In my spare time I wanted to do some volunteer work. Is a local prison a good place to start?

Question

I've read on their website that they have volunteer programs for poetry and religious needs and I have interest and some experience in both. Are these programs for "beginners" or should I start with something more subtle like food service at a shelter?

Answer 1

My experience with prisons (and jails) has shown that there are some who attend the programs that you describe simply as a means to escape boredom and have someone "nice" to look at (and ogle). Others, are there definitely to enrich their lives and make a change.

The thing about correctional facilities as a whole, is that with the isolation from the outside world, any female that goes inside and has contact with males, immediately becomes an object of admiration and sometimes obsession.

Unless you have a tough skin and have sucessfully dealt with street level criminals, you may want to start at a soup kitchen or church donation/distribution site.

Otherwise, you may find yourself feeling a little like Tweety Bird when he encounters Sylvester outside the cage.

Answer 2

You used the term local prison, most towns do not have a prison, they have a city jail and a county jail. If you are referring to a local jail, I think it would be a great idea. The ladies in the jails look forward to Christan's who send personal items such as toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant.

If you are referring to State prison, I have no advice, because I know nothing about it.
A few years ago I went with a church group to a Federal Prison and we were in a room with the lady prisoners and guards were every where. I felt perfectly safe. and I am glad of the experience. Whatever you decide I wish you good luck.

Answer 3

Both would be very rewarding,I personally would volunteer at the prison because it would be more of a challenge,and you have experience in both religion and poetry.I think it gets down to how strong you are as a person,because going into a prison could be pretty frightening and you would have to walk in expecting anything,and if your sensitive this may not be the place for you,but how rewarding it would be if you could reach out and get through to just one person and possibly change their life for the better by giving them hope and caring enough to share your expertise or knowledge on these topics.Either way your doing a wonderful thing,so you really cant go wrong.

Answer 4

If you're new to volunteering, you might want to start by examining the issues to see what is most relevant to your situation:
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/vca/citizen-academy/

You can make the most impact doing things that you believe in, and what matters to you most. Your volunteer center can help you find specific projects and agencies that best match your goals and interests. Here are some links to help you get started:
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/our-network/
http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/find_center.cfm
http://national.unitedway.org

Through my volunteer center, I tutor children at the library, enrich arts and culture by helping visitors at the local museum, work at the local food bank, children's shelter, and clean our neighborhoods, parks, and beaches. There's a lot more different projects that your volunteer center can help you find in your local area.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Try a Hospital, there is always something you can do there to make someones day more enjoyable considering they are ill.
Some people don't even get visitors.

Also a local shelter/soup kitchen is another good start.

A prison maybe a very vulgar first time experience.

Answer 6

Why dont you're attempting: attempt operating at animal shelters, volunteering at a retirement homestead, turning out to be a large brother/sister to an underpriveleged toddler going to a public position and searching at a jobs needed or doing favors round your community wish this enables

Answer 7

Well: you can help with the " Catholic Church an non-profit
Orginization in which they Sponsor a special project in feeding those Homeless People by donating foods towards
1Community & Buliding them for certain Foundations whom
has your groups of Volunteers gives support visit
http://www.catholic.church.org

Answer 8

This series of online articles gives experiences of 'weathered' Christian counselors ... Something you might want to consider:

Can Prisoners Be Reformed? :
- Prisons in Crisis
- Is the Solution Part of the Problem?
- Is REAL Reform Possible?
- Opening a Window of Hope ...
http://watchtower.org/e/20010508a/article_01.htm

Answer 9

Don't go there trying to save anyone from it, just try to make a difference to the ones who need it the most. Animal shelters hold the same principles, but nobody cries when they put the mean dog to sleep except his/or her mother. Start out at Goodwill. Or your Church.

Answer 10

Hospice, Humane Society, Children's Programs....that would be where to start. If you absolutely are interested in the prison, great--but I don't think the rewards would be the same.