"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the King will reply, tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for me. Matthew 25: 35,36,40It is the goal of the Criminal Justice Ministry Visitor Center to provide a comfortable place to wait while visiting an inmate. We hope to alleviate some of the stress that is involved with this process. We should strive to be a living witness of what Jesus Christ has done in our lives and provides a loving and welcome environment for both visitors and TDCJ personnel. We will treat each person with dignity and respect regardless of race, color, nationality or religious affiliation.

1. Volunteers must be born again Christians and have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Each volunteer must be a member in good standing with a local church.
3. No controversial, questionable doctrine or denominational persuasions should be taught.
4. Emphasize the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
5. Tracts, booklets, testimonials, study books, etc., Should focus on the simple gospel message of Jesus Christ and his saving power. All literature handed out should have the approval of senior chaplain from TDCJ.
6. Each volunteer must attend, Texas Department of Criminal Justice " volunteer training and orientation" provided by the criminal justice system and/or orientation provided at the center.
7. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Visitor Center Program objectives....

1. Facilitate family visits by constructing a facility outside TDCJ unit Garza units, Beeville, Texas that includes an indoor play area, a snack area, restroom facilities, counseling facilities, reading area, clothes closet and family waiting area. This objective was met on March 1, 1997 with the opening of the Family Visitor Center.
2. Facilitate visits and reduce stress associated with visits by maintaining a clothes closet for visitors that come inappropriately dressed and for families in need of clothing. This is being done on a weekly basis.
3. Reduce stress in children visiting the Family Visitor Center by providing appropriate outlets for children in a stress free environment. This is being done with indoor play area, volunteers who are available to read or visit with children and parents. Stuffed animals available to children to take home with them. Do Reduce stress associated with prison visiting by providing visitors with assistance in understanding visitation rules, obtaining proper clothing and provide support information to improve communications. Volunteers work in support of the TDCJ staff. Lines of communication are always open for ways to better serve our visitors.
4. Create a stress free and supportive environment to lessen the feelings of isolation and loneliness experienced by families and loved ones of inmates. At a later date we plan to have visitor evaluate the Center to see if we are in fact meeting their needs.

Family contact and support is extremely important during incarceration. It is prisoner's outside link to the free world. It is his hope for the future.

Strong family ties not only make a difference in their daily life and management of the prisoner on the inside, but in his future success on the outside as well.

FAMILY VISITOR CENTER SUGGESTIONS

1. Key to front door is located at the guard house across the street from the center unlock front door and office door to the right as you go in and then return the key to the guard house. Keys to clothes closet and food cabinet are in desk middle drawer.
2. Sign volunteer log book. Log in your name and hours worked. Leave any messages on the desk .
3. Make coffee tea and kool-aide. Make regular coffee in the large coffee pot and use the small coffee makers for brewing tea and hot water for cocoa and hot tea. (see back of booklet for recopies)
4. Color pages for the kids and the crayons are to be given away to the kids. Put 4-5 crayons in a plastic bag to be given with color booklet. Also the stuffed animals can be given to the children also.
5. Clothes closet is in great demand these hot week-ends. Clothing does not have to be returned but if it is returned it needs to be taken and washed and hung back up. Please do not reuse clothing till it has been washed.
6. Make sure that all doors and windows are locked, even if you did not open them. Make sure the clothing room is locked and the key is returned to it's spot. 7. Please clean the refreshments area before you leave and wash the coffee pot, the trustee cannot always come to clean as first thought so we need to leave the building in good order each time it is used.
7. Saturday morning workers please see that all the plants get watered.
8. Thanks for your help in seeing that these things are done to the best of your ability. Please leave me a note if you have any suggestions or questions.

You are all a blessing.

Helpful Hints:

• Put out small amounts of snacks.
• Use peanut butter and crackers to fill in with other snacks you might have.
• Put water in fridge to get cool and use it for making tea and juice.
• Put ice in the pitchers instead of in each cup.
• The ice will go a lot father that way.
• Popcorn can be bagged and stapled the day before you need it.
• Toilet paper, brooms and mops are in the broom closet in the maintenance room at the front of the building.
• Check bathrooms often to see if clean up needs to be done.
• For major cleanups ask a guard to call the trustee. (such as toilet over flow)
• Children are not to be left unattended in the building.
• Personal items left in the building while a family is visiting are judgement calls.
• There are release forms on the desk in the Smith's office.

To make coffee in 40 cup pot.

• 2 cups ground coffee 40 cups cold water
• During the hot summer months we have been only making 1/2 pot to start with and then as we need more we make small 10 cup coffee maker.
• I level teaspoon ground coffee for each cup needed.
• You can also make tea in the coffee makers just go by directions on the box.

Last Updated Wednesday, January 13, 2010