Everything you need to walk with a leader inside.
How coaching works, the four roads into a jail or prison, where to start in your state, letter and credential templates you can copy, and the guardrails that protect the access once you have it. Built from what NPL coaches have learned in Oregon, Texas and California.
You are the outsider. They are the movement.
Inside, the work belongs to insiders: incarcerated men and women who make disciples, gather others around the word, and train them to do the same. Your job as an outsider coach is to equip, encourage and hold them accountable, without controlling the work.
Most connections come by referral: one insider names another who is hungry, or someone asks for follow-up after reading Scripture or finishing a study. Start with those people. They are already in the word, and many of them are natural leaders.
You don't need the chapel to start. Teach one tool. Wait for them to use it. When they have obeyed it, teach the next one. They start making disciples while they are still learning, the way Jesus trained the Twelve.
Seed Sower
Spread the gospel and gather a group of seekers and new believers. Where every disciple begins.
Can be coached by letters and messages, plus visits.Church Planter
Form those new believers into a healthy church that grows deep and wide.
Best with regular personal or clergy visits alongside letters.Church Multiplier
Train the church to start the next generation of churches, and the one after that.
Helped by group access as a volunteer, or through inside trainers you've coached.Levels from the NoPlaceLeft Academy. Each level takes about 3–5 months.
Don't wait for a badge.
Run the roads at the same time. Roads 1 and 2 can start this month. Roads 3 and 4 take weeks to months, so start the paperwork now and let it process while you coach. Read Pick your lane before you start Road 4.
Write and message
Ask us for a match (see below), write, teach one tool, and wait for them to use it.
- County jails: many now scan personal mail to tablets and want it sent to a mail vendor's address, not the jail's street address. Check the jail's mail page before you send anything.
- State prisons: each state has its own mail rules and messaging app. Many no longer accept greeting cards or padded envelopes.
- Federal prisons: write with the person's register number from the BOP inmate locator ↗. Email through CorrLinks once they add you.
Visit as a personal visitor
Any believer can visit through the normal visiting system. Many jails are now video-only.
- County jails: the person inside usually adds you to their list. Limits vary by jail.
- State prisons: send the state's visiting application once they finish intake. Some states limit how many people's lists you can be on.
- Federal prisons: non-family visitors usually need to have known the person before they went in.
Clergy visits and pastoral standing
Many county jails offer a clergy route: professional visits, clergy hours, or a written certification. It's the closest thing to a one-on-one pastoral visit. Others have none, so ask.
- Get a written license or ordination from your church (templates below). Skip instant online ordinations.
- Get an endorsement letter from your church, and ask us for one from No Place Left Prisons West Coast.
- State prisons usually have no clergy visit category; ministers serve as religious volunteers under the chaplain. Federal prisons allow one minister of record per person.
Volunteer clearance for group access
This gets you into a room with a group of inside leaders under the chaplain. It's the slowest road, and in many prison systems it limits what else you can do. Read the next section first.
One coach can't do everything in every system.
Prison systems often keep cleared volunteers apart from personal contact with the people inside. Decide each coach's lane on purpose, and split the lanes across your team.
| System | Write & message | Personal visits | Clergy visits | Cleared volunteer | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County jails | Yes | Yes, on their list | Often; ask | Some jails | Rules vary by sheriff. Ask each coordinator, and disclose who you already know inside. |
| State prisons | Yes | Yes, through the state's application | Usually no category | Yes | Some states restrict a cleared volunteer from writing to, calling or visiting people in custody without approval (Oregon does). Ask before you apply. |
| Federal prisons | Yes | Usually only if you knew them before | One minister of record | Yes | A volunteer can't also be a minister of record, or be on a visiting or phone list. |
| Alaska & Hawaiʻi | Yes | Yes | Ask the facility | Yes | The state, not counties, runs the jails, so state rules usually apply in jail too. |
How a team uses this: some coaches write, message and visit the leaders one-on-one. Others become cleared volunteers so an approved group can meet with a chaplain-approved leader in the room. Both lanes are the movement. Neither should be crossed without asking first.
Five systems. Five front doors.
Oregon and California have full field guides on their own sites. For Washington, Alaska and Hawaiʻi, here is the official front door, and we'll walk through the rest with you.
Oregon
- Every county jail, county by county: mail, visiting, video and clergy routes, with first steps for this week
- All twelve state prisons, intake at Coffee Creek, and FCI Sheridan
- The coverage map, and the Coach Hub for approved coaches
Know the group rule. In Oregon's state prisons, people in custody may not lead others in religious activities, and an approved activity needs a chaplain or approved religious volunteer. Ask the chaplain before an insider gathers a group (OAR 291-143-0070 ↗).
