Module 3
Security First: Facility Culture and the Chaplain's Authority
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,” — Titus 3:1
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Explain why security comes first in every correctional setting
- Describe the authority of the chaplaincy office over religious programs and volunteers
- Follow the core volunteer rules about items, contraband, and communication without exception
- Report safety concerns, threats, and any sexual abuse or harassment through facility channels
Lesson Notes
Why Security Comes First
A correctional facility's first duty is the safety of everyone inside: residents, staff, and visitors. Every rule you will be asked to follow, even the ones that seem small, exists for safety. Counts, lockdowns, searches, dress codes, and lists of approved items are part of facility life.
When an officer gives an instruction, follow it right away, calmly and respectfully, even if a service is interrupted or a visit is canceled. A volunteer who argues with security, or who treats rules as optional because her motives are good, puts people at risk and can end a ministry for everyone. Romans 13:1 and Titus 3:1 call believers to submit to rightful authority and to be ready to every good work.
The Chaplaincy Office and the Volunteer's Place
The chaplain (or religious services coordinator) oversees religious programming. In most facilities, the chaplaincy office approves volunteers, schedules services and studies, approves materials, and serves residents of every faith tradition. The chaplain answers to facility leadership and must keep every program within policy.
The volunteer's place is under the chaplain. That means:
- You serve where, when, and how the chaplain approves.
- You bring in only approved materials, and only through the approved process.
- You ask before you change anything: the curriculum, the time, the room, who attends.
- You report concerns to the chaplain and to staff, and you accept their decisions.
- You represent the whole volunteer program; your conduct affects whether others may serve.
Hebrews 13:17 says, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls. A wise volunteer makes the chaplain's job easier, not harder.
Nothing In, Nothing Out
The most important volunteer rule is simple: bring in only what is approved, and carry out nothing for anyone.
- Never bring in contraband or any unapproved item, however harmless it seems: food, gum, medicine, phones, money, stamps, cards, photos, or gifts.
- Never carry out letters, notes, phone numbers, messages, or items for anyone.
- Never make calls, send messages, or deliver anything for a resident, even a kind message to her child.
- Never give or receive money, gifts, or favors, inside or outside.
- Never share your home address, personal phone number, or social media.
- Know and follow the facility's dress code and identification rules.
Second Corinthians 8:21 says we provide for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. Integrity that holds up to inspection protects you, the residents, and the ministry.
Reporting Safety Concerns
If you see, hear, or are told about a threat, a plan to harm someone, contraband, an escape plan, self-harm, a medical emergency, or anything else that affects safety, tell staff or the chaplain right away, following facility procedure. Do not investigate on your own and do not promise secrecy.
The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) calls for facilities to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Facilities train volunteers on their own reporting procedures. If anyone tells you about sexual abuse or harassment, or you witness it, report it through facility channels immediately. Take every report seriously, treat the person with dignity, and let trained staff respond.
Crisis inside the facility: tell staff or the chaplain immediately. Crisis outside (for example, with a family member or after release), in the U.S.: call 911 for an emergency, or call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Write your facility's procedure here: ____________________.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Security | The facility's first duty: the safety of residents, staff, and visitors |
| Contraband | Any item not allowed in the facility or not allowed for a particular person |
| Chaplaincy office | The department that oversees religious programs, volunteers, and approved materials |
| PREA | The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, which calls for facilities to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment |
In-Class Activities
Facility Rules Sheet
With your instructor, fill in the blank Facility Rules Sheet for a sample or actual facility: how volunteers are approved; ID and dress code; approved items; what to do during a count or lockdown; who to tell about a concern; the PREA reporting procedure; the crisis procedure. Write ask the chaplain for anything not yet known.
Yes, No, or Ask First?
Mark each Y (allowed), N (never), or A (ask the chaplain first):
- A woman asks you to mail a birthday card to her daughter.
- You want to bring in printed song sheets for a service.
- An officer tells you the service must end early.
- A woman asks for your phone number so she can call you after release.
- You want to start a new Bible study on a different day.
- A woman slips a folded note into your hand at the end of a study.
- You want to give each woman a small candy for her birthday.
- A woman tells you someone threatened her on the unit.
Assignment: My Volunteer Covenant
Write a one-page volunteer covenant you will sign and keep:
- Five rules you commit to follow without exception, including nothing in, nothing out.
- How you will respond when an officer gives an instruction you do not understand.
- Who you will report to and how, including a blank for your facility's PREA reporting procedure: ____________________.
- One Scripture that will help you submit to authority with a good heart.
Complete a fresh When to Get Help card: staff or chaplain inside; 911 or 988 outside.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Titus 3:1 asks us to be subject to authority and ready to every good work. Is submitting to rules easy or hard for you? Why? How can obedience to facility rules become an act of worship rather than resentment?
Prayer focus: Ask God for a humble, teachable heart that honors those in authority and protects everyone's safety.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Faithful Under Authority
Every rule in a correctional facility exists for safety. Counts, searches, dress codes, and approved-item lists may feel inconvenient, but they protect residents, staff, and volunteers. When an officer gives an instruction, a faithful volunteer follows it calmly and right away.
The chaplain oversees religious programs and volunteers. A wise volunteer serves where, when, and how the chaplain approves, asks before changing anything, and reports concerns. She makes the chaplain's work easier.
The simplest rule is the most important: nothing in, nothing out. Bring in only what is approved. Carry out nothing for anyone: no letters, notes, messages, phone numbers, money, or items, even when the request is loving. One kind favor can end a ministry for everyone.
If you see or hear about a threat, a safety concern, or any sexual abuse or harassment, tell staff or the chaplain right away. The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) calls for facilities to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and harassment, and your facility will teach you its reporting procedure. Never investigate on your own, and never promise secrecy about safety.
Think About It
- Which facility rule do you think would be hardest for you to keep? ______________________
- How can submitting to authority become worship? ______________________
- Who would you tell if you heard about a safety concern? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 3
Ready to Every Good Work
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,— Titus 3:1 (KJV)
Submission to rightful authority is part of a ready heart.
Reflect: Where do you resist authority?
Pray: Lord, give me a humble, ready heart.
Do: Follow one instruction today without complaint.
They Watch for Your Souls
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,— Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
Chaplains carry a heavy responsibility. We help by honoring their direction.
Reflect: How can you make a leader's work easier?
Pray: Lord, bless the chaplains who watch over souls.
Do: Pray for a chaplain by name or by role.
Honest in Every Sight
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.— 2 Corinthians 8:21 (KJV)
Integrity that can be inspected protects everyone.
Reflect: Is there anything you would not want inspected?
Pray: Lord, make me honest in every sight.
Do: Choose one area to bring fully into the light.
The Prudent Foresee
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.— Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)
Wisdom thinks ahead and avoids risky situations before they start.
Reflect: What risky request could you plan a response for now?
Pray: Lord, give me prudence.
Do: Write one kind and firm sentence you can say when asked to break a rule.
Faithful in Little
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:— Luke 16:10 (KJV)
Small rules kept faithfully build trust for greater service.
Reflect: What small rule do you tend to bend?
Pray: Lord, make me faithful in little things.
Do: Keep one small rule perfectly today.
Module Quiz
- 1.
In a correctional facility, the first priority is:
- 2.
A woman asks you to mail a letter to her son. You should:
- 3.
Who approves materials and schedules for religious programs?
- 4.
If a woman tells you she was sexually harassed, you should keep it secret to protect her.
- 5.
What does *nothing in, nothing out* mean for a volunteer?