Volunteering in Prison: Why Women’s Facilities Need Outside Support More Than Ever

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Volunteering in prison helps address gaps in women’s facilities. Learn how programs like STEMpowerment connect volunteers with incarcerated women building futures in The Last Mile classrooms.

Women in prison move through systems largely designed without them in mind. Educational opportunities are limited, career pathways are often narrow, and many residents carry histories of trauma, caregiving responsibilities, and economic instability. In that environment, volunteering in prison introduces professional networks, encouragement, and real-world perspective into spaces where those connections are rare. 

STEMpowerment, a recent pair of volunteering events in The Last Mile classrooms, brought those elements into both the California Institute for Women and the Indiana Women’s Prison. This article focuses on the California Institute for Women event, where volunteers described firsthand how stepping inside a women’s facility reshaped their understanding of impact.

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Why Volunteering in Women’s Prisons Matters

Women in prison often face layered challenges that extend beyond incarceration itself. 

The number of incarcerated women has increased dramatically in recent decades, and facilities designed around male populations frequently lack gender-responsive education, healthcare, and career preparation. Research shows that women in custody are more likely to enter with trauma histories, mental health conditions, and caregiving responsibilities, yet access to tailored programming remains limited. 

Studies show that more than half of incarcerated women are mothers, and separation from children creates long-term family instability. At the same time, many women enter custody with untreated trauma. Research indicates that more than 90 percent of justice-involved women have experienced childhood abuse or violence, and more than 70 percent report intimate partner violence prior to incarceration.

These realities shape the need for community-based programming. Educational access inside women’s facilities remains uneven. Women are often offered fewer vocational opportunities, limited classroom space, and shorter program timelines due to sentence length. Even when programs exist, they frequently focus on low-wage fields rather than high-growth careers, reinforcing economic barriers after release.

The result is a gap that volunteers can help fill. Outside professionals bring exposure to industries, mentorship, and encouragement. These interactions counter isolation and help students envision careers beyond traditional pathways.

The Gap That Sparked STEMpowerment

When Shamiya Anderson started working as a Partnership Manager at The Last Mile, she saw these disparities firsthand. She created STEMpowerment after recognizing the difference in access between men’s and women’s facilities, explaining that the idea began with “a conversation about the difference between education access in men’s facilities and women’s facilities, and the need to build up what that access looks like in women’s facilities.”

Her goal was to create a workshop focused on leadership, strengths, and career readiness. During two recent STEMpowerment events, volunteers rotated through small groups, asking students to identify the qualities that defined how they lead, work, and collaborate. The exercise asked participants to list their strengths, then narrow them to the five that mattered most. Anderson said the process was difficult at first, but “when they finally got down to their top five, there was a sense of ownership and pride in those strengths.”

That moment reflects the broader value of volunteering in prison. In systems where women often receive fewer opportunities, even a single workshop can reshape self-perception. Students also emphasized the importance of community. Anderson noted that feedback centered on “feeling like they got to explore, identify strengths, and build community.”

These events are also made possible by the collaboration of classroom facilitators and facility administrators who help coordinate visits and create space for outside engagement. Their willingness to host volunteers plays a critical role in expanding access to programming. By supporting events like STEMpowerment, facility staff help bring new perspectives into the classroom and make it easier for community members to step inside and contribute.

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Walking Inside: Volunteers Confront Reality

For Cody Heffelfinger, entering a prison facility for the first time created a stark contrast. He described the entry process as structured and intense, saying the security protocols “set a strong tone and created a sense of being watched.” But once he entered the classroom, the environment shifted. “When you walk into the Last Mile classroom, it’s like a light switch turns on. There’s light in the room, there’s friendship, and there’s energy,” he said.

The experience reshaped his understanding of incarceration. He was struck by the resilience of the students. Cody explained that he noticed “how accepting these women were of their circumstances and how willing they were to work with them. They were essentially saying, ‘These are the cards I’ve been dealt, and I’m going to make the best of it.’”

