Volunteer at the Sheriff's Office

Volunteers are essential to the life of the Sheriff’s Office so please explore the volunteer opportunities and help make a difference in our community.
Page updated on October 17, 2024 at 9:58 AM
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The Sheriff’s Office also welcomes unsolicited expressions of interest from community members. Volunteers will be placed within the Sheriff’s Office only after it has been determined that the service the volunteer will provide is desirable and will not compromise the safety and security of the Sheriff’s Office.

volunteer assisting inmates at jail

Working directly with the inmate population can be a challenging task. Volunteers need patience, maturity, and commitment, and must comport to high standards of character and integrity. In addition, Sheriff’s Office volunteers must meet the following qualifications:  

  • Be a United States citizen or documented alien
  • Have no incarcerations or arrests within the past three years
  • Have no existing or outstanding criminal charges or warrants
  • Have no conflict or negative association with a current Detention Center inmate (for volunteering in the Detention Center)
  • Must disclose all pertinent information requested, and be truthful and give complete information
  • Have no continued pattern of violent or assaultive behavior evidenced by convictions and/or release from incarceration within the past five years for three or more violent criminal offenses
  • Have no conviction of or release from incarceration within the last ten years for institutional escape involving violence or force
  • Not be under current supervision by any criminal justice agency
  • Have no issues or concerns which may call into question their suitability as a volunteer

What kind of volunteer opportunities exist?
Volunteers are offered a variety of options working directly with inmates in the Detention Center itself such as education, recreation (certified aerobics teachers and other physical activities), arts and crafts, life skills, and special one-time leisure programs (guitarists, guest speakers, etc.). Non inmate centered opportunities are in the areas of administration (typing, filing and bookkeeping, consulting, inventory, accounting, etc.) may be available.

If I am unable to volunteer, how else may I help?
In addition to your time, materials are also needed to facilitate programs. The Detention Center is pleased to receive donations of any of the following items:

  • Perfect condition, softbound new or used books for the Inmate Library (softbound only)
  • Pocket dictionaries (softbound only)
  • Rubik's Cubes or similar puzzles
  • Board games, Scrabble, Dominos, Tri-Ominoes
  • Art & crafts supplies (colored pencils, pastel crayons, drawing paper)

Some items are excluded from the jail for security reasons. Please consult with the Volunteer Coordinator before donating any items not specifically mentioned above.

For further information about becoming a volunteer, please Shakayla Farmer at 703.746.5112 or shakayla.farmer@alexandriava.gov.