A prison guard stands near inmates who are in a meeting.

Safety

Members who minister to those who are incarcerated should be respectful and follow all facility rules and safety procedures. They should follow these guidelines as well:

• Avoid being alone with an adult in custody. Providing personal counsel or a priesthood blessing is allowed with the approval of the facility officers and while following their guidelines.

• Members should avoid discussing the details of an individual’s crime, sentence, or required treatments beyond what is needed to help him or her in the repentance process. They should follow membership council procedures. If members learn of any form of abuse, they should immediately contact legal authorities. Branch presidents, bishops, and stake presidents should call the abuse help line for guidance in taking protective measures and meeting reporting requirements (see General Handbook, 38.6.2, 38.6.2.1).

• Members should not give money or gifts to an adult in custody, nor should they make any agreement to do so after the person’s release. All financial support should come through stake, ward, or branch funds. The Church does not pay for an incarcerated individual’s legal or court fees, though it may pay for bus passes, fees to obtain replacement identification, or other welfare assistance (see General Handbook, 22.5.2).

• Members should never share their home address or allow a released individual to visit or stay overnight in their home. Other contact information, such as an email address or phone number, may only be shared with a released individual if the facility rules allow for contact after release and the member has an assignment to provide ongoing support.

• Church leaders and members should not involve themselves in civil or criminal cases for members in their units without first consulting with Church legal counsel (see General Handbook, 38.8.23.1). This includes testifying or making a written or verbal submission to a probation or parole board, as well as corresponding with court personnel on behalf of criminal defendants or others. However well-intentioned, Church leaders sharing information in legal proceedings can sometimes be misinterpreted and even damaging—especially to victims and their families. This policy also keeps the Church from being inappropriately implicated in legal matters. If a leader believes he or she should testify or communicate in a legal matter or if a leader is required to do so by legal process, he or she should contact Church legal counsel. In the United States and Canada, leaders contact the Church’s Office of General Counsel.

  Outside the United States and Canada, leaders contact the area legal counsel at the area office.

• Members should not deliver messages between individuals who are incarcerated and their friends or family.

• In prisons, at least two men or a couple should be called to work with male incarcerated individuals. At least two men, two women, or a couple should be called to work with female incarcerated individuals.

After an individual’s release from a facility, members may provide transportation while following these guidelines:

• The transportation should be occasional, temporary, and for real needs not easily accommodated in another way. Appropriate needs may include transportation to church, medical services, employment interviews, and bus stops or train stations to reunite the released individual with his or her family.

• Transportation should generally be provided only in the community where the released individual resides and will be employed. Long-distance travel should be avoided.

• When transporting a released individual, there should always be two adults in the vehicle in addition to the released individual. This is particularly important when the released individual is a minor or has previously been convicted of serious crimes.