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Why One Volunteer Drives Over an Hour to help Men at the IAH Detention Center

Volunteers are crucial at correctional facilities and detention centers. At MTC’s IAH Detention Center in Livingston, Texas, religious volunteers bring messages of hope to those who have a desire to participate.

The facility’s chaplain recently sat down with one volunteer to see why he takes time out of his busy schedule to visit with the detainees.

Chaplain Jerry Owens begins by introducing volunteer Chaplain Rick Sansivirini who drives over an hour to get to the detention center.

Chaplain Jerry Owens

“I have with me today, Rick, who is one of our newest volunteers. He’s been with us right at eight months now. And he has done a fabulous job. Let me ask you, Rick. What is your objective? Why do you volunteer at MTC?”

Volunteer Chaplain Rick Sansivirini

“Our objective is to come and bring hope to the people who are here.”

Chaplain Jerry Owens

“How do you believe that your ministry has helped the folks here?”

Volunteer Chaplain Rick Sansivirini

“I believe it helps them a lot. Starting with me speaking about the word, which is the Bible. And telling them that even though they’re not where they want to be, yet God is here with them and God is helping them every step of the way.”

Chaplain Jerry Owens

“That’s exactly right. I tell you what we try to challenge folks to know and to understand that where you are, where you’ve been does not have to be the model for what you can become. What about the officers and the other people that are employed here at MTC, have they been helpful to you?

Volunteer Chaplain Rick Sansivirini

“Yes. They’ve been very helpful. Even though they’re busy and doing a lot of other things, but yet they go out of their way to help us out to do what we want to do here and what we need to do.”

About IAH Detention Center

IAH Detention Center is accredited by the American Correctional Association—
achieving over 99% compliance for both mandatory and non-mandatory standards in
its most recent audit.