21st Century Federal Prisons: Community Volunteer Handbook, Offender Transition Program Resource Manual (Jobs, Assistance), Legal Resource Guide to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Imprisonment
U.S. Government, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 Progressive Management
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CHAPTER 1: COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 2: OFFENDER TRANSITION PROGRAM RESOURCE MANUAL
CHAPTER 3: LEGAL RESOURCE GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
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CHAPTER 1: COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
Prepared by the Inmate Transition Branch * Federal Bureau of Prisons
Introduction
This handbook is designed to assist those who volunteer to provide services to offenders during their incarceration in federal correctional institutions. These institutions, all part of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), are located at over 100 locations throughout the United States, some in major metropolitan areas like New York and Chicago, and others in smaller communities like Manchester, KY, and Gilmer, WV.
Wherever they serve, volunteers can help to accomplish the BOP’s mission:
“It is the mission of the BOP to protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environment of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens.”
As of April 2006, over 190,000 offenders were serving time in federal custody. The Bureau operates institutions at five different security levels in order to confine offenders in an appropriate manner. Security levels are based on such features as the presence of external patrols, towers, security barriers, or detection devices; the type of housing within the institution; internal security features; and the staff-to-inmate ratio. Each facility is designated as either minimum, low, medium, high, or administrative.
The opportunities for volunteers to serve are both rewarding and varied, and can be designed to meet their personal qualifications and time schedules. However, they will need to meet the security and related requirements of the federal prison system.
This handbook will describe these requirements and help each volunteer meet them in a timely and efficient manner.
How To Become A Volunteer In The BOP
So you have considered becoming a volunteer with the BOP? As an agency, we provide many programs designed to help offenders redefine their goals , and consider the consequences of their actions upon themselves, their families, and their communities. Many of these programs focus on preparing offenders to re-enter society. Volunteers substantially assist offenders in achieving these goals. While performing valuable service, volunteers also serve as role models to inmates.
We offer opportunities to provide special programs on a one time basis, or for those who prefer a more extensive commitment, a volunteer can be trained and badged if he or she commits to four or more times per year. At the beginning of 2006, over 15,000 volunteers have been badged to enter our facilities four or more times per year. In many BOP facilities, college and university students volunteer in specialized fields to fulfill educational requirements. They engage in religious, educational, recreational, and many other activities that take place in the daily lives of inmates housed at these facilities. Volunteering is a rewarding experience which offers tremendous gratification to those who serve.
How To Become A Volunteer In The BOP
To become a volunteer in a Bureau facility requires a few initial steps. Each of these steps are designed to ensure the security and safety of each volunteer, staff and offender. It is important to realize that while the value of a volunteer’s service can be immeasurable, BOP volunteers do not receive pay.
Identify the correctional institution at which you would like to serve
See the listing provided at the end of this publication. It will help you decide where you may be able to volunteer. In addition to the contacts provided, you may obtain telephone numbers for each institution from the Bureau website, www.bop.gov.
Identify how you would like to volunteer.
See the information on Pages 13-14. These pages will offer examples of the services inmates need that you may be qualified and willing to provide in the institution.
Call the institution to talk to the volunteer coordinator.
Citizen volunteers serve in a variety of disciplines, to include Religious Services, Education, and Psychology, just to name a few. Discuss with the program manager what needs are present and what services you can provide for the program. Request an application.
Obtain and complete the “Application For Volunteer Service.”
The application allows the Bureau to assess your experience and to certify that you have been authorized to provide this service by your endorsing organization. To provide this assurance, you will be required to obtain a letter of endorsement from your church/religious or other organization/institution to support your authority and ability to provide this service.
SAMPLE
BP-S580.053 APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE CDFRM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
Thank you for offering your services as a volunteer within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Please read the following questions carefully and type or clearly print your answers to each before signing.
