Volunteer Information from TDCJ

Volunteer Opportunities

The role of the volunteer within TDCJ is to provide guidance in specific activities and programs, promote personal growth and development, provide support and assistance to victims and offenders, and help facilitate re-entry into the community. If you are interested in becoming an approved volunteer within TDCJ, you are encouraged to attend a 4-hour volunteer training session at one of the following facilities:

• June - August Volunteer Training Schedule

YOU DO NOT NEED A LETTER TO ATTEND & THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE TRAINING.  YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE FACILITY TO HAVE YOUR NAME PLACED ON THE TRAINING ROSTER BEFORE ATTENDING THE TRAINING SESSION. Completion of training is not a guarantee of approval; all applications include a criminal background check and are reviewed for eligibility according to the following criteria:

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must not have any pending criminal charges.
• Must have been released from an adult correctional facility for at least 18 months.
• If you are on any type of adult supervision, you will be required to provide a letter from your supervising officer stating they are aware you are wishing to become a volunteer for the TDCJ.
• Must be 18-months from the disposition date of any criminal charge (excluding traffic tickets).

If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility, you are encouraged to contact Volunteer Services at 936-437-3026. Volunteer applications, available below, will be provided at the training; however you may also choose to bring a completed application with you. (The online Volunteer Application is down for maintenance.)

If unable to attend a volunteer training session, you may either: 1) download the application, complete it electronically (on-screen), print, then send by fax or 2) download and print the application, complete it by hand, then send by postal mail. Both fax number and postal address are inside the forms below:

• Volunteer Application (English) - PDF
• Volunteer Application (Spanish) - PDF

You are required to contact the facility prior to the training to verify no schedule changes have occurred and to ensure you are on the Volunteer Training Roster. Please wear proper attire. You DO NOT need a letter from Volunteer Services to attend this training. Attending this training does not guarantee you will be approved. If you are concerned about your eligibility you are encouraged to contact Volunteer Services prior to attending. What to Bring: driver’s license, pen, completed Volunteer application For additional information regarding the TDCJ Volunteer Program contact Volunteer Services at 936-437-3026

ABILENE, TEXAS Middleton Transfer Facility Visitation Room 13055 FM 3522 Abilene, TX 79601 (325) 548-9075

08/23/14 1:00pm – 5:00pm

11/15/14 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Robertson Unit

Unit Chapel

12071 FM 3522

Abilene, TX 79601

(325) 548-9035

10/25/14 1:00pm – 5:00pm

AMARILLO, TEXAS

Clements Unit

9601 Spur 591

Amarillo, TX 79107-9606

(806) 381-7081

12/04/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Neal Unit

9055 Spur 91

Amarillo, TX 79107

(806) 383-1175

08/19/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Bishop Defalco Retreat Ctr.

2100 N. Spring

Amarillo, TX 79107

(806) 383-1811

10/09/14 10:00am – 2:00pm

11/15/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

Trinity Fellowship Church, Amarillo

5000 Hollywood Rd.

Amarillo, TX 79118

(806) 381-7080

09/13/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

First Baptist Church, Amarillo

1208 Tyler St.

Amarillo, TX 79101

(806) 381-7080

10/25/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Travis Co. State Jail

8101 FM 969

Austin, TX 78724

(512) 926-4482

10/23/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Catholic Diocese of Austin

