Volunteer Services

Volunteer helping an offender in the chapel.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers provide services that staff cannot offer. The IDOC cannot provide individual teaching and guidance that a volunteer or mentor can. Additionally, the success of an offender relies on a successful transition from incarceration to the community. Unfortunately, far too many offenders fail in their transition, and far too often offenders create another victim when they fail.

One of the IDOC's values is the belief that people can change, but if change came easy, our prisons would be empty. By the time an offender enters prison, the valiant attempts of parents, other family members, teachers, juvenile corrections, treatment agencies, courts, or probation officers have been disregarded by the offender and postitive change does not happen.  

The Idaho Department of Correction encourages community involvement that will assist us in accomplishing our mission of protecting Idaho by providing offenders with an opportunity to change. The volunteer program includes both secular and religious aspects in prison facilities and community corrections.

Opportunities range from leading religious worship classes and services to providing educational tutoring and guidance within the prisons. Facilitating a successful transition back into the community when an offender is released is critical to an offender making positive and substantial changes.

The Department is also expanding the mentorship program which will provide additional opportunities for volunteers to become mentors to offenders and have a much more direct and positive impact in preparation for a successful return and reintegration into society.

If you believe that people can change, and you're up to the challenge, you have come to the right place.

Please send any comments, suggestions and feedback regarding Volunteer Services at IDOC to department volunteer coordinator Jeff Kirkman at volunteerservices@idoc.idaho.gov.