Volunteer

Prison Monitors

Prison Monitors address issues and concerns raised by incarcerated people, families, and friends and go into prisons to monitor and report on conditions.

Prison Monitors sit down one-on-one with incarcerated people who are experiencing problems and elevate concerns directly with staff or others who may be able to help when conditions impact health and safety.

Is Volunteering as a Prison Monitor Right For You?

Volunteering as a Prison Monitor is a significant responsibility that requires dedication, empathy, and a level-headed approach–it’s also an incredibly rewarding way to make a difference. Here are the key qualities we look for in volunteer prison monitors: 

• Empathetic listening
• Excellent communication
• Emotional steadiness
• Comfort with email and online forms
• Reliable transportation
• Able to consistently dedicate a half-day per month to visiting correctional facilities

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply today to become a Prison Monitor.  We are particularly interested in hearing from people who live in or around Erie, Venango, Forest, Crawford, Warren, Schuylkill, and Northumberland counties.

Application Process & Fee:

The first step to becoming a Prison Monitor is to fill out your application. 

There is a $40 application fee. If this fee presents a financial hardship, please contact us at helpline@prisonsociety.org to discuss alternative options.

Please note that the application process is selective, and not all applicants will be approved.

Mentors

As a Prison Society mentor, you’ll provide a listening ear and personal support while encouraging individuals to determine their own path forward.

Our mentoring program is for men returning to the community from incarceration. Each year more than 12,000 individuals return home, and a staggering 34% of them will return to prison within one year. The mentoring program is designed to help ease the transition from incarceration back to communities by providing a helping hand and a social support network. Participation in the program is completely voluntary.

Mentors are expected to meet with their mentee(s) on a weekly basis while they are incarcerated, and are encouraged to continue meeting according to a self-determined schedule post-release. “Showing up” matters, and we ask that all volunteer mentors commit to at least 12 months of service once assigned to a mentee. The Prison Society will provide ongoing training and support to both mentors and mentees. Eligible mentors cannot have been incarcerated in a Pennsylvania facility within the last 12 months.