Pastoral Center

6225 E. Hwy 290 (South Access Rd)

Austin, TX 78723

Doots Dufore (512) 949-2462

09/26/14 8:00 – 12:00

BEAUMONT, TEXAS

LeBlanc Facility

3695 FM 3514

Beaumont, TX 77705

(409) 724-1515

08/16/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

11/01/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

Stiles Unit

3060 FM 3514

Beaumont, TX 77705

(409) 722-5255

10/11/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

BEEVILLE, TEXAS

Garza East

4304 Highway 202

Beeville, TX 78102

(361) 358-9880

11/19/14 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Garza West

4250 Highway 202

Beeville, TX 78102

(361) 358-9890

09/17/14 1:00pm – 5:00pm

McConnell Unit

3001 S. Emily Drive

Beeville, TX 78102

(361) 362-2300

07/25/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

10/24/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

BONHAM, TEXAS

Cole State Jail

3801 Silo Rd.

Bonham, TX 75418

(903) 583-1100

09/13/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

12/06/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

BRAZORIA, TEXAS

Clemens Unit

11034 Hwy 36

Brazoria, TX 77422

(979) 798-2188

10/18/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

BRECKENRIDGE, TEXAS

Sayle - SAFPF

4176 FM 1800

Breckenridge, TX 76424

(254) 559-1581

10/11/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS

Bridgeport Pre-Parole Facility

4000 North 10th St.

Bridgeport, TX 76426

(940) 683-3010

10/25/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

BROWNWOOD, TEXAS

Havins SAFPF

500 FM 45 East

Brownwood, TX 76804

(325) 643-5575

11/08/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

BRYAN, TEXAS

Hamilton Unit

PRTC Bldg. Room 119

200 Lee Morrison Lane

Bryan, TX 77807

(979) 779-1633

08/02/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

11/01/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

BURNET, TEXAS

Halbert SAFPF

800 Ellen Halbert Drive

Burnet, TX 78611-0923

(512) 756-6171

08/19/14 10:00am – 2:00pm

11/11/14 10:00am – 2:00pm

CHILDRESS, TEXAS

Roach Unit

15845 FM 164

Childress, TX 79201

(940) 937-6364

09/10/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

CLEVELAND, TEXAS

Cleveland Correctional Center

901 East 5th St.

Cleveland, TX 77328

(281-592-9559

10/17/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

COTULLA, TEXAS

Cotulla Trans. Facility

610 FM 624

Cotulla, TX 78014

(830) 879-3077

08/08/14 5:00pm – 9:00pm

CUERO, TEXAS

Stevenson Unit

1525 FM 766

Cuero, TX 77954

(361) 275-2075

09/20/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

DALHART, TEXAS

Dalhart Unit

FM 998

Dalhart, TX 79022

(806) 249-8655

10/21/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

DALLAS, TEXAS

Hutchins State Jail

1500 East Langdon Rd.

Dallas, TX 75241

(972) 225-1304

09/09/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

11/04/14 6:00pm – 10:00pm

New Mt. Gilead Church

1804 N. Beckley Ave

Dallas, TX 75203

Contact Madean Locke

(214) 381-8303

08/23/2014 9:30am – 1:30pm

DAYTON, TEXAS

Plane State Jail

904 FM 686

Dayton, TX 77535

(936) 258-2476

08/09/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

09/13/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

10/11/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

11/08/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

12/13/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

DIBOLL, TEXAS

Duncan Transfer Facility

1502 South First St.

Diboll, TX 75941

(936) 829-2616

10/18/14 9:00am – 1:30pm

DICKINSON, TEXAS

Carol Young Medical Facility

5509 Attwater Avenue

Dickinson, TX 77539

(409) 948-0001

10/11/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

DILLEY, TEXAS

Briscoe Unit

1459 W. Hwy 85

Dilley, TX 78017-9722

(830) 965-4444

08/15/14 10:00am – 2:00pm

11/08/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

EDINBURG, TEXAS

Lopez State Jail /Segovia Unit

1203 El Cibolo Rd.

Edinburg, TX 78539

(956) 316-3810

09/13/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

12/13/14 9:00am – 1:00pm

*All training will be at Lopez

EL PASO, TEXAS

Sanchez State Jail

3901 State Jail Road

El Paso, TX 79938

(915) 856-0046

09/09/14 1:00pm – 5:00pm

12/6/14 8:00am – 12:00pm

TDCJ Volunteer Services Newsletter - August. Good News Inside!

