Do you wonder what it’s like to volunteer in prison? Read one woman’s story of embracing uncertainty and answering the call to go inside.
Becoming a volunteer with M2/W2 had been on my heart for a long time. I first heard about the organization through a church I attended years ago, and when I was in school I studied mental wellness and learned a lot about the effects of loneliness. One professor, in particular, talked a lot about how people in prisons often struggle with mental health issues, and how those struggles can be exacerbated through isolation from the community. At the time I was living out of town, but when I returned to the Fraser Valley, I knew I wanted to get involved.
I took the M2/W2 and Correction Services Canada (CSC) training sessions. I filled out all the paperwork, and I spent time preparing, planning, and waiting for things to fall into place. Going into prison felt intimidating on its own and since I’m a quiet person, the idea of having a two-hour conversation with a stranger also made me nervous. I planned a few conversation topics and hoped we’d have something in common. In spite of this uncertainty, I felt so sure about my calling to volunteer.
Finally the day had come. I was going to the prison with the W2 group and I was going to meet my match for the first time.
About three hours before I left home, a feeling of total panic and unpreparedness came over me. I felt overwhelmed, like I had lost all confidence in following this calling. I tried reminding myself of all the training I had completed, and repeatedly said little prayers for peace and guidance. These prayers continued as I sat in the parking lot at the prison, trying to perfectly time being early, but not too early.
It was a cloudy and grey evening. Everything was lit up, but there was very little activity. Even though the institution is just off a main road, it felt like a totally different world. I watched other cars arrive, and women who looked like volunteers made their way to the prison gate. I said yet another prayer and got out of my car.
I had been to the prison twice before for training and fingerprinting, and I knew the gate had to be unlocked. On an earlier visit, I had pushed the button beside it, assuming that’s what I was supposed to do. The guard inside kindly told me it was not necessary and that they would unlock it from the inside. I remember feeling very out of place.
Trying to hide my anxiety, I followed the women in front of me. As I was being processed, little bits of the training came back to me. The other volunteers recognized me as someone new and began introducing themselves. Everyone was so welcoming and inclusive.
At this time Luminita, our volunteer coordinator, had arrived. She promised to walk me through the evening. We made our way from the processing area to the gym, where a few volunteers and their matches had already begun meeting. One thing struck me right away: I couldn’t tell who was a volunteer and who was a match from the prison. I didn’t realize the matches wore regular, everyday clothes.
In the gym, matches and volunteers sat across from one another, each pair had their own table. Some were drinking coffee, and stopping to say hi on their way to get refills. Others were deep in serious conversations. Still others were laughing together and playing Scrabble.
Everyone seemed to be themselves and appeared comfortable and relaxed. I realized my anxiety for the night was unfounded.
Luminita introduced me to my match and sat with us as we began getting to know each other. My match works at the on-site kennel, and she brought a dog with her for part of the evening. That energetic, friendly dog helped us break the ice, and we found ourselves in conversation. The two hours slipped away and soon we were saying our goodbyes.
I left with my confidence renewed and am looking forward to attending more W2 evenings in the future and growing my relationship with my match.
This story originally appears in the Spring 2020 issue of Impact, the M2/W2 newsletter.