Jail Volunteer Rules and Guidelines

Guidelines and Rules for Volunteers

It is the policy of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to provide as many programs from outside sources as possible without causing an undue burden for the staff and the routine of the facility.  We are open to considering any program that promises to provide positive skills and character to our inmate population.  We are not able to accommodate all requests however and are required for security reasons to keep the volunteers involved with our programs to a minimum.  We value the volunteers we have and hope to continue to grow in this area of service to our community.  The following are rules and guidelines developed to ensure the smooth operation of all programs and the facility in general.

Specific times will be set up for volunteer programs.  It is important the stop and start times are adhered to.

As a volunteer you must:

1. Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
2. Complete an application for volunteer service.
3. Be free of any alcohol or drug use and have one-year minimum of clean time.
4. Conduct yourself in a non-agitating non-rebellious manner.
5. Extend courtesy and respect to facility staff.
6. Keep confidential matters confidential.
7. Interpret “volunteer” to mean that he/she has agreed to work without compensation in money.
8. Maintain an attitude of open mindedness.
9. Compliments the work of staff.
10. Maintain professional attitude toward volunteer work.
11. Accepts differences in people in terms of cultural or economic background, race, religion, and values.
12. Not discuss conditions within the facility or opinions about staff members.
13. Not get involved in discussions about inmates’ crimes or charges.
14. Not give or accept gifts, money, or other items.
15. Not have any physical contact with the inmates in the facility.
16. Agree to submit to a metal detector and/or pat-down searches.
17. Do not carry any form of communications to or from inmates in or out of the facility.

As a volunteer you may be asked to leave the facility and/or the volunteer program for any of the following reasons:

1. Breach of confidentiality.
2. Unlawful conduct or breach of facility rules and regulations.
3. Inability to cooperate with staff.
4. Any activity which threatens the safety, security, or orderly operation of the facility and those within it.
5. Erratic, unreliable attendance.
6. In case of emergency situations in the facility.
7. If you have a relative or friend lodged as an inmate in the facility.