Corrections & Treatment Facilities (T&C) Resources
Resources for AA members and groups involved in Corrections and Treatment & Corrections (T&C) service work in the Greater New Orleans region.
What is the Role of the Corrections Liaison?
"Group corrections representatives take part in local intergroup (central office), district or area corrections committee meetings. They keep their home groups informed about local Twelfth Step activities in nearby institutions and encourage group members to participate."
"Corrections representatives, known in some areas as hospitals and institutions (H&I) representatives, take A.A. meetings into prisons and jails, where allowed by the correctional facility, to help alcoholic inmates recover and prepare for sober, fulfilling lives after release. As part of the temporary contact program known in some areas as Bridging the Gap, they may also serve as correspondents and as A.A. contacts when the inmates are released."
Corrections Correspondence Service (C.C.S.)
The C.C.S. links A.A. members who are in custody with A.A. members on the outside so that both can share their experience, strength and hope with each other. It is one of the most meaningful ways an individual A.A. member can carry the message — no facility access required, just a willingness to write.
C.C.S. Insider Request Form — for A.A. members currently in custody who want a pen pal correspondent
C.C.S. Outside Volunteer Form — for A.A. members on the outside who want to correspond with someone in custody
To submit a correspondence form by mail, use the tear-off form in pamphlet F-26 and mail it to the GSO Corrections Desk, or email corrections@aa.org.
AAWS Literature & Resources
The following publications are available online through AA.org. Print copies of many of these are also available at Central Office (638 Papworth Ave Ste A, Metairie).
Core Resources
Corrections Committees — Overview of corrections service work, tools and ideas for committees, and links to all related resources — aa.org
Corrections Committee Workbook (M-45i) — The primary resource for A.A. members carrying the message behind the walls. Covers forming committees, starting meetings in facilities, funding literature, and the Corrections Correspondence Service. Read online or order a print copy.
Contents of the Corrections Kit (F-68) — The Kit contains the workbook, corrections-specific pamphlets, DVDs, and guides to using Grapevine and La Viña in corrections work.
Carrying the Message Into Correctional Facilities (F-5) — Pamphlet covering the basics of bringing A.A. into prisons and jails.
A.A. in Correctional Facilities — Overview of how A.A. operates inside correctional facilities.
The A.A. Group Handbook for Groups That Meet in Correctional Facilities (CF-36) — Developed specifically for A.A. groups inside facilities that may have little or no contact with outside A.A. Not available to order from GSO but available electronically for members who take meetings inside.
For Corrections Professionals
A Message to Corrections Professionals — For probation officers, prison administrators, and those in the judicial system. Explains what A.A. is, what it can do, and how groups function inside a correctional facility.
Newsletters & Periodicals
Sharing From Behind the Walls — Published quarterly by GSO. Contains excerpts from letters sent to GSO by persons in custody, with their permission. For distribution to A.A. members in correctional facilities.
AA Grapevine — Annual Corrections Issue — Published each July, this issue of the Grapevine focuses on corrections service work and recovery behind the walls.
Videos (free, available online)
A New Freedom — Available in 3, 15 and 30-minute versions. Widely used at workshops and events to inspire members to get involved in corrections service work.
A.A. in Correctional Facilities — Shares the professional's perspective on the value of A.A. as a resource inside correctional facilities.
Resources Available at Central Office
Paper versions of pamphlets and resources may be available at Central Office, 638 Papworth Ave Ste A, Metairie.
A.A. In Prison: Inmate to Inmate
Free on the Inside: Stories of A.A. Recovery in Prison (Grapevine)
F-26: Corrections Correspondence Service tear-off form
Ideas for Getting Involved in Corrections Work
You do not need to have been incarcerated to do corrections service work. Sobriety in A.A. is the only prerequisite. Here are some ways to participate:
Bring an A.A. meeting inside a local facility (contact the T&C Committee for guidance on getting started)
Volunteer as an outside correspondent through the Corrections Correspondence Service
Serve as a Prerelease Contact for someone transitioning back into the community
Pass the "pink can" or set up a "jail box" at your home group to fund literature for people in custody
Share the "Sharing from Behind the Walls" newsletter at your home group
Encourage former persons in custody to share their experience at meetings — their stories carry real weight
Individuals in custody are more interested in learning how we got and stayed sober through the Twelve Steps than in hearing about time we may have spent behind the walls. Experience strength and hope is what we bring.
How to Get Involved
Home Group T&C Committee Your home group may already provide T&C outreach meetings to local facilities — ask at your next group business meeting. You can also look into starting a T&C initiative with the AAWS resources listed above.
District T&C Committee Attend your monthly local district meeting to connect with others doing corrections service work at the district level.
Service Board T&C Committee Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:30 PM at Central Office, 638 Papworth Ave, Ste. A, Metairie.
Corrections Correspondence Mail the tear-off form (F-26) to the GSO Corrections Desk, or email corrections@aa.org.
Contact the GSO Corrections Desk directly aa.org/contact-corrections