A volunteer/citizen involvement program exists to help generate a variety of services for inmates during confinement. The use of volunteers permits increased personal contact for the inmates, broadens community resources for the facility, and increases public awareness regarding the mission, philosophy and activities of the Pennington County Jail. The Pennington County Jail encourages volunteers from all cultural and socioeconomic segments of the community it serves. Volunteers represent many civic organizations, educational institutions, churches, businesses, and individuals.

Professionals who volunteer their services must be currently certified or licensed in their area of expertise.

Program/interaction options are specific and have volunteer job descriptions. Each job description details the purpose, time commitment, qualifications, responsibilities, training and support required and/or provided.

Volunteer services are classified into four general categories:

• Direct Contact Volunteer: Any person who, of his/her free will, provides services to the facility with no monetary or material gain.
• Material Goods/Services Donor: Any person who provides goods or services to the facility but has no direct contact with the juveniles.
• Interns: Students referred to the Pennington County Jail for the purpose of an introduction and orientation to the Pennington County Jail, followed by actual performance of services.
• Advisory Board Members: Those persons approved to sit on the Pennington County Jail Advisory Board.

Sample volunteer opportunities: Alcoholics Anonymous, AA Big Book, Anger Management, Bible Study, Catholic Services, Church Services, Drum Group, Gideon Ladies, Hope for New Life, Law Library, Relationship, Spanish Bible Study, Talking Circle, Wise Guys, Women's Meditation, Women's Yoga, and Other Ideas of Volunteers.

All volunteers must complete the following steps and be approved by the jail administration:

• Complete a volunteer application and sign a criminal record check waiver.
• Submit application and waiver.
• Complete an interview.
• Discuss program assignments and expectations using job description.
• Sign volunteer agreement and confidentiality commitment.
• Tour facility and observe programming.
• Complete orientation training appropriate to the nature of the volunteer assignment.

Suggestions from volunteers for improving the volunteer programs are encouraged, both during and following their experience at the Pennington County Jail. Volunteer services are closely monitored by the Administration to assure quality interactions with inmates.

Volunteer services may be curtailed, postponed, and/or discontinued if they do not serve the best interests of the inmates and/or fail to meet the expectations of the Jail.

Interested in Volunteering at the Pennington County Jail? Please take a moment to complete our form.