Here is a typical meeting format:
Check-in: If you are already established as a volunteer with the prison you may only have to ring a bell and call- in on an outside speaker phone to announce your arrival. Then a guard or Chaplain will let you in, you may have a pass or I.D. badge. If you are not on a volunteer basis and are just starting to go into the facility you may have to sign in and undergo a search process to verify what you are bringing into the prison on your person. Being organized is very important. I remember the first time we entered the federal Prison, we had setup a date and time with the Chaplain, but the Chaplain had forgot to inform the Warden and his officers, we pulled up to the front of the prison on our motorcycles and truck and we were surrounded by security cars with their lights on, and no one got out to check on us, they just sat there staring at us, waiting. Kind of spooky stuff on your first trip in. The Chaplain got the Warden on the phone and assured him we were there for prison ministry and they let us in. The men's camp can be a little harder to enter, by this I mean they may ask you to strip and walk through a metal detector. I have found that women's camp is easier to get entry into, as well as most juvenile detention centers. Have your paperwork in order and keep a clear line of communication open with the Chaplain or officer who is letting you in the facility.
Singing (10 minutes): Start off the session with a few spirited songs singing, use a song list, pass out words if needed. Sometimes you can have the inmates perform solo or as a small choral group. If you are bringing a music ministry into the prison this is the time to connect with the prisoners through music and gospel.
Prayer (10 minutes): Engage in a time of corporate prayer, in English and Spanish, as well as, other languages may be needed. You may find a prisoner who is bilingual and may be helpful with prayer for some of the group. I have been to ministry services and have seen men translating to their friends who don't understand.
Introduction (10-15 minutes): The volunteer leader introduces the lesson and everyone reads the relevant scripture together.
Small Group Discussion (20 minutes): Break into small groups of people to discuss the questions that are associated with the lesson. Generally, a volunteer leader leads each discussion, although some groups are led by experienced inmates.
Summary and conclusion (10-15 minutes): Reassemble as a large group to discuss answers to the questions. The volunteer leader then summarizes and concludes the lesson.
Closing song and prayer: Close with a song and a prayer, often led by an inmate. Be friends, shake hands and get to know these men, women or children. After most of our ministry services it is common to have a line of inmates coming by you and everyone of them wants to hug your neck, be prepared to love.
