Missouri Department of Corrections   Matt Blunt, Governor   Larry Crawford, Director

2729 Plaza Drive P.O. Box 236 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: 573-751-2389 TTD: 573-751-5984 Fax: 573-751-4099

Volunteers are utilized throughout the department and recognized as non-salaried employees. They are recruited to augment institutional and community services for offenders. Volunteers are required to complete an extensive training regimen before assignment and are supervised under state and departmental personnel rules and regulations. Volunteers work directly with inmates and offenders in the community under the supervision of correctional staff. This section coordinates volunteer training and assignment and monitors student internship programs. This unit is also responsible for implementing and monitoring special events and programs.

Below, is a general list of service needs at most Correctional Centers:

Literacy Tutors - Approximately 38% of our clients have less than a high school education. Many are functionally illiterate. They cannot read the bible verses left for them and must "pay" another inmate to read it to them by giving them cigarettes or food items.

Story Link - This is a program where volunteers come in and help clients read children's stories into a tape recorder. The tape and book are sent home to the child so that they can hear their father or mother's voice reading them a story. This helps maintain a bond. Most inmates have never had someone read to them when they were young. This helps them see what some parents do with their children on the outside.

Volunteer Visitor - As many as 30% of inmates in some of our prisons do not receive a visit. They have no contact with someone from outside prison. Human contact is very important, even if for a few hours, once a month. This takes little skill, just a lot of compassion.

Parenting - We need people who can help the inmates become better fathers or mothers. Most had no positive role model in their life, and have few tools to do a good job as a parent. Thus, their child continues the intergenerational cycle of incarcertion and ends up in prison, like the parent. We have parenting programs available to teach; we just need the teachers.

Restorative Justice - all of our prisons have a program where inmates can reflect on the harm they have caused to their victim(s), family and the community. They also have a chance to repay something back to society by making products donated to community organizations. Toy boxes to daycare centers, lap robes to Nursing Homes, and other worthwhile projects. We also need people with craft experience to help supervise this work and to talk with the clients on how crime affects them and their community.

RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL VOLUNTEERS

Faith Group Worship and Study Group Leaders - Individuals and groups from a specific religious tradition who lead worship and/or group study.

Spiritual Counseling - Individuals who come in for specified hours during the week to counsel with inmates who have requested counseling regarding religious/spiritual issues, family concerns, etc.

Administrative-Secretarial - Individuals who assist the Chaplain with administrative duties, some of which is confidential and cannot be performed by inmate clerks.

Segregation Visitation - Making periodic visits to inmates confined to Administrative or Disciplinary Segregation, proving reading materials and other assistance as requested.

Infirmary Visitation - Visiting with inmates who are confined to the medical unit due to health concerns. This might include hospice patients in institutions with hospice units.

Greeting Card Pick-Up and Distribution - Assisting the Chaplain in picking up and distributing greeting cards (Birthday, Mother's Day/Father's Day, Christmas, etc.) donated to the inmate population by greeting card companies. This helps inmates stay in touch with families.

Community/Faith-Based After-Care Programs - Assisting inmates in preparing for release and successful transition back to free society.

These are just a few of the areas of needs where you or your organization might help. We have more than 28,000 men and 2,000 women in Missouri correctional centers today. We receive an additional three-plus new inmates into our system each and every day or approximately 1,000 new inmates each year. So, you can see how we need your help to stop this cycle, assist inmates return to society, and help the children of incarcerated men and women live full and productive lives. For more information, you can contact the nearest correctional center's Institutional Activity Coordinator or you may fill out a Volunteer/Intern Application and submit it to the Institution or Probation & Parole Office that you want to serve. Thank you.

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