1. Face the speaker.
   
   
2. Listen to the speaker.
   
   
3. Allow for your own bias.
   
   
4. Keep your mind on what the inmate is saying.
   
   
5. Make a conscious effort to evaluate the logic of what you hear.
   
   
6. Don't judge ideas by the inmate's appearance or delivery.
   
   
7. Don't interrupt immediately if you think a statement is wrong.
   
   
8. Let Christ, who is the Answer, have the last word – not yourself.
   
   
9. Don't judge the inmate's motives.
   
   

HOW TO WORK WITH INMATES

DO NOT . . .

• Carry items, especially letters, into or out of the institution.
  
• Give, exchange, or receive money
• Make phone calls for men or women.
• Bring medicine into the institution.
  
• Give out phone numbers and addresses indiscriminately.
  
• Expect to be well received if confronting the Administration about rules and policies. (This is not the place for soapboxes)
  
• Talk to one inmate about another. This can cause fighting.
  
• Become the object of one-sided love affairs.
  
• Be shocked, scared, or intimated by what you hear in prison.

SLOW! SLOW! SLOW!

Go slow on gifts to the women. There are occasions when a small gift is a natural response. There are times when we try to buy friendship, and other times persons abuse friendship by requesting items. Before any gift or money is offered or given, first check with the Chaplain.

GO! GO! GO!

• Be yourself.
  
• Be guided by impulse.
  
• Be honest, be fair, be frank.
  
• Don't accept everything the inmates say as the gospel.
  
• Go easy on discussing cases.
  
• Keep an open eye and mind for ways in which you might make a unique personal contribution.
  
• Avoid "selling" anything.
  
• If you have any doubts about anything, ask. It's no crime to ask; it may be a crime not to.

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HOW TO WORK WITH SECURITY

The role of security personnel is to ensure the safety of all persons within the facility, which includes employees along with residents, volunteers and each other. In this section we will discuss how volunteers can help the security officer carry out his/her mission.

DO NOT . . .

• Bring money into the prison.
• Bring handbags, wallets or full key rings into the prison.
• Bring drugs or medication into the prison.
• Expect to enter the prison at times other than scheduled activities.
• Attempt to bring books, letters, pictures or food into the prison without permission.
• Wear shorts, see-through clothes, low-cut dresses, tank tops, or sun dresses into the prison.

DO. . .

• Leave money at home or locked up in auto. Sometime $10.00 in change is permitted, but only during one-on-one visitation.
  
• Bring just your ID, volunteer card, and necessary keys (car, door key).
  
• Get required written permission for any of these materials. Notify the program sponsor for approval.
  
• Women must wear bras, panties (with or without pantyhose). Men or women may wear hats. Avoid wearing costly jewelry.

Follow the orders of directives given by security personnel and do not attempt to wander around the prison. A tour of the prison can be arranged through an institutional sponsor. If there are questions, which arise during an activity, always ask the sponsor to clarify those questions.

Keep in mind that institutional sponsors are volunteers as well, and, though having some latitude within the prison, they must abide by the directives of security personnel when safety is a factor. While in the prison, in all situations, remember to KEEP YOUR COOL.


VOLUNTEER RULES

Volunteers are people who ultimately have something to give, or who have talents and abilities that may be useful to individuals or groups both, within the prison, and society. The following information will help volunteers understand how to bet serve the needs of the individual, group, and themselves.


DO . . .

• Assess needs versus wants and use common sense. Money may not be helpful to an individual; whereas, it may benefit a group or program.
  
  
• Take the time to develop trust. A volunteer may be the one person a resident will trust. Calls may be partly paid by the resident.
  
  
• Take problems, complaints, and questions to the program sponsor if the group or individual with who you work is unable to help.
  
  
• Listen to problems, offer suggestions if solicited, and respect confidentiality.
  
  
• Follow the dress code and be aware that there are people in prison who perceive normal gestures as an advance.
  
  
• Accept what is said without being judgmental. KEEP YOUR COOL.

A great deal of good can be accomplished in prisons, and volunteers will find that much can be taught and learned as they become accustomed to their roles. However, a great deal of damage can be done as well. Here are some additional points for volunteers.

• Be sure of what you say.
  
• Be friendly without being over friendly.
  
• Be honest.
  
• Be willing to confront manipulative behavior.
  
• Do not be influenced by rumors.

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