Prison Outreach
Working alongside Chaplain Ray Perez in the Prince William County Prison System, volunteers conduct Bible studies and worship services, special concerts, mentorship and counseling for inmates, as well as post-release support for former inmates.

“….I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25: 36

CLC Jail Outreach Summary

1. Teaching classes in the WIND (Women in New Directions) Dorm or MIND (Men in New Directions) Dorm with the following subject areas in mind:

• Career
• Financial
• Emotional
• Scriptural
• Family

This involves a weekly (or less if you team with someone) commitment of 1.5 – 2 hours to enter the PWC-ADC facility and teach men or women who have volunteered to be part of the program  (specific times depend on the day of the week and program your teaching).  This requires attending a badging session at the facility which involves a background check.  WCLC will provide basic training on how the program operates.

2. Mentoring

The mentoring program involves picking up an inmate from work release, bringing them to church service and returning them to the facility.  It’s key that inmates start integrating with a church family and explore different types of churches before their release.  It’s a great way for them to start a relationship with a church and the people in it.  Women will attend one service and men will attend another. 

3. Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is a vital element to the jail ministry.  The inmates are in constant need of intercession as they work to rebuild their lives as well as deal with the separation from their loved ones.  In addition, the volunteers that enter the facility are not only faced with the challenges of these inmates but in their own spirit as they enter a realm that the enemy has a stronghold over.

We have prayer requests that come from the inmates in the program, times of prayer for specific volunteers, prayer for Chaplain Perez, and prayer for the overall program.

4. Counseling / Crisis Counseling

There are inmates who need individualized attention and sometimes immediate needs requiring last minute visitation to the facility.  Being a licensed counselor is helpful, but definitely someone who has a heart to minister to people on a one-on-one / crisis basis is a must.

5. Monthly Bible Studies at Work Release

The first Sunday of each month we provide bible studies to the men and women at the work release program.  We need men and women who are lead to direct these studies.  It’s best if each team has 2 people to represent the church.

6. Fifth Sunday Celebration (quarterly)

We bring in a full team to provide a special service to a sub-population of the jail.  It’s in different locations within the jail each quarter depending on where the Chaplain puts us.  It takes the following ministries to accomplish this:  praise team, prayer team, preacher/speaker (sometimes male and female), sound support, and media support.  We also try to bring in special teams (God Step as an example)

7. Christmas Gift Program

As part of the Christmas. Gift program, the jail ministry receives a list of children and their incarcerated parents from the facility and we work to distribute that information to the congregation as well as collecting gifts and delivering (hand deliver or ship) them to the families.  We need people willing to help plan, collect, organize, and deliver these gifts approximately the 3rd week of December.

8. Post Release Programs

We are working with Chaplain Ray to be part of a region wide program where CLC would partner up with released inmates to provide them with positive role model fellowship.  The program is still in the planning phase.  Initially, we could use people interested in helping with the planning and implementation of this program.  Eventually, we’ll need people interested in being part of the fellowship program.

9. Spanish translators and teachers

PWC-ADC has a huge population of Spaish speaking inmates and we need individuals willing to teach classes, translate prayer requests, teaching materials, and potentially during quarterly services.

10. Financial Support

It is only because of the people who are led to financially support efforts that further the Kingdom which allows ministries like the jail ministry to serve people who hunger for what Christ has to offer them.  If you consider supporting the ministry, donations can be made through WCLC by designating ‘jail ministry’ on the offering envelope.

11. Other areas

While these are areas we are currently serving in, there are always opportunities for people to minister as their giftings lead them.  If you feel led in an area not listed, please contact me and we can discuss how to integrate your idea into the program. 

Above all, we are interested in reaching as many of the incarcerated as we can in a multi-angle approach that expresses the love of Christ through his people.

Anyone interested in more information can contact Tia V. Storey at 703-966-8037 or by email at tivo@tamos.net

“The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25.40