California
- The CDCR volunteer pathway: the Form 966 application packet, Live Scan fingerprints and annual training
- Form 2037 asks you to disclose anyone in custody you already know
- The California field guide covers the chaplain route and the county jails where the work has started
Inmate ministers. CDCR's operations manual allows people in custody to assist in conducting worship services and religious programs under the chaplain (DOM 101060 ↗).
Washington
- The Department of Corrections Volunteer Program matches volunteers to needs across the state, including religious, spiritual and cultural programs
- Apply with the volunteer application and a criminal history check, then complete volunteer training
Respect a no. Washington's religious programs policy says staff and volunteers may not keep pressing a religious conversation with anyone who has said they don't want one.
Alaska
- Alaska has no county jails. The Department of Corrections runs the prisons and the main jails, and small community jails serve remote towns
- Volunteers apply through each facility's volunteer program: an application, a security background check, an interview and a facility orientation
- Many facilities are far from the road system, so letters, calls and video are the main bridge
Hawaiʻi
- The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation runs the island jails and prisons. Volunteer and religious services sit in its Corrections Program Services Division
- Hundreds of Hawaiʻi men serve their sentences at Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. A mainland coach can write to them and walk with them from anywhere
What to do once you're connected.
You aren't there to run a program. You're there to help an insider obey Jesus, pass it on, and lead.
Look back, look up, look forward.
How are you doing? How did you do with what you said you'd do? Who did you share with, and what happened?
Read a short passage together, or ask them to. What does it say about God? About people? What will you obey?
One tool to practice. Who will you share it with this week? Pray together for those people by name.
A month to get moving
Ask for a match. Look up that facility's mail and messaging rules (see your state below). Set up the account it names. Send your first letter.
Ask to be added to their visitor list. If you're ordained, start the clergy route. Ask your church for an endorsement letter.
First visit. Decide your lane with your team. If it's volunteering, meet the chaplain and start the packet.
The first letter or message
- Say who you are, why you're writing, and who connected you.
- Ask two or three questions. What has God shown you? Who around you is reading or asking?
- Give one simple next step, such as sharing their story with one person.
- Keep it to one page. Short letters get answered.
Listen more than you teach
- Ask for their story: life, faith, family, and what happens on their unit.
- Find out who they're already reading or praying with.
- Leave with one tool they'll use and one person they'll share with.
- Pray before you leave. Ask them what you should pray for.
One tool at a time
- Write or message every week. Visit as often as the rules and your schedule allow.
- Don't teach the next tool until they've used the last one. Obedience comes before more knowledge.
- Work through NPL Academy Level 1 yourself before you coach it.
- As they lead others, coach them to coach their own people, within each facility's rules. That's when it multiplies.
Find the leaders
- Look for a person of peace: open, hungry, and already gathering others.
- Don't overlook gang leaders. In Texas, some of the most fruitful trainers led gangs before they followed Jesus.
- Pour into the few who obey, not the many who only agree.
- Pass every lead from an insider back to us so another coach can follow up.
Same-gender coaching, with accountability
- As a general practice, men coach men and women coach women one-on-one. Couples can coach together.
- Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads in unique ways. When He does, walk in it with healthy accountability, biblical practices and clear ethics: tell your coach or team, keep conversations above reproach, and never go it alone.
- Every county jail has a women's side, and every state has its women's prisons. The need is just as great.
- Many women inside are mothers. Pray for their children by name, and ask before reaching out to family.
Plan for the day they move
- Ask early about court dates, sentencing, transfers and release. County jail is often short; sentenced people go to the state's intake prison first.
- Connect them with a church or house church near where they'll live before they walk out.
- Released leaders carry the movement into their communities. Stay with them through the first weeks.
Copy, personalize, send.
Replace everything in brackets. Write in your own voice. Use a church or P.O. box return address, not your home address. Check the facility's own mail rules for the right address first.
Writing to someone inside
1 · First letter
For a letter or a tablet message.
Dear [First name], My name is [your first name]. I'm a follower of Jesus in [city], and I serve with No Place Left Prisons West Coast. [Who connected you, e.g. "A friend of yours asked us to write to you" / "You asked for someone to follow up with you."] That's me, and I'm glad to. I'd love to hear how you're doing. What has God been showing you? Is anyone around you reading the Bible or asking questions? Here's a first step. This week, would you tell one person your story: what your life was like before Jesus, how you came to follow Him, and what is different now? Then write back and tell me who you shared with and what happened. When you do, I'll send you the next tool. I'm praying for you by name. Your [brother / sister] in Christ, [First name] [Return address or how to message you]
2 · Follow-up letter: one tool
Use this shape every week. It follows look back, look up, look forward.
