Sec. 12.12.17.03. Volunteer Services

A. The members of the public are encouraged to participate in inmate volunteer activities.

B. The Coordinator, serving under the supervision of the Warden, shall be responsible for the coordination of all volunteer activities, volunteer groups, and religious education classes within the Institution.

C. The Institution encourages the activities of self-help and self-improvement groups consistent with the rules, regulations, and operational capabilities of the Institution.

D. A Volunteer Advisory Committee shall assist the Coordinator. A Volunteer Advisory Committee shall include one representative and alternate of each of the volunteer activities scheduled at the Institution quarterly or more frequently. Committee members shall be approved by and serve at the pleasure of the Director. The Director may appoint a volunteer representative at the recommendation of the Coordinator, the Chaplain, or the Warden.

E. Volunteer activities shall be scheduled at least 1 week in advance for regularly scheduled weekly activities and 60 days in advance for special events or programs. Notification shall include identification of all volunteers scheduled to enter the Institution and all equipment or materials necessary for the function. Cancellation of any program shall be made at the earliest possible time by notifying the shift commander and all departments involved in the scheduled function.

F. Volunteer Services Program Management.

(1) The Warden and the Coordinator shall develop annual goal statements based on needs assessment results and direction from the Director.

(2) Each registered volunteer shall have a written assignment description prepared by the Coordinator.

(3) The Warden and the Coordinator shall recruit volunteers from all cultural and socioeconomic segments of the community.

(4) The Warden shall ensure that gifts, contributions, and donations to the Institution are accepted and processed per Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning Procurement Regulation 02.01.08.

G. Selection.

(1) The Coordinator shall ensure that each volunteer applicant is screened using the following methods:

(a) Personal interview;

(b) Completion of application for volunteer service;

(c) Investigation of credentials, if credentials are germane to volunteer services; and

(d) Criminal history investigation using, at a minimum, the following screens:

(i) Maryland CCH IDENT/INDEX and Criminal History Record Information,

(ii) FBI check using transaction codes CCH and CCF,

(iii) OBSCIS II,

(iv) Motor vehicle records, and

(v) Fingerprinting followed by submission of prints to the FBI for identification, at the Warden's discretion.

(2) A citizen participant, an employee volunteer, or a material or monetary donor may receive a less stringent screening at the discretion of the Director.

(3) A person with a criminal record or a former inmate, whether previously incarcerated, or on supervised parole or supervised probation, may be accepted as a registered volunteer with the approval of the Director, with the following stipulations:

(a) The person may not be selected for service other than as a citizen participant until 1 year has elapsed after termination of supervision by closure or abatement through any criminal justice agency;

(b) The person may not have been arrested since termination from supervision;

(c) A person who has had a condition of supervision requiring drug abuse treatment shall also provide as a reference the name of his or her most recent parole or probation agent, or his or her substance abuse treatment counselor.

(4) An employee volunteer shall sign an agreement to volunteer.

(5) The application of any volunteer applicant who is rejected by the Warden, along with the rationale for rejection, shall be forwarded to the Director for a final determination.

H. Volunteer Orientation.

(1) A registered volunteer shall receive standardized orientation and shall sign required documents stating that orientation has been received.

(2) Orientation shall be conducted by the Coordinator and shall include, at a minimum:

(a) Basic rules and regulations which affect a volunteer; and

(b) A description of Institution programs and operations.

(3) A citizen participant may receive a more cursory orientation at the discretion of the Director.

I. A volunteer will begin providing services only after receiving orientation and shall be assigned a staff supervisor.

J. The Coordinator shall provide special skills training as needed.

K. A supervisor of a volunteer shall work cooperatively with the Coordinator to ensure adequate supervision of volunteer efforts.

L. Volunteer Access to the Institution.

(1) A volunteer shall sign a volunteer log as provided by the Institution upon entering and leaving the Institution.

(2) Search Procedures.

(a) A volunteer is subject to routine search procedures.

(b) A volunteer shall sign authorization for a clothed body search. Refusal to consent to a clothed body search shall result in denial of access to the Institution.

(c) A volunteer shall sign an authorization for a strip search if the Warden has determined that reasonable suspicion exists. Refusal to consent to a strip search shall result in denial of access to the Institution.