A Visitor Guide to
St. Dysmas Worship
or What Every Visitor Should Know to
Get In - and Out of Prison!
Eight
visitors are allowed to
worship with St. Dysmas each week at the Mike Durfee State Prison, Springfield,
provided (1) visits are scheduled in advance and (2) visitors are 18 years or
older, AND complete the required Background check.
Completed
Background Checks must be returned to Both Pastor Bill AND Captain Boyd by way of the directions
on the form. Background checks are
conducted by the prison to screen for (1) underage persons, (2) people who are
on an any inmate’s personal visitor list since prison rules allow them access
only to the visit room to visit the inmate or (3) those with prior felonies,
any of which may cause the prison to deny access. Anyone who is denied access
will be notified.
Approved
visitors
should be at the prison entrance, by 5:45 – 5:50 p.m. with
their picture ID such
as driver’s license or student ID for identification with them at the time of
the Thursday night visit; no one is allowed inside without ID. Entrance to the prison will be at 6:00 p.m. and the service begins
at 6:30 p.m.
Items
for special music or presentations which need to be brought in from the outside must be
approved by the prison in advance. Therefore, a list of equipment or items
should be submitted with completed visitor access forms. People bringing in
items should be at the prison by 5:45
p.m. to have equipment or items checked. The inmates DO enjoy your special music.
Except
for approved items to be brought in, visitors can never bring anything in to an inmate or staff
person -- or take anything out for them!
Such actions could result in staff being terminated, disciplinary action
taken against an inmate, and the visitor barred from the institution. And, such
action associated with a St. Dysmas visitor/volunteer may also jeopardize the
ministry being allowed to continue inside the prison.
Dress
code
for prison events is conservative: no shorts, miniskirts or split skirts,
halter, hooded or sleeveless tops allowed. The prison has the right to deny
entrance if they deem attire inappropriate. Purses, coats, pocket or key
knives, cell phones and beepers cannot be taken into the prison and should be
left in the car, or given to Pastor Bill at the front gate.
For
worship, sit among the men in groups of two; no visitor should sit alone. The only allowed contact between visitor and
inmate is a handshake; no other physical contact is allowed. Do not ask
inmates why they are incarcerated or other personal information but respect the
confidentiality of any information you do hear. Also, do not give personal information such as your full name, address or
phone numbers to inmates. If you are asked, do not give such information.
Do
not offer help or promise favors. There
are proper channels for inmates or their families if they need help. If you
have questions or are interested in becoming more involved in prison ministry,
please speak with Pastor Bill.
Your
visit to the St.
Dysmas service is important to the men. It is a way for them to maintain
contact with the outside world, know that they have not been forgotten, and
worship with fellow Christians. They greatly appreciate your coming. And, it is
an important visit for you as you fulfil the directives of our Lord in Matthew
25 and Hebrews 13.
Following
the service and fellowship time, visitors
must leave the prison by 8:55 p.m.
For
further information, to reserve dates for worship or schedule a speaker,
contact Pastor Bill:
St. Dysmas of South Dakota
At Mike Durfee State Prison
Reverend, William Greaver
Box 11
Springfield, SD 56062
605-369-4472 Prison Office
605-583-2931 Zion Church Office