Volunteering in Corrections

1. Volunteeringin Corrections “The Do’s & Don’ts” Staff Development Emergency Operations

2. Performance Objectives • Participants will identify 6 “Do’s” of • volunteering • Participants will identify 6 “Don’ts” of • volunteering

3. “Do”… • Be present and on time for every commitment • you make. Notify the Community Involvement • Office in advance if unable to follow through on • commitment. • Live up to the responsibility of your volunteer role. • Be honest and genuine at all times. • Be firm and maintain a polite, courteous attitude.

4. “Do”… • Be optimistic, but do not encourage unrealistic • goals or critical attitudes. • Respect confidential aspects of your assignment • and the dignity/privacy of offenders/students. • Respect cultural, ethnic, religious and personal • differences of offenders and other volunteers. • Be flexible, make allowances for offender’s and • student’s abilities.

5. “Do”… • Report to staff any unusual actions, behaviors, or • violation of any regulations that you observe. • Leave personal items locked in your vehicle, and • bring your identification and keys. • Stay with your group or staff escort while moving • on grounds. Go directly to the area where you will • be volunteering. • Remember that being a volunteer is not the same • as being a “friend” to an offender or student.

6. “Do”… • Allow offenders/students to shake your hand as a • greeting, as a congratulatory gesture, or to hold • hand during prayer. • Inform your Community Involvement Coordinator • or Group Leader if you are arrested for, charged • with, or convicted of any crime or misdemeanor • except minor traffic violations. • Be part of the Correctional Team, accept supervision • and training. Your cooperation is vital. • Show empathy toward offenders/students, not • sympathy.

7. “Do”… • Inform the Superintendent (in writing) if you have a • friend or relative who becomes incarcerated within • the Department of Correction. • Feel you can consult with staff on any problems • which may arise concerning your services. • Familiarize yourself with the rules of your • Volunteering Training and Reference Guide.

8. “Don’ts”… • Don’t argue with staff or an offender/student • about anything. If a problem should arise, • consult with the Community Involvement • Coordinator and your Group Leader. • Don’t show partiality or favoritism toward one • offender/student or group over another. • Don’t become involved in religious proselytism. • Don’t accept any personal gift or favor from an • offender/student or an offender’s/student’s • family members or friends.

9. “Don’ts”… • Don’t promise to do any favors, make any telephone • calls, or make any community contacts for any • offender/student unless authorized by the facility. • Don’t discuss topics regarding prison conditions, • policies, prison reform, or any controversial subject • matter pertaining to corrections with offenders. • Don’t exhibit surprise at what you see or hear. • Don’t discuss an offender’s/student’s commitment • to the Department of Correction.

10. “Don’t”… • Don’t purchase anything for offenders/students, • send them money, or carry/deliver messages. • Don’t become emotionally involved with an • offender/student. Immediately inform the • Community Involvement Coordinator if you • suspect an offender/student has become • emotionally attached to you. • Don’t bring medication into the facility without • proper authorization of the Community • Involvement Coordinator and your Group Leader. • Don’t give offenders/students legal advice unless • you are an approved legal volunteer.

11. You have completed the module on “The Do’s and Don’ts” of Volunteering. Congratulations! If you have any questions, please review the module again. Thanks for volunteering with the IDOC! Good luck! Staff Development Emergency Operations