Dear [First name], Thank you for your letter. [Respond to something specific they wrote.] You said you would [what they committed to last time]. How did it go? Who did you share with, and what happened? This week, read [passage, e.g. Luke 10:1-11]. Read it twice. Then ask yourself: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What will I obey? Here is the next tool: [one tool, explained in a few sentences]. Practice it with me in your next letter, then use it with one person this week. Write down their name now and pray for them every day. Tell me in your next letter how it went and who you're praying for. I'm praying for [their requests]. [Closing], [First name]
Asking to visit
3 · County jail: add me to your visitor list
The person inside adds you. Some jails also want your ID number and address; check the jail's rules.
Dear [First name], I'd like to come see you. If you'd like that too, please add me to your visitor list. You'll need my full legal name, [full legal name], and my date of birth, [date of birth]. [If the jail asks for more, add it here.] Once you've added me, I'll book a visit. If visits at your jail are by video, I'll set up an account and tell you when. We'll keep writing either way. [Closing], [First name]
4 · State prison: after intake
Each state has its own visiting application, and most accept it only once intake is done. Some limit how many people's lists you can be on (Oregon: one per prison).
Dear [First name], I'd love to visit you once you're settled after intake. Write and tell me which prison you've been moved to, and I'll send in my visiting application as soon as I hear. One thing to know: some prisons limit how many people's visiting lists one visitor can be on. If someone near you would like a visitor too, tell me, and I'll ask another coach to write to them. We'll keep writing either way. [Closing], [First name]
5 · Federal prison: visiting, email, minister of record
Non-family visitors usually need to have known him before he went in. Delete what doesn't apply.
Dear [First name], I'd like to stay in closer touch. [Email] If you add me to your TRULINCS contact list using [email address], I'll accept the CorrLinks invitation when it comes, and we can write more often. [Visiting] If you'd like a visit, please mail me a Visitor Information Form (BP-A0629) with your part filled in. I'll complete it and send it to the address on the form. [Minister of record, ordained coaches only] I'm an [ordained / licensed] minister with [church]. If you don't have a minister of record and would like one, you can ask the chaplain in writing to approve me. Those visits don't count against your regular visits. We'll keep writing either way. [Closing], [First name]
Writing to the facility
6 · Clergy visit request (county jail)
For ordained or licensed coaches, where the jail has a clergy route, or to ask whether it does.
[Date] [Jail name] — [Clergy visits / Programs / Jail Commander] [Address] Dear [Name or title], I am an [ordained / licensed] minister of [church name] in [city], [state], and I serve with No Place Left Prisons West Coast, a network that helps incarcerated men and women grow in Scripture, prayer and leadership. I would like to provide pastoral visits at your facility, following your rules for clergy. [Optional: (Name), booking number (number), has asked me to visit.] Please tell me what you need to approve clergy visits. I have enclosed [my ordination certificate / license], a letter of good standing from my church, and a copy of my photo ID. I will keep every rule of your facility and can visit at whatever times you set for clergy. Thank you for your service to the people in your care. Sincerely, [Full name] [Phone] · [Email]
7 · Letter of interest to a chaplain or volunteer coordinator
Send with your endorsement letter. For a state prison, use the chaplain line for that prison first.
[Date] [Chaplain / Volunteer Coordinator / Programs] [Facility name and address] Dear [Name], My name is [full name]. I am a [minister / elder / member] of [church name] in [city], where I have served for [number] years. I also serve with No Place Left Prisons West Coast, a network of churches that helps incarcerated men and women grow in Scripture, prayer and leadership. I would like to learn how I can serve the [men / women] at [facility] under your direction. I can offer [Bible study / one-on-one pastoral care / discipleship and leadership training], [weekly / twice a month], for about [length] per session. About me: [ministry experience, including any prison or jail ministry and where]. I work as [occupation] and am involved in my community through [involvement]. [List anyone in custody you already write to or visit, as volunteer applications ask.] I have enclosed a letter of endorsement from [church]. I would be grateful for 20 minutes to meet and to hear what would serve you best. Sincerely, [Full name] [Phone] · [Email]
Paperwork that opens doors.
Chaplains, jail commanders and volunteer offices want to know a real church stands behind you. Print these on your church's letterhead and have them signed.
Church endorsement letter
From your pastor or elders. Bring it to every application, clergy request and chaplain meeting.
[Church letterhead] [Date] To the Chaplain, Jail Commander and Volunteer Coordinator: This letter confirms that [full name] has been a member in good standing of [church legal name] in [city], [state], since [year], and [was ordained / was licensed as a minister / serves as an elder] of our church on [date]. We know [first name] well and endorse [him / her] to serve incarcerated [men / women] through prayer, Bible study, discipleship and pastoral care, in partnership with No Place Left Prisons West Coast. [He / She] serves under the oversight of our church's leadership. Please contact me with any questions. Sincerely, [Signature] [Pastor or elder name], [title] [Church legal name] [Phone] · [Email]
Minister license resolution (house churches and small churches)
For a church that is a legal entity. Follow your own bylaws. Keep the signed resolution with your church's records and give the minister a copy.
