Prison volunteering - The Message

Prison volunteering

Volunteering in prison is both rewarding and challenging. This kind of role won’t suit everyone but, if it’s the right fit for you, you might find it’s a powerful way that God can work through you.

We need to safeguard volunteers, staff and prisoners so there are a number of important steps we need to take before a person can volunteer.

How to become a volunteer

  1. Check your location
    We currently work in prisons in London, the north east, the north west and the midlands of England. In Wales, we work in both the north and south. If you live elsewhere in the UK, please take a look at Alpha in Prisons and Prison Fellowship who may have opportunities in your area.
  2. Express your interest
    If you live in one of the regions we work in, please email our team using the link below. We’ll ask you about your availability, experience and faith.
  3. Gather references
    If we think we can take your interest forward, we’ll contact you to let you know and ask you to gather references. As a central part of our work is sharing the gospel, one of these will need to be from your church leader.
  4. Meet us for a coffee
    Your local Prisons Outreach Officer will invite you to meet for a coffee. They’ll ask you about why you want to get involved and chat about your availability. After the meeting our Prisons team will decide if you’re suitable for the next stage of the process. We’ll email you to let you know.
  5. Attend a first visit
    Once we’ve received appropriate references, we’ll arrange a first visit to prison. A chapel service is a good place to start as the presence of a new person is less likely to disrupt a bigger group session. Before the visit, you’ll be given a security briefing. On the day, you’ll get a clear briefing beforehand and spend time debriefing afterwards with the Prisons Outreach Officer.
  6. Official vetting
    If you and your local Prisons Outreach Officer agree that you should go forwards as a new volunteer, vetting will be completed through the prison chaplain. Once your vetting’s cleared, you’ll be added onto the Message in Prisons app and your Prisons Outreach Officer will plan next steps with you.
  7. Join the team
    Time to celebrate! After all these important steps are completed you’ll join the team and get stuck in with delivering our ministries in prison.

Next steps