The mission of Prison Ministry in the Archdiocese of Portland is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities.
All parishes are called to participate extend care to those in prisons and jails, assist persons in re-entry and establish resources to lead/coordinate volunteers.
Who in your parish wil volunteer to regularly visit your county jail in a ministry/volunteer capacity? We need help in getting a core of Catholic volunteers on call for each county, who can visit and pray for new prisoners as the first step in breaking down the culture of isolation and shame that too frequently accompanies even minor offenses.
The Archdiocese is here to support parishes to realize the fruits of empathizing with all walks of life, and applying our faith into more active listening, wider imagination, and more participatory kinship with our brothers and sisters involved in the crueler realities of the world.
County and city facilities follow different sets of rules than the state and federal prison system. Contact the facility directly for the requirements for ministry.
In most cases, there is not a “blue card process” like the state facilities. Sometimes there is a simple one-hour process and only an ID needs to be shown.
Many times inmates in these facilities are awaiting charges, court date, sentencing, or transport to a state or federal facility.
Some Jails have only very limited sized rooms for ministry activities
Oregon Youth Authority Facility Services
Male
Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility
Tillamook Youth Correctional Facility
Female
Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility
Transition/Work Study Facilities
Camp Florence Youth Transitional Facility
Camp Tillamook Youth Transitional Facility
Young Women's Transition Program