Criminal Justice Ministries Program
Mr. Rick Walker
rwalker@youngstowndiocese.org

The Criminal Justice Ministries Program was established by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in 1995 to serve incarcerated Catholics and others throughout the Diocese of Youngstown. The mission of this all-volunteer lay ministry is to coordinate access for incarcerated persons to the Sacraments, celebration of the Liturgy and bible studies. The ministry seeks to work closely with parishes across the diocese in developing and training parish-based lay ministers to serve the incarcerated in local facilities and with inmate families.

Prison and Jail volunteer staff members are available to visit parishes to speak about this ministry and our mission. These informational visits to the local parishes offer an opportunity for those who may be interested in becoming a lay minister to the incarcerated to hear more about the program. After the presentation, interested individuals may meet with a Criminal Justice Ministries Program volunteer for a one-to-one question and answer conversation. Training seminars for new lay volunteers are held when needed in Youngstown. Additional training seminars are available to parishes throughout the diocese.

The Criminal Justice Ministries Program of the Diocese of Youngstown requires new volunteers to register and complete a diocesan training program before they may minister to the incarcerated as a Catholic lay minister. In addition, new volunteers must attend an orientation sponsored by the correctional facility where he or she will volunteer. Volunteers for the Criminal Justice Ministries Program are normally members of a local parish in the vicinity of the facility where they wish to serve as a lay minister. In the course of registration and orientation, the volunteer's Pastor will be asked to comment briefly as to the volunteer's talents and skills for this ministry.

For more information please write or call:

Criminal Justice Ministries Program
Catholic Charities Services
144 West Wood Street
Youngstown, Ohio 44503
Telephone: (330) 744-8451; e-mail: rwalker@youngstowndiocese.org