Final Project
Final Project: Correctional Ministry Proposal
Write a professional proposal to a facility chaplain requesting approval for a volunteer-led ministry program, such as a Bible study, worship support, letter ministry, or family ministry, and include a sample session outline. Your proposal should show that you understand the biblical call, the setting, the chaplain's authority, the rules volunteers must keep, trauma-informed care, religious freedom, and how to report safety concerns. Everything may be handwritten. Use a composite or sample facility; leave facility- and state-specific details as blanks. Do not include details of real cases, residents, staff, or facility security.
Requirements
- Cover Letter to the Chaplain (one page): respectful greeting, who you are (general), the program you propose, and a clear request for approval and guidance
- Purpose and Scripture: the need the program meets and at least two KJV Scriptures (for example, Matthew 25:36 and Hebrews 13:3)
- Setting and Participants: setting type (jail, prison, juvenile, or community corrections), who may attend, and how the program fits that setting
- Program Plan: frequency, length, number of volunteers, materials (all subject to chaplain approval), and how volunteers will be trained and supervised
- Rules and Boundaries: nothing in, nothing out; no personal relationships, gifts, or outside contact except through approved channels; respect for security and officer instructions
- Safety and Reporting: how volunteers will report safety concerns and threats, the PREA reporting procedure (blank), the crisis path (staff or chaplain inside; 911 or 988 outside), and referral to staff for counseling needs
- Religious Freedom and Trauma-Informed Care: a statement that participation is voluntary with no coercion or rewards, and how the program offers safety, choice, and grace
- Sample Session Outline: a 45–60 minute session with times, KJV passage, open questions, and closing, plus a re-entry or family connection where appropriate
Timeline
- Module 3: choose your program idea and setting
- Module 5: draft the sample session outline
- Modules 6–7: add trauma-informed care, family or letter elements, and safety sections
- Module 8: proposal workshop and final submission
Grading Rubrics
Grading Rubrics
Every rubric uses the same four levels. Your instructor will mark the level that best matches your work for each row and add a short comment.
Module Assignment Rubric
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Every required part is done | Most required parts are done | About half the parts are done | Little of the assignment is done |
| Accuracy & Skill | Skills applied correctly with no significant errors | Minor errors that do not affect the result | Several errors that affect the result | Major errors throughout |
| Professional Quality | Neat, clear, and ready for an employer to see | Clear with small issues | Hard to follow in places | Unclear or disorganized |
| Effort & Growth | Went beyond the minimum or clearly improved | Solid, consistent effort | Minimal effort | Little evidence of effort |
Total possible: 16 points.
Reflection Journal Rubric
Journals are graded on effort and reflection, never on spelling, grammar, or the details of a personal story.
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completion | Responds fully to every part of the prompt | Responds to most of the prompt | Responds to part of the prompt | Entry missing or one line |
| Connection to Lesson | Clearly applies the week's skill or idea | Mentions the lesson | Vague link to the lesson | No link to the lesson |
| Faith Reflection | Thoughtfully engages the Scripture or faith theme | Engages the faith theme | Brief mention of faith theme | Does not address the faith theme |
| Personal Application | Names a specific next step or change | Names a general next step | Next step is unclear | No next step |
Total possible: 16 points.
Participation Rubric
Scored at the end of each module. Average the eight scores for the Attendance & Participation grade.
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance & Punctuality | Present and on time for the full session | Present; late or left early once | Missed part of the session more than once | Absent without make-up work |
| Preparation | Completed assignment and brought workbook every time | Usually prepared | Sometimes prepared | Rarely prepared |
| Engagement | Contributes thoughtfully and draws others in | Contributes regularly | Contributes when asked | Seldom contributes, even when invited |
| Respect & Covenant | Models the classroom covenant for others | Follows the covenant consistently | Needs occasional reminders | Needs frequent reminders |
Total possible: 16 points.
Final Project Rubric: Correctional Ministry Proposal
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biblical Foundation & Purpose | Clear need and purpose with accurate KJV Scriptures thoughtfully applied | Clear purpose with Scripture | Purpose or Scripture vague | Missing |
| Respect for Authority & Setting | Asks for approval; fits the setting; places the program under the chaplain's direction | Mostly respectful and fitting | Assumes approval or does not fit setting | Ignores chaplain's authority |
| Rules, Boundaries & Safety | Nothing in, nothing out; no outside contact; reporting, PREA blank, crisis path, and referrals all included | Mostly complete with minor gaps | Important rules or reporting missing | Missing or unsafe |
| Religious Freedom & Trauma-Informed Care | Voluntary, no coercion, grace-filled, offers safety and choice | Mostly present | Brief or unclear | Missing or coercive |
| Sample Session & Professional Quality | Realistic, timed, well-organized session; letter is clear and professional | Solid with minor issues | Incomplete or hard to follow | Missing |
Total possible: 20 points.
Quick Guide
Correctional Ministry Quick Guide
Keep this guide with your important papers after release.
Nothing In, Nothing Out
- ☐ Bring in only approved items through the approved process
- ☐ Never carry out letters, notes, messages, phone numbers, money, or items
- ☐ Never make calls or deliver messages for anyone
- ☐ No gifts, money, or favors in either direction
- ☐ No home address, personal phone, or social media
- ☐ Follow dress code and ID rules every time
Get Help Now
- ☐ Threats, plans to harm anyone, or contraband
- ☐ Talk of suicide or self-harm
- ☐ Sexual abuse or harassment (report through facility channels; PREA)
- ☐ A medical emergency
- ☐ Inside: tell staff or the chaplain right away
- ☐ Outside (U.S.): call 911 for an emergency, or call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
- ☐ Never promise secrecy about safety; never investigate on your own
- ☐ My facility's reporting procedure: ______________________________
The Volunteer's Place
- ☐ Serve where, when, and how the chaplain approves
- ☐ Ask before changing anything
- ☐ Follow officer instructions calmly and right away
- ☐ Report concerns and accept decisions
- ☐ Remember: your conduct affects every volunteer
Settings at a Glance (General)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Jail | Usually local; awaiting court or shorter sentences; high turnover |
| Prison | Usually state or federal; longer sentences |
| Juvenile | Young people; extra screening and supervision |
| Community corrections | Probation, parole, reentry centers; living under supervision |
Kind and Firm Responses
- ☐ “I can tell that matters so much to you.”
- ☐ “I'm not able to carry messages or items. That's a rule I keep for everyone.”
- ☐ “I can only stay in touch through approved channels.”
- ☐ “The chaplain can tell you what options there are.”
Trauma-Informed Ministry
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Safety | Calm voice, no surprises, no sudden touch |
| Choice | Passing is always okay; prayer is voluntary |
| Respect | No labels, lectures, or case questions |
| No digging | “You don't have to tell me the details for me to care.” |
If a Woman Becomes Overwhelmed
- ☐ Slow down and lower your voice
- ☐ Stop the hard topic
- ☐ Invite her to name three things she sees
- ☐ Breathe slowly together
- ☐ Offer prayer only if she wants it
- ☐ Bring in staff or the chaplain
Religious Freedom
- ☐ Invite warmly; accept a no
- ☐ No rewards for attendance or faith
- ☐ Never speak against another faith
- ☐ Participation and prayer are always voluntary
Letter Ministry Checklist
- ☐ Use the approved program and ministry address
- ☐ Follow facility mail rules: ______________________________
- ☐ Scripture, encouragement, ordinary news, prayer
- ☐ No money or items unless allowed; no romance; no promises; no case talk
- ☐ Tell the program leader about concerns
Lived Experience: Ask, Never Assume
Question for the chaplain or volunteer coordinator: ______________________________
Question for my supervising officer (if applicable): ______________________________
Ways I can serve now: ______________________________
My Contacts
Chaplain's office: ______________________________
Volunteer coordinator: ______________________________
Reentry resources I have verified: ______________________________
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.— Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
Final Exam
- 1.
In Matthew 25:36, Jesus says:
- 2.
Hebrews 13:3 calls us to remember those in bonds:
- 3.
In Luke 4:18, Jesus says He was sent:
- 4.
In general, jails differ from prisons because jails:
- 5.
Which is part of community corrections?
- 6.
Who oversees religious programs and volunteers in a facility?
- 7.
An officer tells you a service must end now. You should:
- 8.
A woman hands you a folded note to mail. You should:
- 9.
PREA is a federal law that calls for facilities to:
- 10.
A healthy response to manipulation is to be:
- 11.
Whether a formerly incarcerated person may volunteer is decided by:
- 12.
Which respects religious freedom?
- 13.
A trauma-informed volunteer:
- 14.
A woman says she doesn't see the point of living. Inside the facility you should:
- 15.
Volunteers may give gifts to residents they feel especially close to.
- 16.
In letter ministry, volunteers should follow both the program's rules and the facility's mail rules.
- 17.
Volunteers should give legal advice about custody or court cases when asked.
- 18.
Re-entry connections should be made through approved channels, often beginning before release.
- 19.
Explain *nothing in, nothing out* and give two examples of each.
- 20.
Explain how Hebrews 13:3 shapes a volunteer's attitude and limits in correctional ministry.