Catholic Jail Ministry
Over 90 percent of inmates accepted in the Catholic Jail Ministry have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior in County Jail. More than 40 volunteers work in the jails conducting weekly chapel services, Bible Studies and one-on-one visits.
Thousands of volunteer hours are dedicated to evangelism, worship and discipleship, with nearly 7,000 inmates reached in the past three years.
Below are some of the ways you can get involved in the Catholic Jail Ministry:
- Preaching or Teaching: Go into a specific jail and hold a weekly or bi-weekly service to share the Gospel Message of Christ.
- One-on-One Visitation: Meet with a man or woman in county jail that requests a visit from someone from the Christian community.
- Juvenile Ministry: Meet with a group of juveniles in jail and hold weekly or bi-weekly services. One-on-one visits may be done here as well.
- Pen Pal Ministry: A correspondence program that allows you to write to a prisoner who needs encouragement.
How to become a volunteer:
- Very simply, fill out an Catholic Jail Ministry Volunteer Application, for badged and non-badged positions, and return it to our office.
- You will then contacted to set up a date for a volunteer interview, which will help us meet your desires and your call to serve in the ministry.
- You must then attend a orientation that will provide information about the Catholic Jail Ministry and its mission.
- To become a “badged” volunteer and serve in the Alachua County jails, you must:
1. Complete a four-page application; previous charges and convictions may not disqualify you.
2. Be at least 21 years of age.
3. Must have your fingerprints taken.
4. Must complete a Alachua County Sheriffs Office volunteer training course.