VWHI work in correctional facilities is divided up into these sections:
MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF’s OFFICE (MCSO) JAILS – Durango, Towers/Estrella, Lower Buckeye/4th Ave
MEN’ S UNITS :
Durango Jail: 3225 W. Gibson Lane, Phoenix, AZ, 85009
Lower Buckeye Jail (LBJ): 3250 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85009
4TH Avenue Jail: 201 S. 4th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85003
Towers Jail: 3127 W. Gibson Lane, Phoenix, AZ, 85009
WOMEN’S JAIL :
Estrella Jail: 2939 W. Durango Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85009
MCSO Volunteer Coordinator: Theresa McKenzie – 602.876.7207 or theresamckenzie@MCSO.Maricopa.gov
VOLUNTEERING
Men jails: Women may volunteer, but must be accompanied by another person; it does not have to be a male co-chair – it can be 2 women chairing at the men’s jails.
Estrella – women’s jail: Men may volunteer, but must be accompanied by another person; it does not have to be a female co-chair – it can be 2 men chairing at Estrella.
Sobriety requirements:
1) Two years of sobriety for a volunteer ID Badge (full access & may chair solo)
a. Submit MCSO application & required paperwork
b. Attend a 3-hour training class
c. Obtain a Valley Wide H&I Sponsorship Letter (which is the “Sponsoring Agency”) from the MCSO Liaison
d. Has fingerprints taken at the Sheriff’s office for a full background / criminal records clearance check
e. Once approved by MCSO, volunteer is issued a photo ID
2) One year of sobriety for a volunteer “Gate Pass” – volunteers may only enter with a “Badged” volunteer
a. Submit MCSO application & required paperwork
b. Obtain a Valley Wide H&I Sponsorship Letter (which is the “Sponsoring Agency”)
c. Once approved by MCSO, the volunteer receive
ALL applicants must be “Off Paper”:
• At least 1 year since serving a term of probation or parole; or since incarcerated on any charge – even if the charge is dismissed.
• Documentation of the end date of probation or parole is required.
• At least 1-year after incarceration resulting from a misdemeanor conviction.
• At least 3 years after incarceration resulting from a felony conviction.
The “Sponsorship Letter” is from the “Sponsoring Agency” – Valleywide H&I, (not your AA Steps Sponsor), which comes from the MCSO Liaison, mcso_liaison@vwhi.org.
The temporary “Gate Pass” can be completed electronically & issued by the MCSO Volunteer Coordinator, Theresa McKenzie. Scan & email the application, Handbook & PREA Acknowledgments along with a copy (front & back) of your driver’s license. The VWHI Liaison or Jail Coordinators can submit the Sponsorship Letter for a Gate Pass.
If you meet the 2 or more years sobriety requirements, you may want to start with the Gate Pass.
Some people prefer this route for several reasons:
- Faster turnaround time – electronically submitted & processed within a week
- You may co-chair with a “badged” volunteer while waiting for your own badge; until fingerprinting & training classes are scheduled / completed
- You are cleared to go in as a guest speaker
- If you have a fluctuating work schedule, you can see if this service work is a good ‘fit’ for you, without committing to a specific day or jail
Durango – Programs Asst. Officer Hooks – Current AA meetings:
✓ Fridays @ 10am in Programs Building
LBJ (Lower Buckeye Jail) – Programs Asst. Lynette Anderson – Current AA meetings:
✓ Sunday @ 4pm
✓ Tuesdays have two separate meetings @ 9am in different units
✓ Tuesday @ 6pm
✓ Wednesday @ 10am
✓ Wednesdays have two separate meetings @ 5pm in different units
✓ Sunday @ 4pm
Volunteers are needed – two meetings are requested:
FIRST OPENING – options are for ONE of the following days / times:
o Sundays – BETWEEN 1pm – 6pm
o Mondays – BETWEEN 3pm – 7pm
o Saturdays – BETWEEN Noon – 7pm
SECOND OPENING – options are for ONE of the following days / times:
o Sundays – BETWEEN 10am – 6pm
o Thursdays – BETWEEN 2pm –7pm
o Saturdays – BETWEEN 8am – 7pm
4th Avenue Jail – Programs Asst. Officer Chavez – Current AA meetings:
✓ Sundays have four separate meetings: 11am / 2pm / 3pm / 5pm
✓ Mondays have two separate meetings: 11:30am & 3:45pm
✓ Thursdays have two separate meetings @ 5pm in different units
Towers – Programs Asst. Officer Kaiser – Current AA meetings:
✓ Monday @ 4pm – Tower 1
✓ Tuesday @ 7pm – Tower 4
✓ Wednesday @ 5:30pm – Tower 5
✓ Thursday @ 3:30pm – Tower 6
✓ Friday @ 7pm – Tower 3
✓ Saturday @ 10am – Tower 2 – Volunteers are needed
Estrella – Programs Asst. Officer Ramos – Current AA meetings:
✓ Monday @ 11:30am
✓ Wednesday @ 5:30pm
✓ Friday @ 6pm
▪ All volunteers must be listed with the Control Desk at each jail where they are chairing (all meetings, days/times, & locations). The Jail Program Asst. will ensure volunteers’ info is given to the Control Desk.
ONLY LISTED VOLUNTEERS WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS INTO THE JAILS .
▪ Contact the VWHI Jail Coord. or MCSO Liaison to be added when chairing a new meeting or changing to a different meeting; day, time, or jail.
▪ Call the Control desk if you’re unable to attend your scheduled meeting – even if you have a sub in place, they need to know who’s coming, call if you’ll be late & end meetings on time.
Control Desk #s for each jail are listed in the back of the Volunteer Handbook.