Voluntary Service in Prisons and Jails: the Motivations, Experiences, and Consequences of Community Volunteers

• In Event: Community Volunteers in Prisons and Jails: Examining the Nature and Context of Service Provision

Abstract

This paper will report on qualitative, interview-based research examining the motivations and experiences of volunteers providing programming, including education, art, and faith-based programs, in jails and prisons at various locations within the US. The paper will include perspectives of formerly incarcerated individuals who have returned to facilities, or will be returning to facilities, as volunteers. Further, the volunteers’ contributions to jails and prisons will be examined in regards to potential influence on prison culture, impact on the experiences of incarcerated individuals, and in terms of the variation that exists between facilities based on the nature and degree of volunteer involvement. The findings will be assessed within the context of increasing reliance on volunteers and nonprofit organizations for service provision. Cross-cultural perspectives and regional differences will be addressed.

Author

• Emma Hughes, California State University, Fresno