OBJECTIVE: The role of the Chaplain within the MCSO setting is to focus on the spiritual care and encouragement of residents. And to respond with compassion and support all faiths in need of spiritual guidance or pastoral counseling during a time of personal crisis.

THE CHAPLAIN’S UNIT
The Chaplain’s Unit provides the residents housed in the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office detention facilities the opportunity to address the issues they face on a spiritual level that may have contributed to their criminal behavior and subsequent incarceration.

SERVICES
The Chaplain’s Unit offers Religious Studies, Pastoral Care, and distributes donated religious material to the residents. Contact Facility Chaplain at 980-314-5178 if you or your organization would like to donate religious material. Please be aware that the Detention Center cannot receive hardcover books.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Chaplain’s Unit, from time to time, offers volunteer opportunities in either the Chaplain’s Unit Office as a Chaplain Aide or with residents as a Religious Study instructor. If you are interested in either volunteer opportunity, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 980-314-5172 during business hours to find out what may be available. Please note there is an application process and mandatory training prior to any assignment.

Contact the Chaplain’s Unit with any additional questions or concerns at the following telephone numbers:
Detention Center Central Chaplain at 980-314-5179
Detention Center North Chaplain at 980-314-5178

CLERGY VISITS
We invite all clergy to visit residents, with the understanding that they must, first, obtain permission to do so. In order to obtain this permission, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 980-314-5172 during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Interested clergy must have a valid driver’s license or photo ID and clergy/ministerial credentials (i.e. letter from religious organization stating your capacity with the organization).

Approved clergy need to register for visits with residents one of two ways before being allowed to schedule a visit with a resident.

• By visiting the facility lobby and setting up an account via the GTL kiosk

     or

• By going online at https://mecklenburgcountync.gtlvisitme.com/

GUIDELINES FOR CLERGY VISITATIONS
The term Clergy includes pastor, associate pastor, priest, imam, or an approved representative of an approved religious organization.

1. Clergy may visit the same resident only one time each week
2. Residents can receive only one clergy visit per week.
3. Clergy that are related to a resident may not use their clergy status to visit that resident.
4. Visitation is non-contact and is subject to video/audio recording.
5. Clergy visitation is allowed Monday through Friday and on Sunday during the following times:
   • 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
   
   
   • 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
   
   
         8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

REASONS FOR TERMINATION OF CLERGY STATUS:

1. Clergy members must conduct themselves in an orderly manner. If you are deemed to be unruly and/or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol you will be denied visitation and your credentials will be confiscated immediately.
2. Clergy credentials will be revoked for one year. You may still visit the resident as a general member of the public.