Volunteer and Internship Guidelines
Prospective volunteers must complete an application and undergo a background check. The department holds the ultimate authority to approve or deny a volunteer application. To become a volunteer, an individual must be cleared through the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS). To clear LEDS, volunteers must have:
- No outstanding warrants or pending criminal charges.
- No misdemeanor convictions in the past two years. No felony convictions or incarcerations in the past five years, or two years for certain volunteer programs. The functional unit manager may on a case-by-case basis approve an individual with no felony convictions or incarcerations in the past three years.
- No convictions for introduction or supplying contraband as defined in ORS 162.185; or possession, control or delivery of an explosive device or substance; or assisting an inmate to escape or unlawful departure from a correctional facility, including attempt or conspiracy of any of the above.
- The volunteer may not have been convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) in the past two years or Driving While Suspended (DWS) in the last year. The number and type of other driving offenses or convictions may be considered in determining if the volunteer is a good role model for inmates and offenders.
Volunteers must be:
- A USA citizen, legal resident, or in the country on a valid visa.
- At least 18 years old, unless there will be no interaction between the volunteer and inmates.
Applicants with Prior Criminal Convictions
Prospective volunteers with prior felony or misdemeanor convictions who meet the above listed criteria may be approved when the following additional criteria have been met:
- May be under supervision but must have no parole or probation violations in the past two years, or one year for certain volunteer programs, and approval of his/her parole officer.
- A prospective volunteer with a prior criminal conviction who performs services inside a correctional facility must have the approval of the facility functional unit manager at each facility where the service will be provided.
Anti-Drug Smuggling Information
Accidental overdose continues to be a safety issue for adults in custody, and that safety issue has been more apparent than ever since the national opioid crisis.
The following videos are a product of the DOC comprehensive drug task force that the Inspector General convened in 2018 to update DOC’s policies around drugs. The Task Force worked with the University of Oregon through a federal grant to educate and create a safe rehabilitative environment for everyone within DOC's facilities. We hope this information helps volunteers take action to keep DOC institutions safe.