Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services Division

Volunteer Services Program

Volunteer Opportunities

For specific questions or assistance please e-mail the Volunteer Services Department directly at VolunteerServicesLiaison@tdcj.texas.gov.

The role of the volunteer within TDCJ is to provide guidance in specific activities and programs, promote personal growth and development, provide support and assistance to victims and inmates, and help facilitate re-entry into the community.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you are encouraged to complete the online application and training (see below). After the completion of initial training, volunteers are required to renew their volunteer application and re-train every two (2) years.

• Apply: use the online application.
  
  
• Train: either online or in-person.

Check your status. Approval status will only be reflected if the training has been completed within the last 24 months. Please allow time for processing.

Completion of training is not a guarantee of approval. All applications include a criminal background check and are reviewed for eligibility according to the following criteria:

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must not have any pending criminal charges.
• Must have been released from an adult prison for at least 12 months.
• If you are on any type of adult supervision, you will be required to provide a letter from your supervising officer acknowledging your participation in the TDCJ Volunteer Program and that you are meeting the requirements of supervision.
• Must be 12-months from the disposition date of any criminal charge (excluding traffic tickets).

Volunteer Resources

Recommended for all volunteers:

• Handbook for Volunteers - PDF
• Handbook for Volunteers - Word

We encourage volunteers to give their opinions to assist our efforts in accomplishing TDCJ's mission. Please feel free to fill out the on-line suggestions form or print a copy and mail it to the address listed on the bottom of the page.

• Volunteer Assessment/Suggestion Form - Online Form
• Volunteer Assessment/Suggestion Form - PDF

Mentoring

An online course to train volunteers to participate in the Chaplaincy Mentor Program is available. Only approved TDCJ volunteers will receive credit for this training. Those who successfully complete the course meet the requirements to serve as a volunteer mentor under the direction of a unit chaplain. To start the training, please click on the following link.

TDCJ Chaplaincy Mentor Training

The following document is available for download in both PDF and Word formats:

• Mentoring Handbook - PDF
• Mentoring Handbook - Word

Volunteer Newsletter

September 2022 Newsletter

Volunteer Newsletter Archives

Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

• 30th Annual Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards
• Past Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards Recipients

Volunteer Programs or Services

Volunteer programs or services must have prior approval before implementation or presentation to the inmates. The attached program proposal form must be completed and submitted to the Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services Division. Questions about the form, as well as the completed form, may be submitted electronically to program.proposal.form@tdcj.texas.gov.

• Proposal Form for Service Providers - PDF
• Proposal Form for Service Providers - Word

Volunteer Services Contact Information

Volunteer Services
You may contact Volunteer Services at (936) 437-7243, if you have a specific question regarding your eligibility.

Lisa Langley - Committee Coordinator
TDCJ – Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services Division
Two Financial Plaza
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 437-7384

Volunteer Coordination Committee

The Volunteer Coordination Committee (VCC) was established to coordinate programming among the various divisions to maximize the safe and successful use of volunteers. The Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services Division together with the VCC provides oversight of volunteer activities within the various criminal justice settings.