The Missouri Department of Corrections utilizes the services of volunteers in a variety of meaningful ways to augment institutional and community services and programs for offenders. Volunteers serve as excellent examples of people leading productive lives while inspiring offenders to strive for success.
Who volunteers?
Partners in Corrections (PIC) care about people, family life, and community. They are willing to use their experience, knowledge, and understanding to affect positive change and provide a safety net of support for offenders. Volunteers must be 18 years old (19 or older to have offender contact), and must pass a screening and interview process. PICs are considered unpaid staff of the department and are required to adhere to department and facility policies and procedure.
What do volunteers do?
PICs contribute time and talent to assist the department in delivering services and facilitating programs that focus on preparing offenders to become productive citizens.
to offenders at MECC
PICs provide a catalyst to:
- Involve the community in the criminal justice process
- Promote community understanding regarding the correctional experience
- Increase services to offenders/clients
- Encourage offenders/clients to develop responsible behavior
- Be a role model
Goals of the volunteer program?
The department understands its mission to enhance public safety, while offenders are under its supervision. Volunteer services facilitate and coordinate the involvement of the community in the rehabilitation of offenders through volunteer led programs and services. Enhancing public safety is achieved by ending the criminal behavior in offenders under supervision and assisting them in the transformation to become productive, law-abiding citizens. Achieving this goal requires the partnership of offenders, staff, offender families and friends, communities, and volunteers.
Goals of the volunteer program?
PICs serve in correctional facilities in the Division of Adult Institutions (DAI) and in the Division of Probation and Parole (P&P) offices, a community release center and community supervision centers throughout the state.
What steps should I take?
- Contact the institution or P&P field office where you are interested in volunteering. Ask for the Institutional Activities Coordinator (IAC) or the PIC Site Coordinator. Facility addresses and phone numbers can be accessed at doc.mo.gov.
- Set up a time to meet with the IAC. Speak to them about volunteering at their facility and the skills you have to offer in assisting with programs, religious services, etc. This is also a good time to ask for a tour of the facility. If you are still not sure, you are allowed several program visits to determine your commitment.
- If you are ready to commit, fill out an application and the IAC will begin the screening process. You are now on your way to becoming one of our many dedicated volunteers.
For more information contact:
The Institutional Activities Coordinator at the Correctional Center or the Volunteer Coordinator at the Probation and Parole Office at the location you wish to serve. For a list of facilities go to: https://doc.mo.gov/facilities/all
or contact:
Glenda Pratt
Partners in Corrections Coordinator
573-522-4625
Glenda.Pratt@doc.mo.gov
For print version of the information on this page:
Volunteer and Reentry Partner applicants shall complete the Application for Facility Access:
Application for Facility Access static printable
Application for Facility Access fillable PDF- download to your computer and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader
Student Intern applicants shall complete the Volunteer /Student Intern Application: