Jail & Prison Ministry
Jesus is in JAIL! Will you pray with Him?
"Be Not Afraid!" Jesus was incarcerated during his life, and he can still be found in the jail. Come and see for yourself. Join a ministry team! Volunteer Ministers: Have a Charisma for Christ, and, an ability to share faith in Jesus. Consider assisting with Catholic Services at the Jail for both women and men. A group of at least four Catholic volunteers from local Catholic parishes visit the jail every week. Some volunteers serve on an as needed basis, and, others serve on one Saturday or Sunday each month, and, others serve every other week. We even have some volunteers that help with a Catholic Inquiry/Catechism Class on Wednesday evenings.
Catholic Religious Services in the Washtenaw County Jail
Every Saturday morning all enter the Jail at 8:45 am; and depart at about 10:45am. We have the main weekly celebration of the Mass with Holy Communion. We greatly appreciate it when we can have several ministers present to help with prayer, Eucharistic, music, assigning readings, serving, and hospitality.
Every Sunday evening all enter the Jail at 7:00 pm. We have a service in the jail every Sunday evening - alternating one week for the Men and then one week for the Women. Eucharistic Adoration is usually the central part of these services and we greatly appreciate it when we can have a musician to lead the worship and share in the ministry.
Every Wednesday evening all enter the Jail at 7:00 pm. We have at least two groups for men and one for women. We usually have one Bible/Catechism II Class/Catholic Inquiry Session and one RCIA Group in the jail. We greatly appreciate it when we can have several ministers present to help with: attendance/hospitality, teaching, sharing.
To be a Jail Volunteer
you must attend an orientation
All volunteers before entering the Jail, must attend an orientation on "The Rules & Regulations of the Jail” presented by the Jail staff at the Jail. Orientations are scheduled three times a year (February, July, and October).
Orientations are on a Saturdays at the Washtenaw County Jail Sheriff’s Department from 9:00 am - 11:30 am at the LLRC Building - the Library for the Blind, across the parking lot from the jail, at Washtenaw County Sheriff Office, 2201 Hogback Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48107.
When you attend the orientation session you will provide your personal information and complete this Washtenaw County Professional Visitor and Volunteer Information Form (PDF) or (Word Doc) for the Official Clearance and the Criminal History Check. Volunteers must attend the orientation session again once each year to renew and maintain clearance. Each volunteer is responsible for tracking and updating their own clearance status. You must be there at 9:00 am and stay for the whole session.
We ask that Catholic volunteers RSVP for orientations to Scott Wright swright [at] stfrancisa2 [dot] org or 734-821-2121.
For more information contact Scott Wright, Director of St. Francis Parish Service + Justice Ministry Office, at swright [at] stfrancisa2 [dot] org or 821-2121 or Bob Roleke, Administrator of Catholic Religious Services at Washtenaw County Jail at 734-662-6731 or at work at 734-930-4524.
The Washtenaw County Jail Entrance
The Washtenaw County Jail is located at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor 48105. The Jail's entrance is at the west end of the building (the side that faces Hogback Road and Ann Arbor). There is also a parking lot there. The entry door is marked R-4. Gather together there with all the other ministry team members who are entering to help with the Catholic Religious Services. Everyone enters the Jail at the same time.
The Washtenaw County Jail Location
the Sheriff's Office and Washtenaw County Service Center: 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Directions
1: (Near Ann Arbor) Driving South on US-23 .
2: Take the exit- number 37A- towards M-17/Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Ave. East.
3: Merge onto Washtenaw Ave. Immediately get into the left turn lane.
4: Turn LEFT onto Hogback Rd. Stay in the right hand lane for a very short distance.
5: Turn RIGHT into the Washtenaw County Service Center.
(Notice - Hogback Rd. is the north end of Carpenter Rd at the intersection of Washtenaw Ave.)
Other Ministry Opportunities
Friends of the Master is an additional organization set up to create and sustain housing communities of faith (Our Father's House) for parolees. Friends of the Master has roots in our Washtenaw County Catholic Jail Ministry. Also, see The letter from the Bishop of Lansing.
Mentor an Ex-Offender, Prisoner Pen Pal Ministry - contact: Office of Restorative Justice Lansing Diocese, 517-342-2495 or 517-342-2560, address: 300 West Ottawa Street Lansing, MI 48933.
Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility, Ypsilanti, Bemis Road, east of Platt Road. Volunteer coordinator Deacon Jim Ward 734-276-7113.
Cassidy Lake Boot Camp Bible Group - Special Alternative Incarceration - Bob Brundage at 734-434-8161.
Maxey Boys Training School Ministry- 810-231-9199x0
Sunday evening at 6:00 pm at Maxey Chapel, Whitmore Lake with Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church Office