The Prison Ministry is dedicated to visit, serve and minister to the imprisoned men and women in West Tennessee.  

MISSION

The Catholic Diocese of Memphis Prison Ministry team serves the various prisons and correctional institutions in West Tennessee with compassionate lay volunteers who reach out, visit and minister to the incarcerated.

WHO WE ARE

A dedicated team of Catholic clergy, lay men and women in the Diocese of Memphis who provide support, guidance and a Catholic presence to the inmates at state, county and local prisons.

WHAT WE DO

• Story Book Program
  

  This program connects parents with their children through reading. Volunteers record the voice of a mother who is incarcerated as she reads a story for her child. The recording and the book read in the recording are mailed to the child’s caregiver who shares with the child. The following support is needed:

  Donations of children’s new or gently used pre-school to young adult books;

  Financial donations to cover postage of sending recordings and books to families;

  Volunteers to deliver books to the prison and to help with recordings.

• Prison Visitation
  
  Volunteers visit on a regular schedule to as-sure that a Catholic presence is established and sustained with the inmates.
• Assistance at Celebration of the Mass
  
  Volunteers help the Chaplain or the visiting priest with liturgical needs for Mass.
• Spiritual Devotions
  
  Volunteers guide and join inmates in the celebration of Mass, Communion services and devotions.
• Special Programs
  
  Volunteers create special programs in cooperation with the institution’s chaplain for the needs of the in-mates. These include retreats; liturgical, educational, and spiritual development programs; and Kairos Prison Ministry.
• Catechesis
  
  Volunteers assist in the catechetical instruction and education of inmates in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament.

Prison Ministry Volunteer Requirements

• Potential volunteers must undergo the required training determined by the institution.
• Volunteers must also must attend periodic meetings, annual re-certification and training.
• National Crime Information Center background check.
• Pastor recommendation.

Download the Prison Volunteer Form

For Questions or for more information contact the Prison Ministry Director, Deacon Bill Davis 901-373-1299/ bill.davis@cc.cdom.org