Guidelines and Application for Groups & Members Carrying the Message into Corrections Facilities
Download a printable copy of these Guidelines and sign-up form:
Guidelines for Carrying the Message into Correctional Facilities
Or submit your information using the on-line registration form.
An AA Service Opportunity Carrying the Message to Inside Members
If you desire to participate in this work, we suggest you read this pamphlet, complete and submit the attached application to the Area CFC. You will be contacted by an Outside Sponsor to start your participation.
Corrections facilities invite AA to bring AA meetings to problem drinkers in the facilities. An AA member or AA Group becomes the Outside Sponsor for the Inside Meeting. Members are scheduled to take the meeting into the facility on a weekly or monthly basis. Where members are available, Team Leaders take meetings into the facility once each month with other guest members. Outside Sponsors, Team Leaders and Panel Members attend facility orientation, so as to know and abide with the facility rules and regulations. Outside Sponsors coordinate the Team Leader schedules for 6 months or one year.
Guest Members submit their Date of Birth, Social Security number & Oregon Driver’s License number to a Team Leader or Outside Sponsor for the one-time clearance to attend an inside meeting. This information is required by the Facility to perform a quick background check prior to the visit by the Guest Member.
CF Committee, welcomes you as a member willing to share in this rewarding 12th step work. We deem it a privilege to be able to share our Experience Strength and Hope in a correctional facility – and we trust you do also. We are Guests of each facility and are expected to know and abide by their rules and regulations. We are expected to live up to certain standards we have set for ourselves – some of which are expressed on the Do’s and Don’ts. Please read them. You will be expected to act accordingly.
DO’S & DON’T’S
- Do – Have a valid Photo ID (i.e. driver’s license)
- Do – Check dress rules (i.e. no tight fitting clothes)
- Do – Keep your commitment, on time
- Do – Share your experience strength and hope
- Don’t – Use profane or vulgar language
- Don’t – Take anything in or out
- Don’t – Give personal information to Inmates
- Don’t – Talk about outside issues or drunk-a-log
- Don’t – Promise jobs or aid of any kind
Corrections Participation Requirements
Notes:
- These requirements are established by the Corrections Facility or Department
- Participating Members should be active members in the Fellowship
Oregon State Department of Corrections
- Two years’ sobriety
- Age: 21 years’ minimum
- 5 years since last felony conviction or release. No pending parole or probation.
- Submit to background check
- Attend 2-3 inside meetings prior to submitting clearance application.
- Be invited to attend DOC CTS orientation.
Oregon Youth Authority
- One-year sobriety (case by case basis)
- Age: 21 years’ minimum
- Clearance application may be submitted prior to attending inside meeting.
AA Corrections Service Positions
- Outside Sponsor: Schedule Members for meetings, provides clearance applications. 2 or more years’ sobriety with corrections experience. Has Facility Volunteer ID.
- Team Leader: Leads Guest Members into facility. Has Facility Volunteer ID.
- Panel Member: Member with one-time clearance or facility Volunteer ID
Contacting Regional Corrections Coordinators
Email: cfc@aa-oregon.org
Or write to: Oregon Area Corrections, 1900 NE 3rd St, Suite 106-500, Bend, OR 97701
Or ask your group’s General Service Rep to connect you with the Area CFC or Regional Corrections Coordinator for your local Area.
Suggested Readings: (AA Literature)
- Carrying the Message into Correctional Facilities
- Where Do I Go from Here?
- AA in Prison: Inmate to Inmate
- AA in Correctional Facilities: It Sure Beats Sitting in A Cell
- Memo to an Inmate Who May Be an Alcoholic
- A Message to Correctional Facility Administrators
Corrections Volunteer Registration Form