RESOLUTION OF THE [ELDERS / BOARD] OF [CHURCH LEGAL NAME] Date: [date] The [elders / board of directors] of [church legal name], a [state] [religious nonprofit corporation / other entity type], met on [date] with [number] members present, as provided by the church's bylaws. WHEREAS [full name] has been a faithful member of this church since [year], has served as [role], and has shown the character and calling described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1; and WHEREAS the church affirms [his / her] calling to make disciples among the incarcerated; IT IS RESOLVED that [full name] is [licensed / ordained] as a minister of the gospel of [church legal name], effective [date], and is authorized on behalf of this church to preach, teach, provide pastoral care, and visit the incarcerated, under the oversight of the church's [elders / board]. This [license / ordination] continues until revoked by the [elders / board] in writing. Signed: [Name], [title] [Name], [title] [Signature] [Signature]
These templates are a starting point, not legal advice. If your church is unsure how its bylaws handle licensing or ordination, ask an attorney or your denomination.
Protect the access once you have it.
Access takes months to earn and one mistake to lose, for you and for every coach behind you.
Pick your lane on purpose
In many prison systems a cleared volunteer can't also write to, call or personally visit the people inside. Choose before you apply, and split the lanes across your team.
Disclose, never hide
Volunteer applications ask about any connection to people in custody, and jails ask the same. A disclosed relationship is a conversation. A discovered one can be a ban.
Know the group rule
Whether an insider may lead others differs by state. Oregon's prisons don't allow it; California's let inmate ministers assist under the chaplain. Ask the chaplain first.
Respect a no
If someone says they don't want to talk about faith, stop. Washington's policy says so outright, and it is how Jesus treated people everywhere.
No money, favors or messages
Don't put money on anyone's books, pass messages between people inside, or carry anything in or out. Point needs to their family, their church, or us.
Stay out of their case
Don't give legal advice or make promises about court, parole or release. Everything said on calls, messages and visits is recorded.
Keep names private
Names and ID numbers from a match stay with you. Never post them on social media, in group texts, or on a website.
Go two by two
Pair up with another coach, pray together, and report to someone each week. Coaches need coaching too.
Prior records
A record doesn't rule you out. Each system sets its own waiting period for visitors and volunteers, so ask.
Rules change
Confirm phone numbers and steps before you go. If something here is out of date, tell us so the next coach doesn't hit the same wall.
What coaches use every week.
Passage finder
Search 770 passages in every scripture set by topic, Bible reference or code: anger, forgive, John 4.
Training library
The Four Fields manuals, Stories of Hope, the Foundations, Godly Man and Godly Woman, and 40 printable PDFs.
Letter templates
First letter, follow-up, visitor list, state and federal visiting, clergy request, chaplain letter.
Credential templates
A church endorsement letter and a minister license resolution, ready for your letterhead.
Monthly training call
Walk through level one together on Zoom. Next call: the first Saturday of next month.
BOP inmate locator
Find a register number and facility for anyone in a federal prison.
Coach Hub
Approved Oregon coaches log updates, track materials and address envelopes. Sign-in required.
Coverage map
Every Oregon jail and prison, and where the work stands at each one: interested, inside, levels 1–3.
NPL Prisons USA
The Day Room Series and the national learning community for coaches.
Ready for names?
We connect coaches with men and women who asked for someone to walk with them. Fill out the sign-up form with:
- NPL Coach checked
- Your state, city and county
- The jail or prison you want to serve, or leave it blank and we'll match you to the closest one
- In Anything we should know?: whether you'll coach men or women, whether you're ordained, which roads you've started, and the lane you're leaning toward
We reply with one to three people to start with, and how to reach them. Names and ID numbers never go on any website.
One form, two minutes. A real person reads every one.
Official sources only. Visiting, messaging and volunteer rules change; confirm by phone before you rely on them. This page is not legal advice.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: inmate locator · communications · volunteer, visiting and religious policies (P5300, P5267, P5360)
- Oregon: NPL Prisons Oregon coach access, with every source for each jail · OAR 291-143 religious activities
- California: CDCR, become a volunteer · DOM chapter 10, article 6, religious programs
- Washington: DOC volunteer program (policy DOC 530.100) · religious programs (policy DOC 560.200)
- Alaska: DOC policy 819.01, volunteer services · volunteer application, form 20-819.01A
- Hawaiʻi: DCR rehabilitation services and programs · DCR testimony to the Legislature, March 2026 (Saguaro)
- Missionary Agents: NoPlaceLeft Academy