Jail and Prison
Volunteer Opportunities
The open enrollment period (August 1 – September 15, 2025), has begun for individuals wishing to serve as religious volunteers at the Taylor County Jail for the upcoming year.
No applications will be accepted after the September 15th deadline.
Requirements
State Prison Units: Varies for each Prison Unit and state approval is required.
Taylor County Jail: Application, Background Check and Volunteer Training required.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: To be considered, each applicant must 1.) Submit a fully completed and signed application to the jail's front office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the enrollment period; 2.) Include a letter of recommendation from a church leader; 3.) Ensure the name on the application matches the name listed on their Driver’s License or State Identification Card. Applications with mismatched names will not be processed; and 4.) Upon approval, attend a Training class (class information listed below). All applications will undergo a background investigation. Approvals and denials will be finalized by the end of September. A list of those approved will be distributed at that time.
TRAINING CLASS INFORMATION: Everyone who passes the background check will need to take a one hour training class on one of the two dates it is offered: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14th and/or Thursday, October 23rd. The classes will be held in room 100 of the Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave. Abilene Texas 79605. Entrance should be made through the main door on the So. 5th Street side of the building.
Once all requirements have been met and training is complete, an updated Approved Volunteer List will be published. Only individuals on this list will be authorized to enter the facility. This list is expected to be finalized by early November 2025.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants should not contact the jail regarding the status of their application. All updates will be shared through the published approval list that will be sent by the Taylor County Jail Religious Advisory Board.
Highland Jail & Prison Ministry
Highland’s efforts to Restore Abilene includes an emphasis on those affected by incarceration and addiction. This emphasis begins with connections made by volunteers inside the Taylor County Jail and the surrounding French Robertson and Middleton Prisons Units. These connections happen during Bible studies and worship services and continue when an inmate gets released. The relationship continues through Sunday morning worship at Highland, Wednesday night worship at Grace Fellowship and Freedom Fellowship, and a network of support provided both by Highland members and outside entities.
The ministry to those incarcerated at the Taylor County Jail is active and effective by a Religious Advisory Board established in 2010. This Board coordinates 13 area churches to lead weekly worship services, conduct baptisms and hold a weekly New Converts’ class at the Jail. The Religious Advisory Board is a group of volunteers who act as liaisons between the TCJ Religious Volunteers and the Sheriff and his administration staff. As a result, baptisms of men and women are as high as 230+. Additionally, the Board coordinators worship services at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) across from the Taylor County Jail.
Highland members have been actively involved in Jail and Prison Ministry for over 30+ years. Since 2016, several Highland members are serving as Taylor County Volunteer Chaplains and are allowed to have one-on-one visits with inmates. Since 1994 and prior, many Highland members have been involved with the Big Country area State Prisons, the French Robertson Unit and the Middleton Unit surrounding Abilene. Highland members are able to offer regular large and small group Bible Classes during the week and host regular church worship services on Sundays, baptizing men weekly.