Over-rides, Books, and News

On Monday and Tuesday (8/12 and 8/13) we had over-ride in the Dorms, Level 2, and Level 3. The DOs have told our volunteers that the over-ride is due to staffing shortages. This post is just so you’ll be aware, and let you know you might want to call ahead before you go to the jail to check the status. The number to call is 602-876-6001. It’s not a perfect solution. The jail, or your pods, may go on or off over-ride after you call, but it’s most likely that if it’s on over-ride when you call, it will be when you get there.

Since I’m doing post anyway, I’ll take the time to let you know about books, and give some LBJ Catholic Volunteer news.

Have you ever thought about sending a book to one of the guys in jail? We aren’t allowed to pass out materials such as books or Holy Cards during our service (for a complete list of restricted items, see your handbook, Section XII; if you don’t have your handbook anymore, a link is here). However, a book can be sent directly from the publisher e.g. Amazon. I have sent several. For me, it’s a nice way to evangelize the man I send it to, and when he’s done with the book, it will likely be passed around to others. I don’t go out of my way ‘pushing’ books, but if it’s a good Catholic religious book that I’ve read and like, and the guy expresses an interest in the topic of the book, then I consider it. My wife and I view the cost of the book as part of our charitable giving.

If you interested, you can send a book directly to the inmate from Amazon.com. It must be a new book – they won’t allow the inmates to get used books. You need to know the inmates full name and booking number. Then, on Amazon, you use a shipping address as follows (I’ll use John Doe as the name, and T123456 as the booking number):

John Doe T123456
Lower Buckeye Jail
3250 W. Lower Buckeye Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85009-6729

I’m not making any guarantees, but I’ve sent 6 books and they all got through to the different inmates. The only time it failed is when I sent a used book, which is how I learned that used books are not allowed. And in that case I got a refund for the book.

Now for some news you may (or may not 😊) be interested in:

1. We have a new Chaplain at LBJ. Our previous Chaplain, Michael Andrews, has gone to a different jail. Our new Chaplain is Art Herrera. I have talked to him, and have a favorable impression. One thing I noticed, which I think is nice, is that he has already taken the time to get out and meet some of our volunteers at their services. He may be meeting you soon!
2. We got a new Volunteer Coordinator for LBJ. The previous Volunteer Coordinator was Bridget Mack. Bridget got promoted, and we had Valerie Henderson as our acting Volunteer Coordinator. The new coordinator is Theresa McKenzie. Her number is 602-876-7207. You typically won’t have a need to interact with Theresa, except maybe when your badge is up for renewal.
3. We have some volunteer and schedule changes:
   • Deacon Paul Hursh will no longer be serving at LBJ. Thanks for his service, and we’d love him back if his circumstances change.
   • Jeanne and Judy will no longer be serving the juveniles at 9:00 AM on Thursday. That time is too early for the boys, and turnout wasn’t very good. Likely Jeanne and Judy will move to serving woman at Estrella jail. We’ll miss Jeanne and Judy, but our loss is Estrella’s gain.
   • Ed Maryniak will move to the time slot that Deacon Paul previously served: Level 2, Monday, 1:00 PM, pod 24A.
   • We have two new slots on Friday, at 11:00 and 12:00 for pods 33A and 33B. We found out that there are transgender inmates housed in 33A. We don’t currently have a volunteer for these time slots.
   • We found out that chapel services are not allowed for 34A. I was told that this pod is housing guys who have gotten into some trouble, and they aren’t allowed to get of their cells for Chapel service.
   • We added two new time slots for Level 1 on Friday. We previously had an 11:00 time slot, and we have added 12:00 and 1:00. Joe and Rick serve the 11:00 time slot, and this change will allow them to add at least one more service on Friday.

That’s enough for now. God Bless, and thanks for all you do!