Volunteer Process

• To begin the volunteer process, print the attached Religious Volunteer Application and Reference Evaluation Form.
• Completely fill out both pages of the Religious Volunteer Application, being sure to sign and date the second page.
• Please ask your pastor or minister to complete the Reference Evaluation form. (The reference form is waived for Professional Clergy.)
• Mail or fax all completed forms to the Department of Corrections Chaplaincy Programs office. (See form header)
• Once the necessary forms have been received by the Department of Corrections, a criminal history background check will be completed.
• The next required step is attending an orientation session.

Anchorage Bowl Area: Approximately two weeks before the next scheduled group orientation, letters will be sent out to everyone with a completed pending application. Training sessions are held at the Department of Corrections Anchorage Central Office, usually on a weekday evening from 6:00-9:30 p.m.

Outside of Anchorage Bowl Area: The chaplain assigned to the local Department of Corrections prison will contact volunteers and arrange for a group or individual volunteer orientation session. Training sessions may be held at a local church or at the prison.

• Upon completion of the orientation session, Volunteer Authorization Cards will be issued. These should be signed upon receipt and then laminated.