Become a Volunteer with the Sheriff's Office

What is the role of a Sheriff's Office volunteer?

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office depends on many volunteers to provide inmate programs and services at the Adult Detention Center and Pre-Release Center, including mental health counseling, religious services, alcohol and drug support groups, health education, library services and job training. These volunteers work with deputies and civilian staff to help inmates to improve their lives during incaceration and to prepare them for a successful transition from jail into the community. If you have experience teaching or counseling in any of the following areas, please join our team as a Sheriff's Office volunteer!

• Life skills
• Parenting
• Job skills
• Personal improvement
• Educational advancement
• Fighting addiction to alcohol and/or drugs
• Spirituality

Sheriff’s Office volunteers are affiliated with many different nonprofit and public agencies:

• OAR: Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources helps inmates get back on their feet both during and after incarceration. Volunteers can help with classes in many of the above mentioned areas.
• Schools/Education: Many of our volunteers are certified county teachers or are otherwise familiar with the school system. Our educational programs allow inmates to obtain their GED, and in some cases their high school diploma, or improve their reading and writing skills.
  
• Religion: We offer both religious studies and services to various denominations, allowing inmates to improve their spiritual life in whatever religion they follow or are trying to regain. Mentors are welcomed for one-on-one spiritual counseling.
  
• Alcohol and Drug Services: Our volunteers have a working knowledge of the AA and/or NA programs; many have recovered from their own addictions. Abstaining from these addictions is a life long process, and our programs strive to help the individual overcome these hurdles.

Volunteer requirements: 

• Alcohol and Drug Service volunteers must have abstained from alcohol and drug use or have been sober for at least five years.
  
• All volunteers must NOT be wanted by law enforcement or court authorities for any criminal charge or civil matter.
  
• All volunteers must NOT have incurred any charges, arrests, convictions or incarcerations within the past eight years and have been off probation and parole for the past eight years.

Volunteer training:

• All volunteers must complete the Sheriff's Office training program.
  
• Volunteers affiliated with OAR and Education must complete separate training programs in addition to the training requirements of the Sheriff's Office.

Application and selection process:

• Complete and submit a Sheriff's Office volunteer application. Questions? Contact Sergeant Donna Honse via e-mail or 703-246-3763. (The hearing impaired TTY number is 711.)

  DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION NOW!

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FAX or mail your application to:
Sgt. Donna Honse
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office - Programs Section
10520 Judicial Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-5404 (FAX)

• Upon receipt of your application, a coordinator will contact you for an interview.
  
• Following the interview, the applicant will undergo a criminal history check.
  
• Upon acceptance, volunteers receive training from the Sheriff's Office and, if applicable, the cooperating agency.
  

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