(From the O.C.P.M. Website)
1. Be yourself.
2. Be an understanding friend and a good listener.
3. Be honest.
4. Be consistent and dependable.
5. Be willing to learn.
6. Be prepared for the reality. Have a plan and follow it.
7. Always be respectful of and work with the chaplain and the correctional facility administration and staff.
8. Dress appropriately.
9. Know and follow the rules of the institution.
10. When in doubt, ask.
11. Develop the trust and confidence of the staff and administration as well as the inmates.
12. Honor your commitments.
13. Respect confidentiality.
14. Be punctual. Both the inmates and the correctional facility will expect you to be on time, arriving and leaving.
15. Be cautious. Some inmates will try to con you or manipulate you.
16. Make sure that you have permission to distribute Bibles and Christian literature before doing so.
17. Encourage the inmates to study the Bible and to enroll in correspondence courses.
18. Always invite the inmates to pray with you.
19. Talk to the inmates about general topics as well.
20. Do not become involved in an ego trip.
21. Do not make promises that you cannot or will not keep.
22. Do not do errands for inmates or act as a go-between. Do not send money or anything else to inmates.
23. Do not bring anything to an inmate or out from an inmate without checking with the authorities first.
24. Do not ask about an inmate’s crime.
25. Do not get involved in the inmate’s legal problems.
26. Do not give out your personal address or telephone number. Use the church address or a P.O. Box.
IF YOUR QUESTION IS NOT ANSWERED IN THIS LIST THEN ASK ST. SERAPHIM'S FIRST BEFORE YOU ACT!
http://prison-guidelines.blogspot.com/2009/03/prison-ministry-guidlines.html
