Volunteering

Eligibility & Qualifications

Anyone interested in volunteering must complete an application, submit to a background investigation, and disclose all associates, friends, and relatives who are incarcerated or under VADOC supervision. Volunteers must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• Must be 18 years of age or older and possess valid, government-issued identification.
• Must not be under VADOC supervision, however, exceptions may be granted.
• Be of good reputation, good character, and have a desire to serve humanity.

Volunteers are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, social, economic and education level or religious affiliation.

Volunteer Tips

• Individuals who wish to volunteer can set themselves up for success by shadowing an experienced volunteer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — VADOC employees are happy to help.
• To find out more about volunteering and who is eligible to volunteer please read Operating Procedure 027.1 Volunteer Program and Internships
• For general questions and inquiries in reference to volunteer opportunities please email us at VADOC Volunteer Inquiry Mailbox

Available Volunteer Roles

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  Local Facility Volunteer

  Local Volunteers provide services to assist the facility staff, help deliver programming to the inmates, provide substance abuse programming educational services and participating in faith-based programming to help inmates make productive use of their time while incarcerated.

  If you provide services in the following areas:

  Faith-based, Education, Alcohol and Drug Intervention, Education, Interviewing Skills, Resume writing or Victim Awareness we welcome you to apply to be a Local Volunteer. Please reach out to the facility in which you would like to volunteer your services to speak with the volunteer coordinator for that facility.

• 

  Statewide Volunteer

  After having served as a local unit volunteer for at least one year at one or more VADOC facilities, and you intend to regularly volunteer, as needed, at multiple facilities in various parts of the state, application can be made to become a statewide volunteer. A positive reference or recommendation from the volunteer coordinator of the facility(ies) where you volunteered is required. For more information call (804) 674-3000 to speak with the Statewide Volunteer Coordinator.

• 

  Local Reentry Resource Volunteer

  Reentry Resource Volunteers provide services to enhance an individual’s skills and knowledge base pre-release, assisting them in developing strategies for a successful transition back to their families and communities.

  If you provide services in the following areas:

  Parenting, Employment, Financial Counseling, Veterans Support, Education, Entrepreneurship, Transportation and Housing, or any other service which assist in overcoming barriers to success; we welcome your application to become a Local Reentry Resource Volunteer. Please reach out to the facility in which you would like to volunteer your services to speak with the volunteer coordinator for that facility.

• 

  Statewide Re-entry Resource Volunteer

  After having served as a local reentry volunteer for at least one year at one or more VADOC facilities, and you intend to regularly volunteer, as needed, at multiple facilities in various parts of the state application can be made to become a statewide reentry volunteer. A reference or recommendation from the volunteer coordinator of the facility(ies) where you volunteered is required. For more information call (804) 674-3000 to speak with the Workforce Development Manager.

How to Apply

Please have all the following necessary information ready and available when you start your application. Submitted applications cannot be edited and incomplete applications cannot be submitted.

• Volunteer Application package. You may use Acrobat Adobe to digitally sign or print the package and complete them by hand. If you hand write the attachments, please ensure your writing is legible. Illegible forms will not be processed.
  • Please ensure you sign and date each and every form separately.
  • Please name the file as “Volunteer Application package_LastNameFirstName”
    • For example - “Volunteer Application package_SmithJohn”
• A clean clear copy of government issued ID. Examples of a valid government issued identification are a driver's license, birth certificate, passport, DMV issued ID or social security card.
  • Please name the file “Government ID_Lastname First Name”
    • For example – Government ID_SmithJohn
• A digital picture (jpeg format) of your head and shoulder area. The digital picture can be taken with a smartphone.
  • Please name the file “Applicant's Photograph_LastNameFirstName”
    • For example – Applicant’s Photograph_SmithJohn

You will be prompted to upload all these documents at the end of the application process. If fingerprinting is required, you will be contacted, and arrangements will be made to complete this part of the process.