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Prisons-Temporary Contacts

Please join us in carrying the A.A. message to the inmate behind the walls. Our committee has been successful in helping many new members in the correctional institutions to find sobriety and help them get comfortable in A.A. Statistics show that approximately 80% of inmates should be classified as alcoholics, and we may be the only opportunity they have to hear the A.A. message.

The Prison Committee meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:00pm at the SEPIA offices.

Prison Meeting Chair Requirement

One year of continuous sobriety is required and you will be also required to fill out an application for a background check.

Prison Meeting Speaker Requirement

Six months of continuous sobriety is required to speak at a prison meeting commitment.

Individual Commitment

Prison commitments are individual commitments not group commitments

Bucks County Prison Information

To start we service the Bucks County Corrections facilities. The main lockup is located at:
Bucks County Department of Corrections
1730 S. Easton Road
Doylestown, PA 18901

The work release program is located just around the corner of the main lockup on Almshouse Rd.

Our contacts for these facilities are:
Mike P. (Zone corrections coordinator): (267) 276-2748, Email: pierznik85@icloud.com
Bernadette Riley (Lock down and work release): (215) 345-3748, FAX: 215-345-3743

We currently support 25 men's and 30 women's commitments per month, or 17 meetings per week.

Requirements:

The Bucks County DOC requires that all AA hosts and speakers meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum age of 21.
  • Recovering hosts/speakers/volunteers must have one (1) year of continuous sobriety.
  • Hosts/speakers/volunteers must have had no incarcerations for at least two (2) years.
  • Hosts/speakers/volunteers must be off any probation or parole supervision for at least two (2) years.
  • Valid photo identification must be shown to gain clearance and to enter the facility.
  • Hosts/speakers/volunteers must have completely gone through the clearance procedure (below).

Expectations:
The following are expectations of all AA and hosts, speakers:

  • A time commitment of at least six (6) months.
  • The confidentiality of meeting attendees will be maintained at all times.
  • Hosts/speakers will not engage in private solicitation, favors, personal exchanges, gifts, promises of contraband of any kind, or touching of any meeting attendee. If you sense an inappropriate relationship starting, report it immediately. Any of these infractions are grounds for immediate termination.
  • No more than three (3) volunteers will be allowed at any one meeting.
  • Meetings will be conducted by the same gender volunteers as the attendees.
  • Meetings will begin and end at their prescheduled times.
  • Hosts/speakers will inform attendees that they must remain in the meeting room until the meeting is completed and the room returned to its original condition.
  • Hosts/speakers/volunteers must wear appropriate attire when entering either facility. Halter tops, tank tops, see-through tops, midriffs, tube tops, shorts (men or women), miniskirts, hoodies or any form of open toed shoes will not be permitted. Revealing garments which do not sufficiently cover private areas of the body will be cause for denial of entry.
  • Remember, you are a Host/Speaker/Volunteer at a Correctional Facility. Your safety, the safety of the staff and inmates is of the utmost importance. If your meeting is denied, delayed, canceled or cut short it is with this in mind. Please be understanding and cooperative.

Clearance Procedures:
• Hosts/speakers/volunteers must obtain clearance by going to the Pennsylvania State Police website at:

https://epatch.state.pa.us/

In the center of the page, please click NEW RECORD CHECK VOLUNTEERS ONLY and follow the instructions at each prompt. There is no cost for volunteers!

If you do not have a criminal record, most of the time, you will get a certificate of clearance immediately. If your information ‘hits’ on something in the database, you will receive an immediate “Request Under Review” response. This response does not necessarily mean that you have a record; it just means your information requires manual review.

After the review, your status will be updated to “No Record” or “Record,” this can take up to two (2) weeks.  If you do have a record you will receive a letter in the mail, at the address you provided, with the details of your record within two to four (2-4) weeks. This does not necessarily mean you are unable to be a volunteer. Your information will need to be reviewed by the Bucks County Correctional Facility (BCCF) Administration to see if your clearance will be granted.

Forwarding Information
Once you receive your letter/certificate/record, please gather:

  • A copy of your valid Driver’s License;
  • The signed Volunteer Agreement included with this document;

and forward them to:

BCCF, Drug & Alcohol Treatment Section

Attn: Bernadette Riley

1730 S. Easton Road

Doylestown, PA 18901;

Alternately, they can be FAXed to: (215) 345-3748
Or scanned and emailed to: btriley@buckscounty.org

Confirmation

Hosts, speakers, and volunteers should call Bernadette Riley after approximately two (2) weeks to confirm they have been entered into the system for volunteering at (215) 345-3748 once everything above is submitted and clearance is approved. After confirmation is received you must attend orientation the 2nd Monday of the month at 3:30pm at The Women’s Center. 

Renewal
Once cleared, the names will be maintained on a list of “approved” speakers for one (1) year. Hosts, speakers, and volunteers will have to renew their clearance annually.

Taking a Commitment
Hosts, speakers, and volunteers are required to call at least two (2) business days prior to their commitment date to (215) 345-3748. No one will be admitted to either facility unless their names are on the daily memo/calendar sent to the Lobby Officer/Control Center Officer by the Drug and Alcohol Treatment section.

Download the Form

Bucks County Department Corrections Volunteer Registration Form

Chester County Prison Information

If you need assistance with the form below, please contact one of the following individuals:

Title Person Telephone Email
Men’s CCZ Prison Coordinator Mark M. 484-716-5705 monsellmark55@gmail.com
Men’s CCZ Alternate Prison Coordinator Tom F. 484-571-9543 tjfox527@gmail.com
Women’s Prison Coordinator Gwen B. 717-875-3477 RebosChescoWomen@gmail.com
Women’s Alternate Prison Coordinator Susan C. 484-888-6168 suechicoski@gmail.com

On the Chester County Prison Form, All spaces must be filled. Use “NONE” if needed. Keep the copy of the Guidelines.

Return the Clearance form and Information form to your Intergroup Rep, or, your Chester County Zone Coordinator, or mail to:

Chester County Zone Prison Committee

PO Box 443

West Chester, Pa. 19381-0443

Please BE SURE TO INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER’s LICENSE with your clearance form.

Download the Form

Chester County Corrections Clearance Form

Delaware County Prison Information

Contact: Tom C. at (610) 324-7631 (tdc6622@gmail.com), or Frank at 484-832-5287

Montgomery County Prison Information

Contact: Steve D at 484-753-2333 (steves1auto@aol.com)

Philadelphia Prison Commitments

Contact:  Fred P at (215) 422-2035 (prisondirector@aasepia.org or freddiepaa@yahoo.com), or Matt F at (215) 571-5106 (mattfehrle@gmail.com)

Contact the Prisons Committee

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