Mentoring for IDOC

Free2Succeed is the Idaho Department of Correction's mentorship initiative. Mentoring returning citizens through critical and often difficult times will not only provide necessary guidance and support but also, quite possibly, for their loved ones. Mentors come from all walks of life, all ages, and a variety of economic, social, and educational backgrounds. As a Free2Succeed Mentor with the IDOC you will help fulfill our mission to create a model correctional system that provides opportunities that reflect a community experience and foster connections by:

• being part of the resident's support system and ensuring a successful transition into Idaho's communities.
• providing accountability, trust, and a positive relationship where none may otherwise exist.
• developing partnerships with IDOC staff, faith-based organizations, and other community support groups and services.
• creating opportunities for residents that reflect a community experience and encourage positive change.
• providing comfort and encouragement through difficult and stressful times.
• ensuring the resident attends and completes required programs, and seeks positive activities to develop social and problem-solving skills.
• being a positive and pro-social connection and introducing residents to other pro-social individuals.

How do you get started as a mentor?

1. Submit a Mentor Application - you DO NOT need to complete a background check.
2. Attend Mentor Training and Orientation (ITO). You may start mentoring before completing the training provided you attend the next available training opportunity
3. You will be contacted by one of our Free2Succeed Mentor Site Coordinators (MSC) regarding mentoring in the respective district where you reside. The IDOC currently partners with the AmeriCorps VISTA program with members who serve as Mentor Site Coordinators. 
4. Wait to be matched with a mentee. Depending on a number of circumstances, it may require some time to find an individual that meets the criteria for you to mentor, for example: someone to released to your city or area, gender, age, etc.

Mentor expectations

• Commit to the program and the mentee
• Act as a role model
• Support, guide, encourage, teach, and coach
• Motivate and demonstrate
• Identify opportunities for growth and progress
• Provide information and help connect with community resources
• Develop partnerships and working relationships with staff
• Attend mentor training

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The goals of the IDOC Volunteer Program are to: 

• Enhance and expand services for residents
• Partner in the management and assistance of resident reentry efforts
• Recruit and retain volunteers
• Encourage and model positive, pro-social behavior and values
• Foster a culture that embodies quality volunteer services integrated into IDOC strategic goals, objectives, and priorities

The IDOC's Volunteer Program is a key component in accomplishing our mission to create a correctional system that provides opportunities that reflect community experiences and foster connections. There are a wide variety of opportunities for volunteer service including, but not limited to, teaching a religious or secular class, leading a religious service, facilitating a self-help program, providing tutoring or other education assistance, supplementing vocational training opportunities, or donating much needed items. 

There are two types of volunteers - Limited Service and Regular with two levels of regular volunteers: Level 1 and Level 2. 

• Limited Service volunteers, when approved, are allowed to come in to the facilities up to four times (4x) per calendar year, typically for a special event such as a concert or presentation, etc. A Limited Service application is completed, a background check done, and approved by the facility administration. IDOC Volunteer training attendance is not required for Limited Service volunteers. 
• Regular volunteers are individuals who desire to come in a facility on a scheduled, regular basis for a variety of volunteer activities. A New Volunteer application is completed, a background check done, and approval by the administration. Attendance at an IDOC Volunteer Training is required and once/calendar year to continue as a regular volunteer. 
  • Level 1 - all new volunteers begin their volunteer service as a Level 1 and then, after about 24 hours of working with the population (10 hours for a CRC), the volunteer can request to move to a Level 2 status.
  • Level 2 - once a Request for Level 2 Status is approved by the facility administration, a "green" volunteer badge will be issued for the volunteer and kept at the facility where they are volunteering. If volunteering at more than one facility, a volunteer badge is issued for each facility the volunteer is approved to enter.

We encourage volunteers (individuals and organizations) to provide services, classes, or activities that will directly benefit the population and assist them in preparing for their return to society. If you have an idea or would like to propose an activity, we would love to hear about it. This Proposal Form will help us determine if your idea is something we can accommodate in our facilities. Please fill it out as completely as possible and provide us with as much information as you can. 

Areas where volunteers can be pivotal to providing enhanced and supplemental services to residents:

Visit New Volunteer Requirements to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

IDOC Volunteer Portal 

 IDOC staff for all volunteer services and activities in prison facilities:

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer with the Idaho Department of Correction!!

Volunteer Categories

Level 1 Volunteer: Constant staff or Level 2 volunteer escort and observation. All new volunteers begin as Level 1.

Level 2 Volunteer: Does not require constant staff escort; must demonstrate an ability to work successfully in the prison environment, have at least 24 hours of volunteer service in the facility, and receive approval from the VRC and Deputy Warden of the facility.

Limited Service Volunteer: Enter the facility less than four (4) times in one year for a special event; i.e. one-time guest speaker. Limited-Service volunteers are not required to complete the training requirements, but do need to complete an application.

Mentor: Review the requirements to become a mentor.

First Steps

1. Review the Volunteer Agreement and the Volunteer Services in a Correctional Facility policy. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements outlined in policy.
2. Review the list of Idaho prison facilities and community reentry centers to determine which one you'd like to volunteer at. You will only be allowed to select one facility initially. If you'd like to expand your volunteer service to additional facilities, notify the Facility VRC after the application has been approved.
3. Complete and submit the New Volunteer Application online. You will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received. To inquire about the status of your application, contact the Facility VRC.
4. A background security check will be completed and your application will be reviewed. If the application is approved, plan to attend the New Volunteer Training.
   
   *If you're not sure if you want to volunteer in a prison environment, you can observe a volunteer service and receive a brief tour of the facility by contacting the Facility VRC. Make sure you schedule this through the VRC!
5. Once you complete the New Volunteer training, you will need to attend a Facility Orientation that is specific to the facility where you will be volunteering. All correctional facilities operate differently; the facility orientation is required so you can become familiar with the facility's emergency procedures and guidelines before you begin your volunteer service. Contact the Facility VRC to schedule the Facility Orientation.
6. Once your application has been approved and you've completed the New Volunteer Training and Facility Orientation, contact the Facility VRC to arrange your volunteer service schedule.