When Cody returned to CIW the following year, he recognized students from the previous visit. He said reconnecting “felt like picking up right where we left off, even though it had been a full year.” The continuity reinforced how meaningful outside engagement can be.

He also reflected on his own growth, describing the classroom as “a platform to observe my own growth, surrounded by people who are working every day to improve themselves and their direction in life.”

Returning Volunteers Strengthen Community

Chad Heffelfinger, Cody’s twin brother, experienced a similar transformation. He described the classroom as “a haven because it was grounded, safe, and completely different from other areas of the facility.” That sense of safety mirrors findings that education programs provide refuge inside prison environments, helping women find purpose during incarceration.

When Chad returned the following year, the relationships continued. He said reconnecting with students “didn’t feel like a year had passed. It felt like we were diving right back into conversations and continuing where we left off.” 

Chad also described how the experience shaped his own perspective on connection and encouragement. He said the moments that stayed with him most were seeing “joy, gratitude, and love on their faces,” especially when volunteers offered final words of encouragement at the end of the session. He emphasized that the energy in the room was reciprocal, explaining that the students’ determination was just as inspiring for the volunteers. 

“These women are trying to do better while they’re here,” he said, noting that the experience encouraged him personally. “You can be in a really difficult position, but you can still find light and a way forward, and these women are pure examples of that.”

Breaking the Hesitation Around Volunteering in Prison

Many professionals hesitate to volunteer inside correctional facilities. Cody addressed that concern directly. He said, “If you have the initial itch to go, then you’re ready. I never felt unsafe. You’re guided the entire time, and once you’re in the classroom, it’s another world entirely.”

Chad echoed that sentiment, explaining that “it’s much simpler and easier than it seems. You are safe, you are protected, and if there’s even a small curiosity, you should go because you will learn something.”

Their experiences highlight an important truth. Women’s prisons often lack access to industry professionals and mentorship. Volunteers help close that gap by bringing perspective, encouragement, and opportunity.

Volunteer Week: Expanding Volunteering in Prison Nationwide

The Last Mile is now accepting applications for Volunteer Week, a national recruitment effort aligned with National Volunteer Week (April 19–25) and Second Chance Month. The initiative focuses on expanding volunteering in prison programs across the country, reaching both men’s and women’s facilities across the United States

Rather than a single event, Volunteer Week is designed as a nationwide call for participation. Community members can sign up to contribute through guest lectures, career readiness workshops, curriculum development, mentorship, and professional development sessions. Once applications are received, The Last Mile team will schedule volunteer engagements based on interest, location, and availability. Events may take place virtually or in person, depending on program needs and volunteer access.

The goal is simple: expand the number of professionals stepping inside classrooms and connecting with students preparing for reentry. Many volunteers begin with a single session and return after experiencing the impact firsthand. Others contribute remotely by reviewing curriculum, hosting mock interviews, or sharing industry knowledge.

More than 90 percent of The Last Mile students report that engagement with community members strengthens their confidence and professional readiness. Showing up, whether virtually or in person, reinforces that someone outside the facility is invested in their success. Volunteer Week creates an opportunity for more people to step into that role and help expand access to meaningful programming nationwide.

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Are You Ready To Visit A TLM Classroom?

Volunteering in prison creates moments of connection that extend far beyond a single classroom. Across both men’s and women’s facilities, outside engagement introduces new perspectives, professional exposure, and encouragement at critical points in students’ journeys. Programs like STEMpowerment show how even short interactions can spark confidence, strengthen identity, and reinforce the belief that opportunity exists beyond incarceration.

For volunteers, the experience often reshapes assumptions. For students, it signals that someone outside the system believes in their potential. That exchange builds momentum in both directions. Conversations turn into mentorship. Workshops turn into confidence. A single visit can shift how someone sees their future.

As The Last Mile expands volunteer opportunities nationwide, more professionals have the chance to step into that role. Whether through a guest lecture, career readiness session, or remote mentorship, volunteering in prison offers a direct way to invest in people preparing for reentry. The impact is immediate, personal, and lasting—one conversation, one classroom, and one connection at a time.

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By Robert Roche, VP of Marketing at The Last Mile

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