The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC/DOC) oversees the state’s prisons.
The Denver Sheriff’s Department (DSD) is in charge of the jails in the City and County of Denver
You can apply to volunteer with either or both agencies, but you must complete all mandatory training for a facility before you can gain access.
Be sure you understand which facility you want to access and which agency oversees it before you apply and do training!
Only apply for clearance with an agency if you are committed to showing up.
DSD and CDOC both require volunteers to be at least three years “off paper” before they can volunteer.
This means at least three years must have passed since you completed all sentence requirements for any criminal convictions (incarceration, probation or parole).
People convicted of sex crimes are not eligible to volunteer.
CDOC will deny access to people convicted of assaulting a peace officer or corrections officer.
Agencies may disqualify volunteers for other reasons or specific charges, on a case-by-case basis. As long as the time limit is met, prior convictions are not a problem in most cases!
Agencies allow people with a broad range of prior convictions to volunteer. People with non-disqualifying convictions are encouraged to apply, as long as the three year requirement has been met!
Once the background check is approved, DSD and CDOC require all volunteers to complete mandatory training.
CDOC Basic Volunteer Training (BVT) is an online video conference that takes most of the day on Saturday. BVT is offered once a month.
After BVT is completed, volunteers must complete a facility tour. Tours are offered once a month on a weeknight evening.
If you can't complete an all-day online class on a Saturday and facility tour on a weeknight evening, DO NOT VOLUNTEER for programs in CDOC facilities!
Once the online class and facility tour are completed, you will be cleared to access CDOC facilities.
DSD requires volunteers to complete New Employee Orientation (NEO). NEO is an all day, in-person training on a Tuesday.
If you can't attend an all-day class on a Tuesday, DO NOT VOLUNTEER for programs in DSD facilities!
Once NEO is completed, you will be cleared to access DSD facilities, usually by the next day.
If you cannot complete the mandatory training for an agency, please don't apply to volunteer in that agency's facilities!
DSD handles all jails in the City and County of Denver.
Jails house people awaiting trial for any type of crime, or serving shorter sentences (generally less than a year).
Everyone goes to a DSD jail when they are arrested in Denver, regardless of the crime.
The Downtown Detention Center (DDC) and Denver County Jail are DDC facilities.
DOC facilities house people who are convicted of felonies (one year to life).
DRDC is the intake facility for all male inmates in the state prison system.
Most DRDC inmates are awaiting long-term placements at other facilities.
DRDC is primarily a short-term facility. Some inmates are there for medical treatment.
DWCF is one of two women’s prisons in the state.
DWCF houses women with all lengths of sentences and security classifications (months to life, medium to maximum security).
If you would like to make a commitment to take meetings into one or more facilities on an ongoing basis, apply to volunteer.
Do not apply for clearance with an agency unless you are serious about volunteering in that agency's facilities.
Make sure you can complete mandatory training requirements before request clearance.
Only apply if you are willing to make a meaningful commitment.