Prison Sponsorship
WHAT IS PRISON SPONSORSHIP?
Prison Sponsorship is a subcommittee of the UK NA Region of Narcotics Anonymous, offering 12 step NA sponsorship VIA CORRESPONDENCE, to NA members in prisons and other locked institutions across the United Kingdom regardless of their physical environment or geographical location.
WE NEED SPONSORS NOW:
We have inmates of all genders who would like to communicate with an addict in Recovery. Do you have 2 years clean time? Do you have a sponsor & experience of working the 12 steps? To volunteer or find out how we do it please e-mail: [email protected] or write to: PRISON SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE, PS UKSO, Derby House, 12 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3JJ. Inmates who attend meetings can request a sponsor by filling in our 'SPONSOR REQUEST' post card, found on the literature table at meetings.
If there is no NA meeting or no ‘SPONSOR REQUEST’ cards, NA members can send a short letter providing their Name, Number and Contact details to the following address: PS UKSO Derby House, 12 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3JJ. We will then send them a 'Welcome Pack' with all the information needed as soon as possible.
Posters advertising this service for prisons are available from [email protected]
If you would like to help us find sponsors for inmates, we can send you some cards for your meeting, please email: [email protected]
For PROFESSIONALS & INSTITUTIONS:
If you would be interested in having an NA meeting in your establishment, please call the Helpline on 0300 999 1212
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UK NA PRISON SPONSOR GUIDELINES
In addition to observing the rules of the prison regarding mail and correspondence, the following are guidelines for us to follow when writing to N.A. members on the inside:
1. We introduce ourselves by briefly qualifying so the addict can get to know and identify with us. We let them know, that we are writing to them to act as a sponsor that will take them through the steps.
2. We try to let the inmate know that writing, like all forms of sharing, helps us as much as it helps him or her.
3. We let the inmate know that they are not alone.
4. We stay focused on recovery.
5. We encourage the inmate to attend any N.A. meetings that might be carried to their prison. We also strongly stress the importance of getting a meeting list for the area that they will be released to before they get out. This is so they can have a game plan and know when and where there is a meeting the FIRST day they get out.
6. We send a Basic Text to every prisoner or patient that makes an enquiry with us; we will also send, on request a How It Works and Step Working Guide to every prison sponsee that engages with a sponsor. If there is a desire to send a gift, we suggest a Just For Today or other N.A. literature. Before sending anything, please check with the prison to make sure they will allow it; many prisons only allow literature to be sent in if a request is made first.
7. Never write anything you don't want the whole world to read. All mail is monitored by security in the jails and prisons. Ask yourself before you write these letters: "Would I want everyone to know that I said or did this?"
8. Always use the Prison Sponsorship PO Box PS UKSO Derby House, 12 Winckley Square PRESTON PR1 3JJ. for receiving mail and setting up an emailaprisoner account rather than your home address. It is also suggested that you keep your anonymity by using your first name and last initial or pen name.
9. Alternatively, you can use the Email a Prisoner service. See guidelines and account set up. Please follow the PS Email a Prisoner account set up to maintain your anonymity and keep personal details safe. Could we ask that you inform PS in which way you will be corresponding with the PS Sponsee Post or email.
10. In the spirit of our 12th tradition, we respect the anonymity of correspondents.
11. Men write to men and women write to women and other like for like gender identities wherever possible.
12. Sponsors should reply to correspondence within two weeks of receipt of a letter.