1. Name (Last, First, Initial)
2. Address (Including Street and Zip Code
3. Home Phone
Work Phone
4. Birth Date (MO,DAY,YR)
5. Gender
Male
Female
6. Birthplace (City, State, Country)
7. Former Names, if any
8. Social Security Number
9. Driver's License, Number and State
10. Height
Weight
Eye Color
Hair Color
11. Are you a citizen of the United States?
Yes
No
12. Race/Ethnicity (for statistical uses only, you need not reply)
African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
Hispanic American/Latino
Caucasian/European
Native American
13. Current Employer (Name, Address, and Telephone Number)
14. Sponsor Organization
15. Contact in case of emergency
(Name, Address and Telephone Number)
16. Have you ever been convicted of, or forfeited collateral for, any
felony violation
Yes
No
17. Have you ever been convicted of, or forfeited collateral for, any firearms or explosives violation?
Yes
No
18. Are you now under charges for any violation of law?
Yes
No
19. During the last 3 years have you forfeited collateral, been convicted, been imprisoned, been on probation or been on parole?
(Not to include 16, 17, and 18 above)
Yes
No
20. Have you ever been convicted by a military court-martial? If no military service, answer "no"
Yes
No
21. Do you have any medical condition or disability that may restrict your volunteer service?
Yes
No
If you respond "Yes" to questions 16 - 21, please attach a separate page to explain your response.
SIGNATURE, CERTIFICATION AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION
You must sign this application. Please read the following carefully before you sign.
* I understand that false statements on any part of my application may be grounds for not approving me as a volunteer or for dismissing me after I have begun my volunteer service.
* I understand any information I give may be investigated, as allowed by Law or Presidential Order.
* I consent to the release of information about my ability and fitness as a volunteer by employers, schools, law enforcement agencies and other individuals and organizations to investigators making inquiries on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons.
* I consent to the release information of my name to be used by the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons for volunteer related articles and awards. I understand that some of these documents will be published on the Internet.
* I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of my statements are true, correct, complete, and made in good faith.
* I understand as a volunteer I will not receive any financial reimbursement or compensation from the Federal Bureau of Prisons for my services, time or expenses.
Signature
Date
How To Become a Volunteer in the BOP
You must consent to and receive a favorable background investigation
There are several steps in achieving a background check. The first requirement is to provide authorization for the Bureau to perform a fingerprint check and a National Crime Information Center check, commonly referred to as an NCIC. Your authorization must be provided in advance to request this level of investigation. Without this authorization, the Bureau is not entitled to this information, nor can the agency accept your service.
NCIC is a computerized index of criminal justice information (i.e.- criminal record history information, fugitives, stolen properties, missing persons). It is available to Federal, state, and local law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies and is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The NCIC system provides a computerized database for ready access by a criminal justice agency and for prompt disclosure of information in the system from other criminal justice agencies.
All records in NCIC are protected from unauthorized access through appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. These safeguards include restricting access to those with a need to know to perform their official duties using locks, alarm devices, passwords, and/or encrypting data communications.
Completing the background check plays a crucial role to properly screen persons who desire to become volunteers. The NCIC check is supplemented by a fingerprint check which is requested through the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Once the NCIC is complete and the results of the fingerprint check have been received, a volunteer can begin service.
Four hours of orientation training and a condensed annual refresher course are provided
Training is essential to prepare volunteers to understand prison culture and their responsibilities. Training is conducted at each institution on a quarterly basis. Volunteer candidates are contacted by letter and informed of the next available training date and time. To be sensitive to work schedules, institution volunteer coordinators plan training sessions primarily on Saturdays or evenings, times which are traditionally regarded as off-duty hours.
Training is provided with others who have applied to serve as volunteers. It is conducted under the supervision or guidance of a staff volunteer coordinator and supported by other staff who provide specialized information about their particular discipline.
Upon completion, volunteers are asked to sign documentation to certify their receipt of service requirements, training provided, and to certify their willingness to comply with appropriate rules.
A badge will be provided
Upon completion of the training program and acceptable background check, a badge will be provided which authorizes access into the prison. Depending upon the security level of the prison (prison camp, low security, medium security, or high security [penitentiary]), escorted access, even with a badge, may be required.
The badge will be maintained by institution staff who will reissue it at the time of each visit. Prior to departure from the institution, the badge must be surrendered to officers in the institution’s reception/Control Center.
At all times during volunteer service, the environment and presence of staff will be one in which safety is of utmost concern.
Prepare to serve
In order to be a badged (Level Two) volunteer with the BOP, you must commit to provide service at least four times within a calendar year. Level One volunteers, those who enter fewer than four times per year, are not required to have badges. Volunteers are highly anticipated by the inmates and they simulate the contact inmates will have with their communities.