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Volunteer Services <TDCJ.VS@public.govdelivery.com>	3:54 PM (19 minutes ago)
to me

Volunteer Services Newsletter August 2014 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) It is a felony offense and the TDCJ is required by law to report to the proper authorities if anyone at a TDCJ facility, including a volunteer, engages in sexual contact or sexual intercourse with a person in custody.  A volunteer with knowledge of any misconduct, either by personal detection or being confided in by an offender or who witnesses any such misconduct is required to report the misconduct immediately to one or more of the following:  facility staff, administrator, warden, the appropriate departmental authority, TDCJ Volunteer Services Department, Office of Inspector General - Investigations Division in Huntsville, TX at 866-372-8329; or the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Ombudsman Office in Huntsville, TX.  The TDCJ has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct. If an offender reports to you that he/she was assaulted sexually, you are required to; 1.  Request the alleged victim not take any actions that could destroy evidence such as use the restroom, take a shower, change clothing or eat/drink 2.  Notify staff immediately Volunteers Are An Essential Element in the Rehabilitation and Re-Entry of Offenders The Texas Department of Criminal Justice places a significant focus on Volunteer Services, realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. Volunteers assist in providing various types of programs such as literacy and educational assistance, life skills, job skills, and parenting classes.  Volunteers facilitate medical education and prevention training as well as arts and crafts, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, faith-based programming, and other programs determined by the TDCJ to aid in the transition between confinement and society.  The following areas provide volunteer services to offenders: Rehabilitation Programs Division (Chaplaincy Department, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, and Sex Offender Program) Reentry and Integration Division Correctional Institutions Division Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division Parole Division Victim Services Division Health Services Windham School District Click here for more information about becoming a TDCJ approved volunteer. Michael Cady - An Ex-Offender Called to Serve as a Missionary in Peru Michael Cady spent 4 years in the TDCJ for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.  He is a graduate from the InnerChange Freedom Initiative Program (IFI) at the Carol Vance Unit, located in Richmond, Texas and will soon obtain an Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies.  "Since my release, I have had the privilege of serving abroad on short-term missions in Mexico, New Mexico, Peru and South America.  I have been called by God to spend 1-2 years in Huanuco, Peru. There, I will be doing physical labor by assisting in the building of a school for children of abusive and difficult backgrounds and doing evangelism and discipleship primarily for the youth and men in the area."  Michael released to the Calvary Commission in July 2012 and has since completed his third year.  "I have devoted my life to pursuing the will of God, wherever He leads me.  My hope is that my testimony will compel you to pray for those incarcerated and to inspire people to become involved in advancing the Kingdom of God."  Read more about the Calvary Commission After-Prison Initiative... Personal Finance Program "What I Learned About Life When My Husband Got Fired" is a personal finance book co-authored by two sisters named Tina "Red" Pennington and Mandy "Black" Williams.  The book is an engaging compilation of instant messages, emails and conversations between the sisters during a time in which one sister was experiencing a difficult time in life.  A pilot program conducted by a unit chaplain was recently completed using the book as the main teaching source.  "I always thought money was everything, now I know life is more important than money," said one participant after completion of the program.  The "Red and Black: Personal & Life 101" program was piloted at the Stringfellow Unit located in Rosharon, Texas.  The program covers topics ranging from personal finance, how to handle stress, relationships, personal values and priorities.  The book, once proposed as the basis for a television sitcom, teaches personal finances while keeping participants laughing.  The participants enjoy applying the sister's teaching to their own struggles in life.  "If I had this information earlier, I'd be sitting on top of the world.  [I would have] more time with my kids, going to school, [and] not throwing away money, [I'd have] been there for my wife, [and] been a better man all around," states one participant. The Plane State Jail is seeking volunteers to facilitate the program for offenders in the "Our Roadway to Freedom Program".  If you are interested in facilitating this program at the Plane State Jail in Dayton, Texas contact "Red" or Chaplain Rutledge to discuss the details. Click here to watch a video and for additional information on the Red & Black prison program. Volunteers Needed to Work With Offenders With Development Disabilities The TDCJ is seeking volunteers in Art Therapy to work with special needs offenders housed at the Jester IV Unit in Richmond, Texas and the Crain Unit in Gatesville, Texas.  If you have experience working with adults with developmental disabilities and want to hear more about how to become involved, please contact TDCJ Volunteer Services.  You are encouraged to suggest other creative programs for this type of population. Additional volunteer program opportunities include; Pet Therapy Organized Sports Activities Music Therapy Email us at:  volunteerservices@tdcj.texas.gov Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Texas Department of Criminal Justice Volunteer Services.

