Section 435.10  Applicability

This Part applies to any group or individual who is seeking to provide or is providing volunteer services within the Department of Corrections.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.12  Definitions

            "Chief Administrative Officer" means the highest ranking official of a correctional facility or the Deputy Director of any other Department facility.

            "Correctional facility" means a correctional center, youth center, or community correctional center within the Department.

            "Department" means the Department of Corrections.

            "Director" means the Director of the Department of Corrections.

            "Facility" means any correctional facility, program, or office within the Department.

            "Volunteer Services Coordinator" means the staff member responsible for coordinating volunteer services for the facility.

(Source:  Added at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.15  Responsibilities

a)         Unless otherwise specified, the Director, Chief Administrative Officer, or Volunteer Services Coordinator may delegate responsibilities stated in this Part to another person or persons or designate another person or persons to perform the duties specified.

b)         No other individual may routinely perform duties whenever a Section in this Part specifically states the Director, Chief Administrative Officer, or Volunteer Services Coordinator shall personally perform the duties. However, the Director, Chief Administrative Officer, or Volunteer Services Coordinator may designate another person or persons to perform the duties during periods of his temporary absence or in an emergency.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.20  Designation of Staff Coordinator

The Chief Administrative Officer of each facility which accepts volunteers shall designate a Volunteer Services Coordinator.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.30  Applications for Volunteer Service:  Individuals

a)         Applicants for volunteer service shall be required to complete an application provided by the Department and to supply references and verification of qualifications.  Applicants shall be subject to screening procedures, including drug testing, and selection criteria adopted by the facility to address security concerns or program requirements.

b)         An ex-offender shall not be accepted for volunteer service except as approved by the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director.  In making their decision, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director shall consider matters such as the ex-offender's criminal history, his behavioral history with the Department, and any other prior involvement with the Department.

c)         Applicants shall be required to notify each facility for which they wish to provide volunteer service and may be required to submit separate volunteer applications to each facility and to undergo screening and orientation by the respective facilities.  The determination whether to require separate applications or screening shall be based, among other matters, on the type of program and safety and security of the facility.

d)         Criteria for selection, rejection and retention of volunteers may vary according to program and security needs of the facility.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.40  Applications for Volunteer Service:  Groups

a)         Citizen groups wishing to provide volunteer service to a correctional facility or to committed persons in the community shall submit a written statement in advance, detailing: the purpose and goals of the proposed program; the intended frequency of visits to the facility or with committed persons; and if applicable, the identity of the target group of committed persons to whom the service would be directed.

1)         Citizen groups proposing to provide such services on a continuing basis shall be required to submit a completed application for each participant and any subsequently added participants.  Screening of individual members of the group shall be performed as required for individual volunteer applicants (Section 435.30).

2)         Citizen groups proposing to provide such services on an occasional or one-time-only basis, such as church choirs, athletic teams or visiting entertainers, shall be required to identify participants by name and may be required to provide the date of birth and social security number of each participant.  Any member of the group who is an ex-offender must be identified.  Names and other required information shall be supplied in advance of each visitation in accordance with requirements of the facility.

b)         Citizen groups wishing to provide other volunteer services shall submit a written statement detailing the purpose and goals of the proposed service and suggested procedures for delivery of service.  Screening of individual members of the group shall be performed as required for individual volunteer applicants (Section 435.30).

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.50  Placement Procedures for Approved Volunteers

This Section applies to applicants who will be providing volunteer services on a continuing basis.

a)         Upon completion of the screening process, approved applicants shall be notified of their acceptance by the Volunteer Services Coordinator.

b)         Prior to placement, the volunteer:

1)         Shall be informed of and shall agree in writing to observe all applicable rules and to serve as a volunteer at the sole discretion of the Department;

2)         Shall sign a waiver releasing the Department and its agents or employees from liability for injuries or damages which might result in connection with the volunteer activities, except for those claims which may arise due to the willful and wanton conduct of the Department or its authorized agents or employees;

3)         Shall sign a written volunteer job description; and

4)         Shall receive training and orientation appropriate to the volunteer assignment as required by the facility.  Written documentation, signed and dated by the volunteer, shall be maintained to verify training and orientation received.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.60  Conduct of Volunteers

Volunteers shall conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Department and the facility.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)

Section 435.70  Termination of Volunteer Services

a)         Volunteer services may be terminated at any time.

b)         Volunteers or volunteer groups who have been dismissed shall surrender any form of identification issued by the Department; and staff shall be notified of the action taken.

c)         Any individual or volunteer group whose conduct has resulted in dismissal from one facility shall be restricted from participation in volunteer activities at all other departmental facilities.  Reinstatement of the volunteer or volunteer group shall be subject to approval of the Director.

(Source:  Added at 16 Ill. Reg. 8166, effective June 1, 1992)