BOP Program Statement 5300.20, containing key information about the volunteer and citizen participation program, can be found on website www.bop.gov and is referred to as Volunteer and Citizen Participation Program Manual.
Volunteers can help inmates consider some of the issues they will encounter upon release. This can be a valuable asset. Many volunteers have served the agency many years, even as many as 25 or more in some locations. Miraculously, citizen volunteers have served despite adverse weather and travel conditions, many without absence and many having to drive substantial distances. Their tireless commitment to offer information and training to offenders is invaluable, and without their time, would not be available to inmate populations.
At the time of this publication, the average hourly value of volunteerism in the United States was $18.05 per hour (1). Over the many years, volunteers contributed countless dollars worth of service to assist inmates to reestablish themselves as law-abiding citizens.
(1) Independent Sector
Grounds for termination
Upon occasion, it may become necessary to terminate the service of a volunteer or volunteers, or they may elect to do so themselves. If termination is not elective, the institution will provide a reason, in writing, why services have been terminated. Volunteers may appeal in accordance with procedures outlined in BOP Program Statement 5300.20.
Volunteer services may be terminated if volunteers cannot fulfill their commitments (at least four times per calendar year), are not available for annual refresher training, or if their actions violate BOP policies and procedures. In addition, volunteer programs may be suspended if the program does not meet inmate needs/interests. At times, staff and/or institution schedule changes may result in cancellation or suspension of the program and the volunteers.
Sample
P-S483.053 VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT and TRAINING CERTIFICATION CDFRM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
I, , hereby state I received and completed my training as a volunteer at (name of institution)
I acknowledge that I must adhere to and support all policies and procedures of the Bureau of Prisons particularly those relating to the security and confidentiality of information and failure to abide by these rules and regulations may result in my termination from service. Specifically, I recognize the primary mission of the institution is the protection of society, staff and inmates, and any action which is deemed disruptive to this mission may also call for termination.
I have read, understand, and retained copies of the Standards of Employee Conduct (Program Statement 3420.08)
I understand as a volunteer I will not receive any financial reimbursement or compensation from the Federal Bureau of Prisons for my services, time or expenses.
I have been informed of, and accept, in my status as an approved volunteer, or after my termination as a volunteer, I may not visit with an inmate in this institution on a social or personal basis, without the written approval of the Regional Director.
I understand I do not have the authority, express or otherwise, to compel or restrict an inmate's conduct or participation in a particular program. Any limitations of this kind will be made by Bureau of Prisons staff, although I may provide information.
I understand any difficulty encountered must be immediately brought to the attention of the Program Manager or Volunteer Coordinator who will ensure the problem is resolved.
Finally, I understand this completed and signed agreement will be maintained in my Official Volunteer File.
TYPE OF TRAINING / Date Completed / Signature of Volunteer
Initial Training
Annual Training
Annual Training
Determining The Service You Will Provide
The BOP recognizes the need for inmates to develop critical reentry skills. Faith and community-based volunteers contribute substantially to an institution’s ability to offer programs which emphasize the following:
Daily Living Skills - Inmates need programs which help them to develop or improve independent living skills such as: (1) How to find an appropriate residence, (2) How to practice personal hygiene and appearance, (3) How to develop and maintain a responsible budget, and (4) How to comply with any applicable legal requirements.
Mental Health Skills - Volunteers are needed to help inmates develop the skills to avoid illegal substances, dependencies, and other self-destructive behaviors.
Wellness Skills - As health insurance may be a challenge for many offenders until they reach a point of stability upon release, volunteers can help to emphasize the need to maintain physical well-being through health promotion and disease prevention strategies. To the fullest extent possible, offenders should participate in appropriate diet and physical activities.
Interpersonal Skills - As inmates have been removed from family and the broader society, volunteers can help inmates to develop and practice appropriate and effective interpersonal skills. Healthy relationships and avoidance of negative interpersonal influences are among the variables which contribute to an offender’s ability to avoid recidivism.
Academic Skills - A lack of education has often contributed to incarceration for many offenders. Volunteers can assist inmates with participation and progress in educational and occupational training for post release employment.
Cognitive Skills - Volunteers help inmates develop accurate self-appraisal and goal setting skills. Volunteers can provide programs which produce opportunities for problem solving, anger management, and related skills.