Managing Records and Resources

Acquiring Membership Records

In many cases, the membership status of an adult in custody is not known, even by the individual. Knowing an individual’s membership status is important for him or her to progress along the path toward the Savior. However, leaders should not wait to help an individual repent, receive blessings, and come unto Jesus Christ while records are being acquired.

Follow these guidelines when deciding where to keep or move an incarcerated member’s records:

• If an individual’s term of incarceration is less than six months, his or her membership record should remain in the individual’s home ward.

• If an individual’s term of incarceration is more than six months, his or her membership record should be kept in the unit that can best meet the individual’s needs. Some factors to consider include the following:

  • Likelihood of the individual returning to his or her home ward

  • Location of family members

  • Stake leadership best prepared to provide a meaningful membership council and help the individual return to the covenant path

If an individual’s membership was formally withdrawn by a membership council, there is no membership record. See General Handbook, 32.2, for more information.

Quarterly Reports

Leaders should provide the following data to their stake president each quarter:

• Average attendance of incarcerated individuals in worship services, classes, or other programs

• Total number of adults in custody who participated at least twice in worship services, classes, or other programs

• Ministering needs of newly incarcerated individuals who are participating in these programs

• Progress report on efforts to help those who have recently been released

• Number of members called or other volunteers

• Accounting of materials purchased and other costs

• Status of working relationship with prison officials and chaplains, including recommendations for improvement as needed

Budgeting

If a prison or jail facility branch has been organized, budgets are created and approved the same way they are in other wards and branches. The average number of adults in custody attending worship services should be counted as the number of members attending sacrament meeting.

If a prison ministry group has been organized, the cost of scriptures, Liahona magazine subscriptions, and other materials should be paid using fast offerings from the stake. If more funds are needed, the stake president may send a request to the Area Presidency.

Leaders are encouraged to be generous in their efforts to help individuals who have recently been incarcerated and their families to reestablish themselves in a ward with safe housing, employment, and other basic needs.