Opportunities From: Volunteer SouthCoast

Massachusetts Department of Correction offers its inmates the opportunity to take part in educational, treatment and reintegration programs. They include mental health, educational, religious and substance abuse programs. The Massachusetts Department of Correction is seeking religious / spiritual mentors in the Muslim, Native American and Rastafaria traditions.

All Department of Correction volunteers will be required to attend an orientation program that will provide an understanding of the rules, responsibilities, and standard procedures of required conduct for all individuals who enter the correctional institution

The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking to expand its successful volunteer facilitated, evidence-based, cognitive skill workshop program. The Department is interested to train a second cadre of volunteers to meet the demand for the courses. The training will instruct participants on how to facilitate a Cognitive Skills workshop as well as provide a thorough understanding of the group process, classroom management skills, and the necessary requirements for being an effective group facilitator. Instructional strategies will include instructor led learning, group discussion, small group exercises, and role-playing exercises. The sequence of instruction and learning experiences are designed to equip trainees with the knowledge and skill to demonstrate the desired outcome of the lesson. The seven lesson plans include: Active Listening, Problem Solving, Asking For Help, Assertive Communication, Using Self-Control, Setting Goals and Negotiating.

Volunteers will be required to attend an orientation program that will provide an understanding of the rules, responsibilities, and standard procedures of required conduct for all individuals who enter the correctional institution.

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is a prison program that is helping inmates learn new skills and attitudes that lead to fulfilling and crime-free lives. AVP is an experiential program, helping people change their lives. Though founded by Quakers based on their belief in an inborn power for peace in everyone, it draws its participants and its trainers from all religious, races and walks of life. It is an intensive learning experience, offering three-day workshops on three levels: (1) the Basic Workshop, (2) the Advanced Workshop, (3) the Training for Trainers Workshop:

The Basic AVP Workshop is an intensive, three-day learning experience, which teaches interpersonal conflict resolution skills through a series of step-by-step processes. These experiences in small groups and one-to-one interactions build a sense of community and trust. AVP workshops seek to assist individuals in personal growth and change. AVP is not psychotherapy. Each workshop is limited to 20 participants.
The Advanced AVP workshop focuses on the underlying causes of violence, both in ourselves and in the world we live in. It is designed to give participants opportunities to rebuild community, review in depth the concept of Transforming Power and proceed to set individual and group goals for the focus of the remainder of the workshop.

The Training for Trainers Workshop is reserved for those who expect to be active volunteer facilitators in community &/or prison workshops. This workshop focuses on developing team building, leadership methods, and group process skills. Participants will work in small groups, actually functioning as facilitator. You will receive guidance and practice in facilitating all parts of a Basic Workshop.

In cooperation with the DOC the AVP programs are being coordinated by two private, non-profit citizen prison volunteer organizations. Presently the AVP program is active in 7 Department of Correction facilities and will soon expand. The recruitment of additional volunteers is necessary to meet the current needs and future expansion of the program.

Volunteers will be required to attend a Department of Orientation program

The Massachusetts Department recognizes that Alcohol and Substance Abuse and Addiction is a complex, multidimensional illness that must be understood in the context of an individual's history, personality, and environment. We are looking for volunteers to provide life skills programming, substance abuse groups, and other community resource information.

Volunteers will be required to attend an orientation program that will provide an understanding of the rules, responsibilities, and standard procedures of required conduct for all individuals who enter the correctional institution.

The Department of Correction offers its inmates the opportunity to take part in educational, treatment and reintegration programs. They include mental health, educational, employment, religious and substance abuse programs. Presently, the Department is seeking to secure English and/or Spanish speaking volunteers to facilitate Narcotics Anonymous programs

Volunteers will be required to attend an orientation program that will provide an understanding of the rules, responsibilities, and standard procedures of required conduct for all individuals who enter the correctional institution.

The Department of Correction offers its inmates the opportunity to take part in educational, treatment and reintegration programs. They include mental health, educational, employment, religious and substance abuse programs. Presently, the Department is seeking to secure volunteers to facilitate seeking parenting mentor volunteers to be trained to facilitate a curriculum that is designed to assist incarcerated parents in developing skills to become more involved, responsible and supportive while incarcerated. The program is also designed for incarcerated parents, once trained and certified, to facilitate program and to mentor to other inmates or peers. The program will be delivered in nine weekly sessions in a small group format.

Volunteers will be required to attend an orientation program that will provide an understanding of the rules, responsibilities, and standard procedures of required conduct for all individuals who enter the correctional institution