Volunteer Programs

At IDOC, volunteers assist in various ways, ranging from mentoring and meeting the religious needs of individuals in custody, to offering alcohol and drug rehabilitation such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Volunteers tutor, hold church services and Bible studies, as well as classes on parenting, art, music, poetry, and literacy. At IDOC, thousands of volunteers provide programs and services that would not otherwise be available.

Volunteers are subject to background checks and are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Department and the facility. Volunteer information sheets and applications are available upon request.

Each facility has a Volunteer Services Coordinator, who schedules and corresponds with volunteers, facility chaplains, facility administrators, and staff to ensure programming is available. Those interested in volunteering should contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator at the respective facility; the facility addresses, and phone numbers are under the Facilities link. Volunteer Service Coordinators also gather outside donations for programs. Readily accepted donations include religious items, fiction books, craft materials, unused greeting cards, and gently used toys. IDOC’s full Donation Protocol is below.

Please submit additional inquiries related to volunteer services via email to DOC.volunteerservices@illinois.gov.

Donation Protocol

IDOC is deeply grateful for the generosity of individuals and groups who wish to make donations of items for individuals in custody. The Department cannot and does not solicit donations and while donations are appreciated there is a process that must occur prior to a donation being accepted. The facility where items are being donated need the following information:

1.             Specific information on what is being donated

2.             The fair market value of the item(s)

3.             The number of individuals who will benefit from the item(s)

4.             The date the donations will be delivered

5.             Name of the donor

Once this information is received, the Department will assess whether the donation meets our guidelines and will provide a determination on whether the donation(s) are approved.

Please do not send donations prior to receiving approval.