Have I Underestimated Posters, Placemats, and the Prayer Chain?

The many times I have been inside a prison I have been struck by the bland, boring, colorless environment.  When we cover the walls with posters, string up a multi-colored prayer chain, and placemats, the stage is set for radical change.  We know that it isn't so much what we have to say that counts (listen-listen).  Perhaps these decorations speak louder than words as well.

Watch the TED talk.  I am encouraged that so much new attention is being paid to the incarcerated.

Report: Connally Kairos Family Reunion

Ever wonder what it is like inside a maximum security prison?  If every day was like today in the chapel at the Connally Unit, you would have to have a reservation to get in.  The music was fantastic, with a praise band of drums, base guitar, lead guitar, keyboard, and violin.  Daryl, who will lead Kairos 24 (November 6-9), stepped in to play with the band and performed a few of his compositions.  The leadership was artfully provided by a brother in white.  Prayer and share time followed the proscription. The free world team ate lunch in the Officers Dining Room while the participants ate johnnies in the chapel. The two servers in the ODR were both Kairos graduates, unable to attend because of their work schedules.  There was testimony, a few words from the chaplain, count and re-count.  The officer with us has been assigned to Kairos events for some years, and took good care of the 15 of us and 65 brothers in white.

I was able to do some coordinating with the chaplain and his assistants about plans for Kairos 24.  I found out just how much the prayer and share community inside cares about Kairos, and how passionate they are about facilitating the growth of the Christian community inside.

I am humbled to be among such people. I saw a lot of old friends from past Kairos weekends.  I can't show you pictures, or tell you names, or stories; I can say it was an awesome day.  I heard, over and over again, from the brothers in white, how lucky they are to be incarcerated in the Connally Unit.

First team meeting for K 24 is September 13th at University UMC, San Antonio.

"Help us to love each other, as you have loved us, so that the kingdom of God might be made present to all."

Family Reunion

There are 15 guys signed up to go in Connally on Saturday, August 16th, from 10-3 for a family reunion.  Our reunion activity has been limited by staff shortages, but it looks like we will be able to expand our program to include reunions and retreats in addition to weekly prayer and share and bi-annual Kairos weekends.

Of course we aren't family in the blood relative sense of the word; we are family in the Word.  Our role is to facilitate the growth of the Christian community in prisons.  Most of what happens with the Christian community inside Connally is in the hands of the chaplains and the brothers in white, and they are dedicated in this mission. 

This is our prayer:

Jesus, come join us
 in our journey
 as we seek your will
 for this community
 in this environment

Teach us to love each other
 as you love us
 to give ourselves
 as you give yourself
 that the kingdom of God
 might be made present to all.

Amen

Connally Kairos Schedule for 2014

This is our schedule at present:

August 16th - Reunion 10 AM to 3 PM at Connally

September 13 - Team Meeting at University UMC San Antonio

September 27 - Team Meeting at University UMC San Antonio

October 11 - Team Meeting at University UMC San Antonio

October 25 - Team Meeting at University UMC San Antonio

November 1 - Team Meeting at Karnes City UMC Karnes City

November 6-9  Kairos 24.  Daryl Watson, Leader, Connally Unit

November 15 - Instructional Reunion for Kairos 24 graduates, Connally Unit

Plan to come to all team meetings - team spiritual formation is important. 

The KISS Principle

We are going to try using this blog as a vehicle for reaching people involved with our interested in the Connally Kairos Team.  Our silent partner in the ministry for website management has been faithful in updating our information, but it is a bit awkward. 

We welcome your comments.  We may not have a lot of photos, as we do not take photos inside the prison except for one group picture, and we do not post those on the internet.  We do not talk about specific inmates in the program and stories from inside the walls are very limited.

Come see for yourself.  It is a journey like no other.