Prison Programs
The Department of Corrections is looking for people with the skills that inmates need to successfully re-enter society and a willingness to spend time teaching these skills. Faith and Citizen Programs is interested in proposals for both secular and religious programs. Volunteers are needed to teach computer, educational, life coping, parenting, and reading skills; as well as tutors and faith group volunteers.
Volunteer Process:
Application to CDOC: Potential volunteers must make individual application by submitting form 900-1A (two pages). Applicants must be affiliated with an approved program. Each applicant will undergo a facility access check to explore criminal history. Volunteers will receive an Approval Email or Denial Letter when the access check is complete. This letter will include instructions for approved volunteers to schedule themselves for the Basic Volunteer Training and will include a statewide training schedule.
- Basic Volunteer Training (BVT 8 hours)
Only individuals who have been cleared through the application and facility access check process are allowed to attend training. Training will include: Introduction to CDOC, ADA, Communicable Diseases, HIPPA, Hostage Survival, Life Saving Response, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Professionalism, Victim Services Unit, Restorative Justice, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace, Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and Preventing Workplace Violence. Upon successful completion of this training each volunteer will complete the Volunteer Agreement and Training Certification forms.
- Facility Orientation and Tour (up to 2 Hrs)
Facility Orientation Tours are required at each facility a volunteer plans to access. Following successful completion of the Basic Volunteer Training, each volunteer will contact the appropriate Facility Volunteer Coordinator to arrange the Facility Orientation Tour. Upon successful completion of this tour(s) each volunteer will complete the Orientation form to be held for Warden Approval.
- Warden Approval
By statute each Warden / designee is responsible for approving all individuals entering the facility. The Warden's signature on the Orientation form satisfies this requirement and completes this process. Volunteer's Facility access is not established until the Warden's signature has been issued and the Faith and Citizen Programs office has processed the forms. Please Note: Approved Volunteers will be notified by mail, e-mail or phone call, by the Facility Volunteer Coordinator once all steps have been completed. Notification will include the program day/date and time of approved facility access. Welcome to the CDOC.
- Access to the Facility
Volunteer May Now Access CDOC Facility (Per Volunteer Roster) Approved volunteers are not allowed unrestricted access. They may access only for their approved program(s) as scheduled by the Facility Volunteer Coordinator. Approved volunteers are allowed access by signing in and exchanging their photo ID for a Green Volunteer Badge or may be issued a badge.
- Annual Update Application and Facility Access Check
Annual Update Application and facility access check are required. To remain an active CDOC Volunteer each individual is required to submit an Annual Update Application (form AR 900-1A, two page). An annual facility access check will be done and unless something new is revealed the volunteer remains active. You will NOT receive an approval letter for update application approval. Annual update applications are expected to be approved unless there is new criminal history that comes up during the facility access check. Applications can now be emailed to us: doc_volunteering@state.co.us
- Update Volunteer Training- UVT (4 hrs)
Update Volunteer Training - UVT (4 hrs) Annually each volunteer is required to attend a four-hour refresher class to remain active. These classes are offered throughout the year at various locations around Colorado. See the current Volunteer Training Schedule for dates to attend the online training listed below.
- Guest Access
Individuals who are potential volunteers or are affiliated with an approved special event must complete and submit a Guidelines for Guests form (AR 900-1J) and a Consent to Search form (AR 300-27C) to affected facilities for consideration.
Volunteer Training
Online Update Volunteer Training (UVT) and Basic Volunteer Training (BVT) classes are available. Volunteers will attend UVT and BVT classes via Google Meet. Volunteers will need to sign up by sending an email to doc_volunteering@state.co.us so that we can send you an invitation to join the class via your email address. Please choose from the classes listed below. Thank you for all that you do.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING SCHEDULE:
Saturday, 5/18 @ 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.