AREN

Division of Prison Ministry

Affiliate Program
What is the Affiliate Program?
Alternative Religion Educational Network, Inc. (AREN) the Division of Prison Ministry Affiliate
Program is designed to collect and maintain an up to date detailed list of covens and groups who are willing
to work with inmates that contact AREN.
This program is also designed to eventually be integrated into a working relationship with DOC of
many states and hopefully one day nationally. We are hoping to one day be a sort of clearinghouse for
DOC on a national level that can locate a willing volunteer for their facility or at least a sponsor for an
inmate within a facility.

Why is this program needed?

Many states have allowed DOC to create guidelines and policies for religious services that include
a volunteer or if there is a lack of one.
Due to the many problems of gangs within DOC, for an inmate to receive the right to begin a
Pagan, Wiccan, or Witchcraft group they must have a recognized religious group from the outside to
sponsor them. This is to insure that no gang-affiliated groups get started under the pretense of religion.
AREN receives many requests from inmates all over the country, but many in South and North
Carolina due to AREN's national office being located in South Carolina. Unfortunately, national cannot
correspond, volunteer or sponsor all the inmates that contact them. Most of the correspondence is
regarding inmates desiring a religious volunteer within their facility or a sponsorship.

What are the benefits of joining the Affiliate Program?

There are many benefits for joining the AREN, the Division of Prison Ministry, Affiliate Program,
but none of the ones listed will be as significant as the one you will receive inside for assisting to create
change by working with those who need to change so our society can be a better place.
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Whether or not you have 501C status, AREN can and will recognize you as a religious entity.
The application will provide AREN with the necessary information to a DOC facility to make
arrangements for your special ministerial visit, while waiting for the volunteer application
approval process, which depending on the facility, it can and does take up to six (6) months.
A national organization will be watching your back to insure that no discriminatory acts take
place at your facility or to the inmate you are sponsoring.
You not only assist the inmate, but also teach staff religious tolerance and understanding.
Through the volunteer work you do, you are over coming obstacles for those who will follow
in your footsteps.
You will receive a AREN affiliate card and if you send in your picture, you will have a AREN
photo card affiliate card.
It's free...

AREN
Division of Prison Ministry
Affiliate Program Application
Name :______________________________________________ Title: _____________________________
Date of Application: ____________________ Coven or Group Name: _____________________________
Address: _______________________________________________ City : _________________________
State : _________ Zip Code : _______________ Phone Number: _________________________________
Fax Number : ____________________________ Email Address : ________________________________
Driver's License Number : ___________________ State Issue : _______ Expiration Date : _____________
Date of Birth: _________________ How long has your coven or group been active? __________________
Tradition: ____________________________ How many times per month do you meet? _______________
Are you interested in sponsoring inmates in facilities that do not have a volunteer? ___________________
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer for the state DOC facility near you? ______________________
If so, how many times per month could you visit the facility ? ___________ Length of Visit____________
Days that are good for you: _________________________________________ Time : ________________
Do you have any documents that support your position in regards to training or initiation? ______________
If so, please include a copy with this application. (Some facilities need for their records. )
How long have you been a practicing Pagan, Wiccan? ___________________________________
Are you biased based on gender, sexual orientation, or race? _____________________________________
If so, please explain to us, if you need more space please attach with a separate piece of paper :
______________________________________________________________________________________
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How far are you willing to travel to a facility round trip ? ________________________________________
Please tell us about your basic belief structure:
______________________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of applicant : ____________________________________________Date : _________________

AREN
Division of Prison Ministry
Sponsorship Program
What is the Sponsorship Program?
Alternative Religion Educational Network, Inc. (AREN) Division of Prison Ministry due to a need
created by the DOC of several states, has had to create a program of sponsorship for incarcerated Pagans,
Wiccans and Witches due to the lack of volunteers within their facility or a volunteer that cannot do regular
visits within a facility.
This program is designed for a knowledgeable Pagan to be able to request a group within their
facility, lead that group through study, rituals and holidays as a recognized knowledgeable leader for
beginning students.

What are the requirements for Sponsorship?

For AREN or an affiliate sponsor group to sponsor an inmate they must do the
following or meet the following guidelines:
1. Complete a Request For Sponsorship Application
2. The facility must have a policy in affect that demands sponsorship from an
outside group.
3. Provide any documents that support their allegation of training (first-degree
document, completion of studies certificate, etc.)
4. If you have no documents, and then you will need to provide a list of teachers
with addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses so that we can verify the
information you have submitted.
5. A copy of the DOC regulation or policy demanding outside sponsorship.
6. Names, address, fax and phone number of Chaplain of your facility.
7. A detailed list of infractions you have had within the facility within the last
year along with detailed statements of the infractions.

What will disqualify me for the Sponsorship Program?

As with any program there are certain behaviors or other aspects that
will get you disqualified for this program.
1. If you have six (6) write ups a year that were proven.
2. If your information is false.
3. If you performed any ritual abuse to either people or animal.

AREN
Division of Prison Ministry
Sponsorship Program Application for Sponsorship
Name of inmate requesting sponsorship: ____________________________
Date of request: ___________ Facility Name: ________________________
Inmate Number: __________ Address : _____________________________
City: ________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: ________
Facilities Chaplain Name: ________________________________________
Chaplain's Phone Number: __________________Fax Number: __________
Please provide AREN with any documents that can support your education
within Paganism and list what you are attaching to this application:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Please provide us with any of your teacher's name, address, phone number
or email address along with dates of your learning.
Teacher Name

Address

Phone Number

Email Addresses

Date of Training

Please provide us with all dates, time, type of infraction and the result of any
write-ups against you within the last year in any DOC facility.
Date and Time of Infraction

Type of Infraction

Result of Infraction

Please tell us why you are requesting sponsorship:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Is there a DOC policy that demands outside sponsorship? If so, please attach
to your application. Yes _______ No______
Please tell us the about the studies you plan to conduct once you begin your
group through sponsorship:
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Is there anything else you feel we should know to aid us in locating you a
sponsor and sponsoring you as a group leader?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

AREN
Division of Prison Ministry
DOC Discrimination Complaint Form
Name of Complainant: _____________________________Date of Application: ______
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________State: _________Zip Code: _______________
Inmate Number: _______________________Age: _____ Date of Birth: _____________
Facility Name: _______________________________ Phone Number: ______________
Superintendent's Name: _________________________________ Extension: _________
Facility Chaplain's Name: ________________________________ Extension: _________
Have you filed a grievance? Yes ____ No ____ if so, please attach a copy.
Have you received a response from your grievance? Yes _____ No _____ if so attach a
copy to this application.
Who committed the act of religious discrimination? ______________________________
Title of individual within DOC? ___________________ Date of Discrimination: ______
Tell AREN what happened (if you need more space please attach paper):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________ ________________________
Signature of Inmate Filing Complaint
Date