REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS

  The Archdiocese of Miami's Office of Detention Ministry is deeply committed to pastoral care, fostering healing and rehabilitation within our communities by offering compassionate support to those impacted by incarceration and detention. We provide comprehensive training and orientation for deacons, lay ministers, parish groups, and ecclesial movements, preparing them to deliver effective pastoral care within our Detention Ministry. Our programs equip volunteers to provide spiritual and emotional guidance to Adults in Custody and Minors in Custody (MIC) in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, who are often isolated and need hope. At the heart of our mission is bridging the gap between the Church and correctional and detention institutions, ensuring that individuals in custody receive the pastoral care necessary for personal and spiritual transformation, leading them toward healing and reconciliation. 

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW  VOLUNTEER:

Step One:

1. Complete the Volunteer Personal Information Form (VPI) on the volunteering page (scroll down) to send by email to efarias@theadom.org

2. Obtain a Pastoral Reference Letter Form (PRL) from the same page (scroll down). Your pastor can send it by email to efarias@theadom.org

3. Fingerprinting Procedures every five years; click the following link: https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Fingerprinting

 The fieldprint code screen is FPAOMPastoralVol. Then scroll down to click on Detention Ministry. 

4. Virtus Training: You may register for an upcoming Virtus training session at www.virtus.org by clicking on  FIRST-TIME REGISTRANT

in the green column to the left. Next, select the Archdiocese of Miami as your "organization" by scrolling down to the "M's" for Miami to find it. Follow the prompts to select the session you would like to attend. 

5. Register for the Annual 4-hour Comprehensive Prison Pastoral Care Program for all volunteers Bilingual. https://detentionministry.org/servicing

Step Two:

After you complete step 1, the Office of the Ministry of Detention will send you a one-year ministerial endorsement letter. This letter signifies your availability to serve for one year. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MAINTAIN YOUR REGULAR AND OCCASIONAL VOLUNTEER MINISTERIAL ENDORSEMENT

 Your commitment as an endorsed volunteer is vital to our ministry. You must complete a two-hour refresher training course annually to maintain your endorsement. This ensures you stay updated and prepared to serve effectively.

Please register at your earliest convenient for the 2-hour refresher training at https://detentionministry.org/servicing  to renew your endorsement. Thank you for your dedication to this important mission!