Volunteer Mentorship Initiative · Northeast Correctional Complex

Plan on roughly 2–3 hours a month: one visit of two hours, with travel time on the front and back end. Training is brief and front-loaded — about 2 hours total, completed virtually before you're matched.

Regular TDOC volunteers may lead Bible studies, recovery groups, or classes — typically with rotating groups of inmates. VMI is one-to-one and long-term: you're matched with a single mentee for at least 18 months, including the critical 6 months after their release. The framework, training, and continuity are what make it different.

No. VMI is an in-person mentorship program, and the relationship is built through your monthly visits inside the facility. We don't supplement with letters or video calls between sessions — what makes this work is showing up consistently, in person, every month.

TDOC requires a state and federal criminal background check for all volunteers entering a facility. The process is straightforward — your local Implementation Partner provides the forms and walks you through it. Most checks come back in 1–2 weeks.

Active warrants, certain recent felony convictions, or any current relationship with someone incarcerated at the facility you'd be assigned to. Past records are reviewed case-by-case — we encourage you to apply and discuss any concerns with your local team directly.

VMI works with TDOC to ensure mentees are not transferred during the active mentoring period. If for some reason your mentee is transferred, your local team will address it on a case-by-case basis. If they are released, you'll continue with them through the 6-month post-release phase.

Yes — TDOC has specific guidelines for attire, and these will all be covered during training. As for what to bring: you'll receive a TDOC VMI badge, which will be the only item you bring into the facility with you.

Your local coordinator matches thoughtfully based on goals, communication style, and shared interests when possible — but not necessarily demographics. Many of the strongest matches come from differences. The coordinator works with both you and your potential mentee to find a good fit.

Absolutely. Each person will need to fill out their own application, and your local team will do their best to ensure your group is placed at the same facility — assuming the genders match the facility population.

Through the VMI native app, you'll have full access to other mentors at your facility, as well as direct support from your local Implementation Partner — who works in close coordination with the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative and the Tennessee Department of Correction. You're never doing this alone.

No. VMI is a fully volunteer program — there are no fees to participate, but mileage and other expenses are not reimbursed. Your time and travel are your contribution.

You can absolutely be both a TDOC volunteer and a VMI mentor — the two roles aren't in conflict. You will, however, need to complete the separate VMI training. The standard TDOC volunteer training does not cover the mentorship-specific tools and frameworks (like the Science of Hope) that mentors use, so the VMI training is required for everyone joining the program.