Prison Guidlines
GUIDELINES FOR PRISONS/PRISON COMMITTEE1. Prisons are not a group commitment. An individual accepting an assignment is solely responsible for carrying our message to the correctional facility. Notify the Director, Eileen S., (215) 370-8610, or the Assistant Director, Bob H. (215) 847-0231, or Host (see Interviews or Contact Sheet, as soon as possible, if the assignment cannot be kept for any reason.
2. Individuals accepting assignments should make sure that speakers he/she takes are familiar with these rules. No speakers with under a year sobriety continuously, please.
3. When representing this committee inside the walls, we must always remember to identify ourselves as alcoholic and alcoholic only.
4. A minimum of one year continuous sobriety to chair a meeting. Members under eighteen years old are ineligible.
5. Make a sincere effort to attend all monthly meetings and accept committee assignments.
6. We must cooperate with the officials and see to it that our conduct is such that A.A. will always be welcome in their institutions; become familiar with and abide by Prisons’ regulations.
7. We must always remember that we carry nothing in or out of any Prison except the A.A. message- No letters or notes. Personal articles should be left outside. Contraband such as:
a. Weapons: knives (pocket or otherwise), scissors, or guns.
b. Money.
c. Chewing gum or candy..Food including coffee, sodas etc.
d. Prescription medication.
e. Literature, other than A.A. literature …is prohibited.
8. We must always be mindful of principles before personalities. Keeping in mind, we do not give inmates our home address, P.O. Box number, or telephone number, but rather, refer all communication to phone numbers 1-877-9 dial AA. or 215-923-7900 and mail to SEPIA, Prison Committee, 444 North Third St., Suite 3-E-B, Box A2, Philadelphia, Pa.19123-4179.
9. Prisons have regulations regarding attire. The following dress is considered inappropriate: Jewelry (other than watch or wedding band), t-shirts, shorts, halters, mini-skirts, tight-fitting or see through clothing. Note: khaki colors are prohibited in Federal Institutions.
10. No member of this committee, or its speakers, will involve themselves with any other activity at any Prison we serve, at any time, in order to avoid possible conflict resulting in damage to:
a. the inmates we serve
b. the working ability of the committee
11. It is the responsibility of the person taking the commitment to insure that the A.A meeting is not used as a guise for visiting purposes or other inappropriate reasons. Any one having personal affiliation with an inmate should exclude themselves from that particular institution: i.e. family members, lovers, close personal friends,etc.
12. Do not give out cigarettes, even if asked.
13. Any member is automatically disqualified from further Prison activity, of any nature, upon the loss of his/her sobriety, but may again become eligible when he/she meets the requirements of the guidelines.
14. In general it is recommended that males be accompanied by a female at women’s facilities and visa-versa. Men cannot go into Women’s meetings at Delaware County prison.
15. Former inmates or persons currently on parole or probation are required to attain written approval of that particular prison to enter.
16. If you are late for a meeting and the Host has started the meeting, it’s the host’s meeting unless he/she decides to turn the meeting over.
17. All contact with prisons, except to call in for a clearance or for directions shall be made by the Director or the Assistant Director of the committee. No exceptions.
18. AA members are asked to NOT SIGN ANYTHING given to you by the inmates.
ADDED INFORMATION
A. Chairperson and speakers should carry driver’s license or picture identification to verify identity if required by the correctional facility.
B. A.A. does not provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers or court officials, nor do we provide money, housing, jobs, clothes, legal or marital advice.
Approved by Prison Committee members in 8/04