Corrections Committee
Cooperation With Correctional Facilities
If you've ever been in jail then you know that the AA meetings brought to guests of the county can be a life saver. Taking meetings into the jail is a powerful way to give back to our friends behind bars; District 15 invites you to partner with our Corrections Committee. Become part of a dedicated team that takes AA meetings into the Clackamas County Jail. The Men's and Women's Corrections Committees will hold meetings on an 'ad hoc' basis to address problems or to take stock of our effectiveness in carrying the message of recovery at the Clackamas County Jail. For more info contact district15womenscorrections@gmail.com (womens) or corrections@aaorrgondistrict15.org (mens)
Read the section below on "How to Get Into The County Jail" for information on required information and forms to fill out to get clearance.
M-45i - Cooperation with Correctional Facilities Workbook
How to Get Into The County Jail
There is a new process for volunteering at the jail. If you are interested in volunteering, you are welcome to go to the Clackamas County Jail website, https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/jailvolunteer.html and fill out an application and email the application to Officer Norm Johnson at: normjoh@co.clackamas.or.us
There is a new Volunteer Guideline Manual on the jail website to read. To qualify, you need to have no felony or misdemeanor convictions and no incarcerations in the past five years. From time to time, Volunteer Orientation classes for new volunteers will be held.
The Clackamas Country Jail has a dress code policy. This policy will be enforced both for the jail tour and for all volunteers inside the jail. Please consult the Volunteer Guideline Manual for the details of this policy.
When you have been cleared as a volunteer to enter the Clackamas County Jail, contact the Corrections Committee by email (for both men and women).
Read the CCJ Clearance Orientation Written Agreement (COWA).
Read and fill out the Statement of Personal History (SPH).
Submit the COWA and SPH to the Men's or Women's Corrections Chairman for District 15.
Read and carry the Waiver of Liability with you the first time you come to CCJ. It will be signed in the presence of a Corrections Officer.
Once you complete these steps, stay in contact with your District 15 Women's or Men's Corrections Chairperson to ensure that you have a meeting waiting when your approval comes in.
Jail Meeting Guidelines
The purpose of the Men's and Women's Corrections Committees is to coordinate the work of individual AA members who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in correctional facilities, for the most part in Clackamas County Jail.
Volunteers should be aware that we work under the direction and authority of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Department. In order to better facilitate a harmonious relationship with them and to enhance our effectiveness in carrying the message of recovery to the inmates of the jail, please note the following guidelines. It is also worth noting that among the following guidelines, most originate from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Department and are to be considered rules and regulations to which we must adhere; they go beyond mere suggestions:
First, each volunteer must go through the application process laid out above. Volunteers should become thoroughly familiar with the Clackamas County Jail Volunteer Handbook and attend an orientation meeting at the Clackamas County Jail facilitated by the Sheriff's Department. Naturally, volunteers must obey all rules and regulations as outlined by the administration of the facility and treat all CCJ officers, officials, and employees with deference and respect. It is also to be emphasized that volunteers must refrain from interceding on behalf of any individual or group of individuals affected by the decisions of the facility administration and refrain from engaging in any controversy over management, treatment of personnel or inmates. Simply put, we must be ever-mindful of the single purpose of our meetings.
Be aware that we must never give anything to an inmate other than the approved AA literature provided by the District 15 Corrections Committee and that we must never receive anything from an inmate. The policy here is "Nothing in –Nothing out".
It is strongly suggested that AA volunteers refrain from using any profanity, jokes unrelated to sound practice in carrying the AA message, or off-color or sexually suggestive comments during our meetings.
It is strongly suggested that AA volunteers have at least one year of continuous sobriety. AA volunteers are urged – but not required - to encourage other sober AA members to become volunteers and participate as a volunteer in Corrections Committee work.