educational assistance.
- Veterans Affairs – The Indiana Department of Correction has taken significant action to support our military veterans who are incarcerated. From Veteran-specific housing units to American Legion Posts, to mentoring; there are many ways volunteers can help the Department support our veterans.
- Substance Abuse – Volunteers can assist with self-help and supportive programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery. These are available in all IDOC Facilities.
- Purposeful Living Units Serve (PLUS) – A faith and character-based community within the facility. The emphasis of this voluntary initiative focuses on strengthening spiritual moral and character development as well as life-skills. Volunteers are needed to provide mentoring to offenders and facilitate the classes.