Bill Wilson
“Every A.A. has been, in a sense, a prisoner. Each of us has walled himself out of society; each has known social stigma. The lot of you folks has been even more difficult: In your case, society has also built a wall around you. But there isn’t any real essential difference, a fact that practically all A.A.s now know. Therefore, when you members come into the world of A.A. on the outside, you can be sure that no one will care a fig that you have done time. What you are trying to be—not what you were—is all that counts with us“
Why A.A.s Carry the Message Behind the Walls
Many A.A. members are unaware of the important work being carried out by corrections committees. To those involved, however, corrections work is an opportunity to carry the A.A. message to the confined alcoholic who wants to live sober, one day at a time. Through a corrections committee working with corrections personnel, alcoholics are reached who might never otherwise find the A.A. program.
An active corrections committee is a vital link to prisons and jails, providing professionals and other workers in correctional facilities with information about A.A., literature, and guidelines for setting up A.A. groups on the inside. . . . .
Corrections Workbook Pg 4
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Bill W. wrote to a prison group in 1949
When sharing about Corrections service, we can refer to an excerpt from a letter that our cofounder Bill W. wrote to a prison group in 1949:
Every A.A. has been, in a sense, a prisoner. Each of us has walled himself out of society; each has known social stigma. The lot of you folks has been even more difficult: In your case, society has also built a wall around you. But there isn’t any real essential difference, a fact that practically all A.A.s now know. Therefore, when you members come into the world of A.A. on the outside, you can be sure that no one will care a fig that you have done time. What you are trying to be—not what you were—is all that counts with us
CORRECTIONS for District 45 – September 21st, 2022
Greetings:
I was privileged to attend the Voting Assembly in Vernon with some of our other service people from District 45. We got to vote in 7 people onto the General Service Committee with another 7 to be appointed by November. We were able to deal with all of the Motions including those dealing with money. It was inspiring to hear the Minority voice speaking up as well as a lot of good questions at the microphone.
This past weekend was the District 45 Roundup in Chilliwack. On Saturday at 11 am, Corrections was able to hear the story of Theresa O. from Abbotsford, share her story from the Inside – Out and the important part that A.A. was able to play in her life then and even up until now. Her talk was recorded and should be posted shortly on our Podcast portion of our Chilliwackaa.org website. I will encourage you all to hear what she has to share with us.
Please consider announcing this at your groups and let me know if anyone is interested or has any questions:
“Would you be willing to spare at least one hour a month
to help support our Inside AA members?”
Blueberry Hill group – Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village – WEBEX – HYBRID
There is a meeting every Saturday from 10 – 11 am. Last Saturday, we only had on outside participant and that was on Webex.
Keep It Straight group – Mountain Institution
We have two meetings back to back with about 7 in the first meeting and about 5 in the second meeting. There were no outside AA participants for the past two weeks because Jean and I were tied up with other A.A. responsibilities.
We are working on bringing a GSR and Alternate GSR to the District meeting (and other A.A. meetings and Events) from this Institution.
One of our Inside A.A. members (who has reading challenges) asked for an Audio CD set of the Big Book and Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions and will be paying for them. Owen C, our Literature Chair has also thrown in “Living Sober”.
Living Right group – Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Provincial)
Jeff and I are going up. The meeting starts at 6 pm for the regular meeting and then we do the Steps through the Big Book in the next hour. There has only been one volunteer going up for the past two weeks.
Open the Gate to Freedom group – Kent Institution
We are hoping to get a regular meeting going sometime in Mid October.
The Structured Intervention Unit (SIU) continues to be a source of Twelve Step calls. I see on average 2 -3 individuals a week.
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“CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS”
MISSION STATEMENT
To carry the A.A. message of: recovery, unity and service. To inform, teach and unite our Corrections Volunteers and prospective Corrections Volunteers.
NEXT: CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS MEETING
Wednesday October 5th, 6 pm
Zoom ID 285 909 9992 Pass 427248
Our CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS Round Up will be held:
Saturday, March 25th, 2023
Level Ground Church in Abbotsford.
Pen Pal Plus Program continues to grow, with over 50 fellows and 10 women participating in this important tool of recovery.
Live meetings (less than an hour away) are now happening at:
Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Provincial)
Fraser Valley Institution (Minimum & Medium)
Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village
Mountain Institution
Mission Medium
Mission Minimum – No A.A. meeting for a month because the one volunteer was away
Pacific Institution
Upcoming Events
A.A. (GVIS) Vancouver Corrections Round Up
November 5th, 2022
Saturday 9:30 am – 9:30 pm Cost: $20.00
Heritage Hall
12460 Harris Road
Pitt Meadows, BC
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If you or your group would like to learn more, I would be only too happy to speak with you or offer a presentation.
YILAS, Clifford T.
