FamilySearch Correctional Facility Services - Prison Ministry

PURPOSE

The FamilySearch purpose statement is, “We enable inspiring journeys that bring joy to all people as they discover, gather, and connect their family – past, present, and future.” Serving the patrons in correctional facilities strives to accomplish our purpose statement by providing useful family-history related experiences that bless their lives.

Serving patrons in a correctional facility is challenging. It requires a background check and additional training that is different from many other missionary responsibilities. It may also be your most rewarding service opportunity. Because our patrons are in an extremely restricted environment, opening access via the web to FamilySearch-related content is a blessing. Creating heart-turning experiences that lead to family reunification is one of the significant rewards you will see while serving in a jail or prison.

Responsibilities

We deliver FamilySearch related content like indexing and personal family history experiences through web-based applications on kiosks. We have FamilySearch Centers located in prisons and jails across Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, and Ohio. The FamilySearch Prison Volunteer Coordinator is the liaison between the correctional facility leadership, Stake leadership, other volunteers, and FamilySearch. Some responsibilities include:

• Establish and maintain a relationship of trust with prison or jail leaders. This includes sheriffs, deputies, program managers, chaplains, and correctional officers.

• Establish and maintain a relationship with local Stake and Branch leadership, and other volunteers serving in the correctional facilities.

• Establish and maintain a reliable family history program, under the direction of the Stake leadership, using those FamilySearch tools available for correctional facilities.

• Help facilitate memorandums of understanding (MOU) between the correctional facility and FamilySearch.

• Attend training and participate in efforts to improve the program.

• Train others (jail, Stake, volunteers, etc.) on how the Correctional Facility program works.

• Train and support incarcerated patrons on the use of various FamilySearch applications.

• Be a positive voice of encouragement to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).

• Attend and supervise family history sessions inside the correctional facility. Assist patrons and volunteers to support a reliable program.

• Report issues in a timely manner.

Coordinators must be flexible in their responsibilities and additional efforts may be needed at times. As new web-based applications are being introduced, coordinators will ensure that the local correctional facility approves new content, and that volunteers and patrons are all trained to use them.

Qualifications

• Dependable – The coordinator ensures that regular family history sessions are scheduled so that patrons, the correctional facility, and volunteers can have confidence in their availability.

• Understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ – You will be working with patrons who have been convicted of serious crimes. You will need to balance the gospel principle of justice and mercy as you work with them. Your primary responsibility will be to exemplify the Savior’s love.

• Maturity and steadfastness – While showing love to the patron, you will need to be aware of the complexity of the demographic you are serving.

• Comfortable approaching and meeting new people.

• Willingness to learn and use technology tools – Understanding FamilySearch indexing and other tools will be necessary, while respecting the limitations that come with working in a correctional facility.

• Knowledge of Family History and FamilySearch

• Ability to work independently

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Intermediate computer skills – Including sending reports via email, mediating Zoom meetings, and troubleshooting basic computer issues in the correctional facility.