Are you interested in providing one-on-one in person counseling to the guys in jail? We get requests for Catholic counseling, and currently aren’t fulfilling all the requests. The guys really appreciate the visits, and they are rewarding for us volunteers. If it’s something you would like to try, this page gives some more information. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
You can do the one-on-one visit on the same day that you do your service, or on another day, if you prefer. Requests from inmates for one-on-one in person counseling are in box on the desk in the lobby. There’s a manila folder for the requests for Catholic one-on-one visits. If the tank order asks for a specific Catholic volunteer by name, and it’s not you, the you should assume that the named volunteer will take care of the tank order.
How to get to the visitation room
To meet with the man who requested counseling, take the tank order to the House (aka Unit) where the man is located (as indicated on the tank order). Go the Correction Officer (CO) at the core (where all the computer monitors are) and tell them you want to do a one-on-one visit, and give them the man’s name, pod number, cell number, and bed number (these are all on the tank order). If it’s OK, the CO will bring the man to the visitation room.
The visitation rooms are in the hallway between the core and the exit, on the left side. They are marked as visiting rooms 1, 2 and 3. Number 3 is closest to the core. Choose number 3 if it’s not in use. If it’s in use, choose 2, or 1. They will bring the inmate to the visiting room.
There is a plexiglass window between you and the inmate. The sound quality isn’t the greatest, and you have to speak up to be heard.
Suggestions for the one-on-one visit
What do you do at the one-on-one visit? This is completely up to you. Some of you already know what to do and don’t need suggestions. For those that do, I will tell you what I do, and what my experience has been. If you have suggestions, please let me know, and I’ll update this page.
Typically, the man will have no idea who you are or why you’re visiting. Sometimes they have forgotten that they have submitted a tank order. I tell the man my first name, and that I am from the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, and that I’m visiting him because of the tank order he submitted. I tell him that I am here to serve him, and ask him what he would like out of the counseling session. Most times, he doesn’t really have a good idea, except that he know it’s religious counseling. I tell him that we can talk about him and how he’s doing and feeling. I get to know him a little bit. Is he in contact with his family? Does he have kids? A wife? Siblings? I tell him that I’m not there to talk about his case, but I know that lawyer visits and upcoming court dates are on his mind, so we can talk about that at a superficial level. I ask him what’s worrying him the most at this time. He may say relapse to drugs when he gets out, or going to DOC, or a family relationship. This is just ‘chatting’. I usually keep notes so I can remember stuff if I meet with him again. I always bring a Bible passage to read and discuss, if there is time. I spend at least 5 minutes in prayer to end the session, remembering to focus on asking for intercession for his needs, asking him if he wants to state his intentions, and saying some common prayers, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Memorare, etc.
For me, the visit is typically a half an hour long. If the man is really talkative, and if I have time, it may be an hour. I think that the visit time is limited to an hour.
I always ask the man if he wants follow up visits. This is up to you. If you ask, he will usually say yes, and it gives you an opportunity to develop a relationship with him. I typically meet weekly with him, if he wants (which he usually does). To do a follow up visit, ask him to put in another tank order, and to request you by your first name. When other Catholic volunteers see that the tank order is for you, then they won’t visit him. At that point, I can ask the Chaplain if we will be allowed to visit the inmate weekly without a tank order each time – I’ll follow up on whether or not this is permitted.
Problems that come up
A couple of times, I have had a guy come to the visit, and they don’t recall submitting a tank order, and don’t want a visit. In this case just politely agree that you won’t have a visit.
It’s not a problem to find things to talk about for one half hour. If conversation stalls, I always have the Bible reading ready. And we can spend more time in prayer if needed.
It’s natural that tears will arise sometimes. Just console the man and let him know you understand. Unfortunately, we can’t give them tissues through the plexiglass barrier.
After the visit
After the visit, write ‘Completed’ on the top of the tank order, and return it to the bins next to the door of the Chaplain’s. If you’re going into the jail, it’s the door after the scanner, and before the sally port door, on the right hand side of the hallway. There’s a manila folder that says something like ‘Completed 1-on-1’. Also, please send a text or email to Joe telling him you did the visit and the duration of the visit. You can also tell him the inmate’s name if you want, and any other information you may want logged. Joe will log this information, and it will show up on the Volunteer Statistics sheet (here).