Volunteer Training
Training is an important aspect of Kolbe Prison Ministries and must be done according to the guidelines and requirements of the pertinent state corrections agency.
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Training in Texas
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) places a significant focus on volunteer services realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. Volunteers assist in providing literacy and educational assistance, life skills, job skills, and parenting classes. Volunteers facilitate medical education and prevention training as well as arts and crafts programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, faith-based programming, and other programs determined by TDCJ to aid in the transition between confinement and society. The TDCJ provides a Volunteer Handbook that contains more info.
There are two types of volunteers within TDCJ: Special and Approved
Special Volunteer– Any individual who participates in activities no more than four times. After the fourth visit as a special volunteer, the individual will be required to become an approved volunteer for future visits. The exception is for those individuals who participate in the Kolbe Prison retreats may participles in no more than four retreats in a calendar year. One retreat equals one visit. Special volunteers do not complete a volunteer application and are not typically subject to a criminal history check.
Approved Volunteer– Any individual who has attended authorized TDCJ training. To find more information, view the TDCJ Volunteer Program and also the TDCJ Training Session Schedule by date. Occasionally, additional training sessions may be offered by the TDCJ staff as their schedule permits and when there are a sufficient number of attendees. Note: if you have received training at one of the TDCJ sessions and have NOT received notification (within 6-8 weeks) that you are approved as a volunteer, you may wish to contact TDCJ Volunteer Services at (936) 437-3026 to inquire about your approval status.
Special Volunteer– Any individual who participates in activities no more than four times. After the fourth visit as a special volunteer, the individual will be required to become an approved volunteer for future visits. The exception is for those individuals who participate in the Kolbe Prison retreats may participles in no more than four retreats in a calendar year. One retreat equals one visit. Special volunteers do not complete a volunteer application and are not typically subject to a criminal history check.
Approved Volunteer– Any individual who has attended authorized TDCJ training. To find more information, view the TDCJ Volunteer Program and also the TDCJ Training Session Schedule by date. Occasionally, additional training sessions may be offered by the TDCJ staff as their schedule permits and when there are a sufficient number of attendees. Note: if you have received training at one of the TDCJ sessions and have NOT received notification (within 6-8 weeks) that you are approved as a volunteer, you may wish to contact TDCJ Volunteer Services at (936) 437-3026 to inquire about your approval status.
TDCJ personnel offer training sessions periodically at various locations around the state, often at the prisons themselves. The training sessions are typically held on Saturday mornings and normally last about four hours. The key information conveyed at these training sessions involve discussions of prohibited activities, offender interaction and security awareness. The training sessions have been found to be valuable for understanding the do’s and don’ts while in prison. 
Visit the link to view the TDCJ Training Info and Application. TDCJ training must be refreshed every two years (alternating online and in-person). The Texas facilities are now being opened again to volunteers after the COVID-19 pandemic. For more info, visit the Face-to-Face volunteering Services Plan webpage.
Beyond the TDCJ rules and requirements, almost every Catholic diocese requires training in Safe Environment and/or a Criminal Background Check. To be safe, every KPM volunteer should seek the diocesan training required.
Visit the link to view the
Training in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department 
of Corrections places a significant focus on volunteer services realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections publishes a Volunteer Orientation and Training Manual B-08-004 that offers an abundance of information for person interested in prison ministry.
Due to COVID-related changes, the LA Department of Corrections has made it possible to obtain training and volunteer certification online. Visit the ‘Providing Transparency and Public Information‘ page and scroll down to the section labeled ‘We Need Your Help – Volunteers/Contractors‘. There you will find a training/orientation video and instructions on how to apply to be a volunteer.
of Corrections places a significant focus on volunteer services realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections publishes a
Training in Florida
The Florida Department 
of Corrections places a significant focus on volunteer services realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. The Florida Department of Corrections publishes a Volunteer Training Manual that offers an abundance of information for person interested in prison ministry.
KPM volunteers fall under the auspices of the Bureau of Chaplaincy Services which provides for the spiritual needs of inmates and offenders. In addition to tending to their spiritual needs, The Bureau of Chaplaincy Services coordinates religious education and related services.
Prospective volunteers must first complete an Volunteer Application, and once accepted, the FDC will provide info on the requirements for training.
of Corrections places a significant focus on volunteer services realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. The Florida Department of Corrections publishes a Prospective volunteers must first complete an Volunteer Application, and once accepted, the FDC will provide info on the requirements for training.
