How Do I...?
For Volunteers<< Back
- How do I become a volunteer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?
- Volunteer Application
- Volunteer Training/Orientation Schedule - by City
- Volunteer Training/Orientation Schedule - by Date
- Must be 18 years or older,
- Must not have any pending criminal charges,
- Must have been released from an adult correctional facility for at least 18 months (except for the Partners program),
- If you are on any type of adult supervision, you will be required to provide a letter from your supervising officer stating they are aware you are wishing to become a volunteer for the TDCJ.
- Must be 18-months from the disposition date of any criminal charge (excluding traffic tickets).
- How will I be notified if I am approved?
- How long is the application process?
- Can an ex-inmate volunteer?
- Can a TDCJ employee (or retiree) become a volunteer?
- Can I attend a training class at a unit different from the one I will be volunteering at?
- How long is the training session?
- How often am I required to retrain?
- Volunteer Training/Orientation Schedule - by City
- Volunteer Training/Orientation Schedule - by Date
- Can I bring a friend with me to the volunteer training/orientation session?
- Can my church/ministry group donate books or materials to the units?
- What if someone I know is currently incarcerated within the TDCJ?
- How many units can I visit?
- After becoming an approved volunteer, will I be able to write letters to inmates?
- Once I receive my approval notice from TDCJ Volunteer Services how do I begin volunteering?
If you are interested in becoming an approved volunteer within TDCJ, you are encouraged to complete a TDCJ Volunteer Application and attend a required volunteer training session at an on-site training location.
Each volunteer applicant will receive e-mail or mail notification of their approval or denial of services.
For an applicant with a clear criminal history, the process typically takes two to four weeks. If there is a criminal history the applicant may be required to provide additional information, which will require additional processing time. Additional information may include support letters, dispositions for crimes, etc.
Yes, generally ex-inmates may serve as a volunteer provided they have a clear criminal background for the previous 18 months and have demonstrated successful reentry into the community. The Partners Program allows for ex-inmates to serve as a substance abuse volunteer six months after their release. The ex-inmate must be sponsored by an approved volunteer and must have a year of sobriety to be eligible for the Partners Program. Ex-inmates may also participate in the volunteer program as a special volunteer one year after their release.
Yes, applicants with a TDCJ employment history will undergo a review by the TDCJ Human Resources Division. The applicant’s employment history will be considered in approving the volunteer applicant. Employees will not be eligible to serve on a facility where they are currently assigned unless the facility administrator approves the employee volunteer’s assignment.
Yes.
TDCJ Volunteer Training can be scheduled up to 4 hours.
Volunteers are required to retrain every two years. Volunteers may retrain on-line every other training session thru online Volunteer Training.
Every other retraining must be at an on-site location. Volunteers may access the TDCJ Volunteer Training schedule online for a list of available on-site training locations, times, and dates by clicking one of the following links:
Every other retraining must be at an on-site location. Volunteers may access the TDCJ Volunteer Training schedule online for a list of available on-site training locations, times, and dates by clicking one of the following links:
No, only individuals that are participating in the training session should attend. Children or pets will not be permitted in the training session.
Yes, contact the unit chaplain or the facility volunteer administrator for guidance on how to make a donation.
Volunteers will not be placed at a facility where a relative, friend, victim, or enemy is assigned. Volunteer applicants are required to acknowledge on their application if a relative, friend, victim, or enemy is incarcerated. In the event a relative, friend, victim, or enemy becomes incarcerated after the applicant becomes an approved volunteer, or if a volunteer discovers a friend, relative, victim, or enemy is assigned to a facility on which they serve, the volunteer is responsible for reporting the information immediately to the Volunteer Services Department by calling (936) 437-3026. The volunteer may be reassigned to another facility.
Approved volunteers can serve/visit on multiple units based on the unit’s needs and space availability.
Yes, volunteers (excluding employee and Victim Services volunteers) may correspond with an inmate(s). Please note that volunteers must identify themselves on the envelope and letter that they are a volunteer. Volunteers shall only use a postal box address or the address of the organization, program, or church they represent as the return address. Correspondence should be encouraging to the inmates in an effort to help them in their rehabilitation. Correspondence shall not include any references that are sexual in nature; refer to criminal behavior or gang-related information; refer to or include contraband; refer to actions that are inappropriate such as soliciting money, or contain records or documents held by the TDCJ (those not listed in the TDCJ Public Information Act Manual). Volunteers shall not reference or include personal information when corresponding with inmates (e.g., personal photographs, personal relationships, personal finances, etc.) or provide legal and/or financial advice.
Contact the chaplain or volunteer coordinator of the facility on which you would like to serve. Placement of volunteers is based on the needs of the facility, needs of the inmate population, space availability, existing program schedules, and the proposed volunteer activity. See the Unit Directory for a list of units and contact information.