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Corrections Committee

Welcome to the Greater Seattle Intergroup Corrections Committee.

Our mission is to coordinate the work of A.A. members and groups to carry the A.A. message of recovery to alcoholics in prisons and other correctional institutions.

“I take meetings into jail because I was there many
times- sick, hopeless, powerless & alone. Now I go
in because I GET to. I am free from the inside today
because of AA, service & something way bigger than
me, which gives me hope that I can bring a glimmer of
light to even one hopeless soul, just like I was.”
— Angel G., King County Jail Volunteer

We fulfill the following needs:

  • Taking 12-step meetings inside correctional facilities.
  • Providing Big Books and other conference-approved literature to correctional facilities for inmates to request. 100% of these literature requests are funded by GSIG Pink Can Fund Donations.
  • Provide newly released members with an AA member on the outside prior to their release to help get those members to their first AA meeting on the outside.
  • Writing letters to men and women who want recovery support while they serve time.
  • Serve as a clearinghouse of information that District corrections chairs and individual AAs can bring back to their groups.

Facilities we serve

“I have been taking meetings in for almost 2 years. I
caused a lot of wreckage in my alcoholism, and now I
feel truly blessed to be able to sit with women who are
looking for a way out.  This is my living amends to my
sisters In Recovery and my community.”
— Morgan G, SCORE Volunteer

We currently take meetings into the following institutions:

Note: “AA is not allied with any sect, denomination or politics, organization or institution” – while Corrections Committee coordinators by necessity work with correctional facility staff to “clear” AAs who wish to attend 12-Step meetings and supply conference-approved literature to facilities for distribution to inmates, neither the Greater Seattle Intergroup Corrections Committee, individual members of the Committee, nor Greater Seattle Intergroup itself is affiliated with any correctional institution.

If you have questions about the facilities we serve, please email us at volunteercorrections@seattleaa.org.

Pre-Release Program (Formerly known as Bridge)

Contact a released incarcerated person within the first 24 hours and get them to a meeting with the first 48 hours of their release. Help them get to 2-3 meetings so they can meet AA members and get phone numbers. There is no sobriety nor background check requirement for this service.

  Resources

Pink Can Fund – Corrections Literature

This Pink Can Fund idea was “borrowed” from Northern California. It began in that area in 1985. The only purpose of the pink can is to provide GSO, Conference—approved literature to those confined behind the walls. Groups decide by their group conscience if they want to support corrections work in this way. If so, pink can wraps are available through the GSIG Corrections Committee. Usually, the can sits by the literature display or is passed after the regular Seventh Tradition at meetings. Those who wish to contribute may do so by putting in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. The money is then sent to Greater Seattle Intergroup for deposit into a “pink can” account. Checks and/or money orders are made payable to the Greater Seattle Intergroup and marked for “pink can fund.” Contributes are also accepted online at the link below. Please be sure designate the contribution fund as “pink can – corrections fund.”

Ready to Volunteer?

We could really use your help! Check out our volunteer opportunities here.

Please complete our volunteer sign-up form here.

“I am grateful that I was given a second chance at life.
By sharing my story, I hope to simply plant a seed that
AA is here for them when they get out, regardless of
their circumstances”
— Katie Jo, Juvenile Detention Volunteer Coordinator

Join us

We invite anyone to participate who would like to share the message with alcoholics in correctional institutions. Our committee meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. and is currently operating Hybrid at Seattle Intergroup and on Zoom.

Seattle Intergroup is inviting you to a scheduled Hybrid meeting.
Topic: Corrections Committee
Time: Every Second Monday @ 6:30pm
Greater Seattle Intergroup
5507 6th Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98108
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87227719137?pwd=ZzJJRkhYU0F1UTF1S241YkIz
WlB4UT09
Meeting ID: 872 2771 9137
Passcode: 833575

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We Can Come to You!

“When I was in jail, prison, and work release, having
someone bring a meeting in was a gift and a privilege.
They brought hope that things could be different, that
change was possible. I have abundant gratitude for the
experiences and lifeline that was so freely given.”
— MJ [She has 9 years of sobriety]

Is your home group or district interested in learning more about how to get involved with Corrections Service?  If so, one of our Corrections Committee members will attend your business meeting or/and provide a corrections workshop for your home group to district committee. We can discuss the facilities we serve, non-facilities volunteer opportunities, as well as other ways to support Corrections. Are you ready to sign-up? Please email volunteercorrections@seattleaa.org to schedule a date and time for Corrections to come to you.

Corrections Meeting Dates and Sobriety Requirements

Thank you for your interest in helping to carry the message to incarcerated alcoholics. Below is a table showing the facilities we currently take meetings into, along with the day for each meeting, and each facility’s sobriety requirements.

While most institutions have minimum time requirements for how long volunteers must be free of court control, a volunteer’s criminal history does not necessarily keep them from attending meetings “inside”. More clarity about criminal history and the ability to participate in this type of service can be provided by members of the Corrections committee.

For more information or begin the process of getting approved by an institution, email volunteercorrections@seattleaa.org or fill out the sign-up form. (hyperlink “sign-up form” to:https://www.seattleaa.org/service/corrections/corrections-volunteer-form/).

Definitions we use

We use several terms that you may not be familiar with. Here’s a few to help you understand the sobriety requirements for each facility.

Years sober is defined as time since last drink.

Years clean is defined as time since last drug use.

Off paper is defined as the time since you were last under court control, such as probation, community service, etc.

Requirements by facility

Below is the list of the facilities we serve, day of the meeting by gender, where they are located, and the requirements for clearance.

Search
FacilityMeeting genderLocationDay of weekYears sober req’dYears clean req’dOff paper
Bishop Lewis (Work release)MenCapitol HillThu225
Federal Detention CenterMenSea-TacThu225
Federal Detention CenterWomenSea-TacThu225
Helen B Ratcliff (Work release)WomenCentral District SeattleFri223
King County Juvenile Detention CenterBoysCentral District SeattleThu375
King County Juvenile Detention CenterGirlsCentral District SeattleThu375
Kent City JailMenKentTue333
Kent City JailWomenKentSat333
King County Jail – EspanolMenDowntown SeattleTue375
King County Jail (KCJ)MenDowntown

Seattle

Sun, Tue, Fri, Sat375
King County Jail (KCJ)WomenDowntown

Seattle

Sun, Thu375
Regional Justice Center (RJC)MenKentThu375
Regional Justice Center (RJC)WomenKentThu375
S.C.O.R.E.MenDes MoinesSat22Up to 3
S.C.O.R.E.WomenDes MoinesSat22Up to 3
Pioneer Work ReleaseWomen 

Committee resources