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; or, Please proceed to the test! Thanks for volunteering with the IDOC! Good luck! Staff Development Emergency Operations