Jefferson City Correctional Center Recognition

Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC) is a maximum-security level prison that coordinates eight offender organizations which help offenders make a difference in their lives and those of the people in our community. Mayor Ron Fitzwater spoke at the offender organizations awards event to show appreciation of each of their efforts to provide charitable service. positively impacting our community, and their persistence in  striving to move forward. This was an excellent opportunity to meet and thank those who are giving back to our community.

These offender organizations raise money and return most of it to programs in society that help people in need. These organizations provide donations to various shelters, support centers, food banks, local schools, and provide sheltered dogs training to prevent being euthanized. 

Annually, these offender organizations put nearly $120,000 back into the economy though sales, projects, and donations.

Each of these organizations annually participate in purchasing back packs and donate them to four local schools. The organizations have agreed to adopt Lawson Elementary School receives backpacks and also receives money for their Safety Days, at Halloween. For Safety Days, the offenders sponsor programs at Lawson Elementary to discuss safety for Halloween with students while passing out glow sticks and accessories for visibility, as well as a hardy amount of candy and treat bag.

Below is information on the eight offender organizations.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): This group is made up of Vietnam veterans, former military servicemembers and their supporters. The group gives Veterans the opportunity to talk about their experiences in combat and the impacts that has had on their lives. They also help each other navigate the forms and processes necessary to get the benefits and treatments provided to veterans by the government.

Donations are typically given to Veterans homes around the state, Honor flight and various non-veteran charities.

Visiting Room Activities Committee (VRAC): The men of VRAC support special events in the visiting room. Sponsoring events on days such as Mother’s Day, 4^th of July, Halloween and Christmas. This group encourages people to visit their incarcerated family members and supports morale programs.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP):  This group supports programs supported by their national branch as well as advocating for prison reform.

Offenders Offering Alternatives (OOA): Members of this organization meet with offenders going through the court system, typically at the direction of a Judge or Parole officer. They speak with the Parolee to give advice and offer suggestions to change the course of their future.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): This group assists Alcoholics as well as drug addicts maintain their sobriety.

Toastmasters: This group helps offenders learn to speak in front of a group while giving them reasoning skills.

Restorative Justice: This program is meant to make offenders reflect on their actions and to see how their actions impact the victims. Victims come in for a panel to confront offenders in impactful sessions.

Restorative Justice maintains a sewing room where they craft items to distribute to the needy through various donation centers. One of their noted crafts are weighted blankets and stuffed animals to gift children with sensory-related sensitivities or Autism.

Puppies for Parole (P4P): This group works with local shelters to keep dogs from being euthanized. Offenders train and socialize the animals to set them up to be more manageable pets. Often taking abused animals, they teach them to trust humans again. The program will also teach animals to help children and adults with special needs.

For more information on the organizations at Jefferson City Correctional Center, please contact Institutional Activities Coordinatior, Daniel Krachey

(Daniel.krachey@doc.mo.gov)