Overview

Correctional volunteers help with the rehabilitation of offenders in institutions or individuals on probation, parole or serving a conditional sentence served in the community. Volunteers reflect their communities and help to:

  • assist with culturally and spiritually diverse services
  • act as positive role models to help offenders make positive changes.

Services provided by volunteers

Volunteers provide programs and services to a diverse group of offenders. Some of the services include:

  • providing spiritual and religious care
  • work at Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous groups
  • providing education, employment and life skills training
  • providing cultural and interpreter services
  • literacy and numeracy skills training
  • helping inmates prepare to return to the community
  • teaching music, leisure activities, and arts and crafts
  • supervising people who are on probation and are lower-risk
  • assisting probation and parole officers with court reports and office tasks
  • becoming a volunteer coordinator

Volunteer coordinators

Volunteer coordinators volunteer in the ministry's institutions and probation and parole offices to:

  • administer and co-ordinate volunteer activities
  • provide leadership in the planning and development of a volunteer service
  • assess the status of current volunteer programs
  • monitor the performance of volunteers

Screening

Each correctional institution or probation and parole office thoroughly screens and assesses all volunteers before they work with offenders. Before you can volunteer you must:

  • submit an application form
  • attend an interview
  • complete a Canadian Police Information Centre check
  • complete a reference check

How to volunteer

Contact your local correctional institution or probation and parole office to learn more about becoming a correctional volunteer.

Visit the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for more information on the literacy program.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General is an equal opportunity organization. We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.