A Community Resource Council (CRC) is a group of civic-minded people who have a desire to serve others and the community. Primary functions of a CRC are to serve as a liaison between the prison and community by promoting volunteerism and stimulating community involvement in our prisons. Every prison is required to have an active CRC. CRC members are all volunteers and appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections (DOC) and are governed by a statement of purpose approved by the Secretary.

Major fundraising efforts follow procedures that allow for the proper documentation of receipts and expenditures. Major projects (greater than $1,000) require the establishment of a separate fundraising body, which must be incorporated as a nonprofit organization.* All major projects must be approved through an established chain-of-command by the Secretary of the DOC.

The CRC may also support other facility programs such as staff appreciation programs, inmate program graduations, cookouts, religious or self-help programs, and support of agency goals. CRC’s can assist inmates’ families to better understand prison policies and procedures.

The CRC provides a critical and invaluable link to the community and helps foster community involvement in prisons as well as improve the image of prisons through education and dissemination of information to the general public. CRC meetings are open to the public.

* We are now incorporated as New Life Center