Books Beyond Volunteer Information

On average, about 3 hours a week per inmate assignment. Work is done during normal visiting hours at the correctional facility and can be done during the daytime, evening, or on weekends.

Desire to help build connections between parents and children in families separated by incarceration.
Love of books and reading.
Ability to conduct relaxed conversation and to help inmates feel at ease when reading aloud.
Ability to offer brief, practical suggestions to help inmates achieve the best results when reading aloud.
Ability to tolerate less than ideal recording situations (background noise, time limits, etc)
Belief that prison inmates and their families are worthy of your attention, respect, time, and patience.

Volunteers must attend a day-long New Employee Orientation at the Department of Corrections, which is conducted on Monday every month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Volunteers must fill out a Department of Corrections form to gain access to buildings, which includes a criminal background check.
Volunteers must have a photo ID, created at the Department of Corrections Intake Center.
Volunteers must attend a one-hour Books Beyond training.