Prison Ministry
About
We provide spiritual support, counseling, and assistance to incarcerated individuals, helping them grow in faith, find hope, and facilitate their reintegration into society upon release.
Have Questions?Who We Serve
Our brothers and sisters in prison, halfway houses, and detention centers
Donate to Our Prison Ministry
Donating to our prison ministry helps transform the lives of incarcerated individuals, offering them a chance for spiritual redemption, rehabilitation, and a hopeful path toward positive change and reintegration into society.
Donate OnlineLearn More About Our Prison Ministry
“At any give time, there are 60 -70 thousand people locked up in these facilities. The reality is that 28% of these incarcerated men and women are Roman Catholic! How can we meet the great demand for pastoral services for 17,000 Catholics? We Need You!”
– Fr. Ron Cloutier (retired), The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Correctional Ministries
Kolbe Prison Retreat: a faith-based retreat program inspired by the life and writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe, conducted in correctional facilities, aimed at helping incarcerated individuals find spiritual healing, forgiveness, and inner transformation.
Kairos Prison Retreat: a Christian-based, volunteer-led, and spiritually focused program that offers a transformative and intensive retreat experience for inmates in correctional facilities, aiming to foster personal growth, reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of faith while building a supportive community within the prison environment.
At detention centers, we distribute the Eucharist to frightened migrants, minister to people who need a friend, and provide hope through Bibles, Rosaries and other materials.
For many men on parole, it is impossible to find proper housing and employment.
With the help of Isaiah and Providence House Projects, recent parolees receive the assistance they need to make a smooth transition to a new life.
This project provides housing, individual case management plans, employment opportunities, spiritual guidance, clothing, and more.
With the help of this program, we are reducing the number of men who return to jail and prison.
It doesn’t take a lot to evangelize. Help a Prisoner grow in his/her faith.
Donate a book and the Prince of Peace Prison Ministry will buy new books such as Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelly, to help people currently incarcerated in a prison unit!
St. Maximilian Kolbe was imprisoned at the Auschwitz German concentration camp in WWII.
He volunteered to die in place of a fellow prisoner, a stranger.
He is the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families, and the pro-life movement.
Volunteer with the Prison Ministry
To become a Kolbe or Kairos Retreat Volunteer, all volunteers must successfully complete the Texas Department of Criminal Justice training for volunteers desiring to enter a Texas prison.
Thank you for your interest in being a TDCJ Volunteer!
Note: both new and current volunteers must submit an online application before training online.
For your convenience, online training is available for new volunteers as well as currently approved volunteers who need to complete a two-year refresher course. If you do not wish to complete your training online, you may attend in-person training after completing the online application.
Completion of training does not guarantee your approval. If you are concerned about your eligibility, contact Volunteer Services prior to training at (936) 437-3021 or (936) 437-3031.
The following online course reviews the rules required to be a successful TDCJ volunteer:
All volunteers will be required to sign an agreement stating that you understand these rules and the risks associated with volunteer work at TDCJ.
Volunteer Opportunities
The role of the volunteer within TDCJ is to provide guidance in specific activities and programs, promote personal growth and development, provide support and assistance to victims and inmates, and help facilitate re-entry into the community. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you are encouraged to apply (see below). New volunteer applicants are required to complete initial training, either online or by attending in-person training sessions. Volunteers are required to re-train every two (2) years.
- Apply: use the online application.
- Train: either online or in-person.
Be aware that new applicants, as well as current volunteers completing their two-year refresher course, must submit an application before training.
Completion of training is not a guarantee of approval. All applications include a criminal background check and are reviewed for eligibility according to the following criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must not have any pending criminal charges.
- Must have been released from an adult prison for at least 12 months.
- If you are on any type of adult supervision, you will be required to provide a letter from your supervising officer acknowledging your participation in the TDCJ Volunteer Program and that the you are meeting the requirements of supervision.
- Must be 12-months from the disposition date of any criminal charge (excluding traffic tickets).
If you have a specific question regarding eligibility, please contact Volunteer Services at 936-437-3026.
Kairos Prison Retreat
Bus trips from Prince of Peace to Prison Retreat Closings
Providing prayer for prisoners
Bringing signed prayer chains and table placemats for community connection and hope
Witnessing the retreatants’ testimonies
Becoming a prison retreat team member
Kolbe Retreat Teams
Teaching the fullness of the truth of the Catholic Church to the incarcerated.
This retreat consists of Inside teams of approximately 12 – 15 faithful Catholic lay persons and offenders who have attended a prior KOLBE retreat.
Minimum of 20 Person outside lay team. The retreats minister to 66 Prisoner retreatants with 10 alternates. Continuing Catholic Education within the prisons is offered!
Detention Centers
At detention centers, we distribute the Eucharist to frightened migrants, minister to people who need a friend, and provide hope through Bibles, Rosaries and other materials.
Halfway Houses
Volunteers at halfway houses assist our residents with their journey back into society by acting as a positive role model, willing to pray and share their faith with others.
Prison Retreats
Thursday-Sunday once or twice a year
Detention Centers
As needed-basis
Halfway Houses
Volunteers pick times based on Project Houses
Because it offers a unique opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals by providing spiritual support, hope, and pathways for positive change, helping them find redemption and transformation.
If you are 18 years old and above, our archdiocese requires all adult volunteers to complete safe environment training.
This short one-hour online training teaches people how to create a secure and protected environment for everyone, especially children, by recognizing and preventing potential risks or harm.
Click here to register for Safe Environment Training.
Former Inmate: “I get out in 13 days (from drug rehab) and will live with my grandparents. I will never be able to thank you enough. I have come to know Jesus as someone who truly loves me. I finally have a new life and it feels as if I have been born again. The streets of Texas are no longer my home.”
Contact Us
Jim Pro
Kolbe Prison Retreat Coordinator
Harold Heath
Kairos Prison Retreat Coordinator
Susan Gallagher
Director of Mercy Ministry
“‘When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”