MAY REPORT
Corrections:
CORRECTIONS COULD SURE USE SOME HELP
I had encouraged each of you to ask the question at your next Business meeting if you would consider having a Corrections presentation or a Corrections Representative.
I attended the Steps and Traditions group (at Carmen United) on March 23rd. It was excellent that one of their next speakers at the group had been incarcerated and had witnessed the value of having Outside A.A. members coming in to reach out to the still suffering alcoholic.
__________________
District 45 is starting this year with four full time volunteers and one part time volunteer.
To assist in Corrections, you may help in any number of different ways, (your choice):
- Attend inside A.A. meetings. We have one Provincial Correctional Centre and three Federal Institutions in District 45. Feel free to attend once a month.
- Help to create a Corrections Committee for District 45.
- Attend our Corrections Connections meetings (once a month). District 45 Chilliwack as well as Abbotsford, Mission and White Rock are active participants in this endeavor.
- Participate in the local Pen Pal Plus program or the Corrections Correspondence Service.
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District 45 Registered Inside A.A. groups
Living Right group – Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Provincial)
I went for the first time on Thursday – March 17th. There were 6 people in attendance with one person getting out on April 19th and one person getting out in August. The August fellow filled out a Pre-Release form which is now in the hands of our Area 79 Corrections Chair.
We were to go tomorrow evening but they are in a Covid protocol, hence a lock down.
We have two volunteers for this site.
Open the Gate to Freedom group – Kent Institution
The Structured Intervention Unit (SIU) continues to be a source of Twelve Step calls.
We have two active volunteers for this site.
Keep It Straight group – Mountain Institution
They continue to have their own Inside A.A. meetings on Monday and Friday. We were planning to open up after this Easter Holiday weekend, but they are now having a large Covid outbreak and will be in quarantine for the next while.
We have two A.A. volunteers for this site.
Blueberry Hill group – Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village – WEBEX – HYBRID
There is a meeting every Saturday from 10 – 11 am
We have one consistent A.A. volunteer from the outside and two or three on Webex.
__________________
“CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS”
MISSION STATEMENT
To carry the A.A. message of: recovery, unity and service. To inform, teach and unite our Corrections Volunteers and prospective Corrections Volunteers.
NEXT: CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS MEETING
Wednesday May 4th, 6 pm
Zoom ID 285 909 9992 Pass 427248
Our Pen Pal Plus Program has 44 fellows and nine women utilizing this tool of recovery.
What’s Happening in Corrections
Sundays International Corrections Meeting every Sunday
First & last Sunday of month at 3 pm PDT all others at 8 am PDT
Zoom ID 239 990 5603 Pass 765110
Sun 29 May 6 pm D 43 (Langley) CORRECTIONS CORNER – Last Sun, Monthly
Zoom ID 240 916 8319 Pass 122820
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Pre-Conference Highlights
The Report Back for the Corrections 6 Agenda items took over an hour.
Our Person In Custody Motion (PIC) from our District 45 was being discussed by 93 Areas throughout North America and will be discussed at this year’s General Service Conference, which is happening this week.
The Best part of attending an Area 79 BC/Yukon Quarterly or Assembly is hearing our:
First Timers Sharing . . .
- Going to our A.A. meetings was like driving my car around and seeing the sights. Coming to this Service Assembly was taking the time to look under the hood!
- Working at the group level and participating in District allowed me to see how the pieces of the bones of AA fit together. Coming here this weekend, I got to witness the blood flowing . . . . .
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If you or your group would like to learn more, I would be only too happy to speak with you or offer a presentation to you and your group.
YILAS, Clifford T.
APRIL REPORT
Corrections:
I love and appreciate what Ted did for Corrections on the new website!
You can also easily scroll down to Nancy McCarthy’s article in the Corrections Today magazine and read it right there or copy it to your own computer!
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I had encouraged each of you to ask the question at your next Business meeting if you would consider having a Corrections representative.
Last month there were three groups interested or would like more information.
I will be attending the Steps and Traditions group (at Carmen United) next Wednesday (March 23rd) at 8 pm for a (15 – 20 minute) Corrections presentation with a Q & A right after.
Owen will be getting back to me about a time for the Early Bird group.
The Agassiz Lion’s Den has agreed to have such a position. We just need a willing person to step up to the plate.
CORRECTIONS NEEDS YOUR HELP
To assist in Corrections, you may help in any number of different ways (your choice):
- Attend Inside A.A. meetings. We have one Provincial Correctional Centre and three Federal Institutions in District 45.
- Help to create a Corrections Committee for District 45.
- Attend our Corrections Connections meetings (once a month). District 45 Chilliwack as well as Abbotsford, Mission and White Rock are active participants in this endeavor.
- Participate in the local Pen Pal Plus program or the Corrections Correspondence Service.
- Participate in our Pre-Release program in which you may help our Inside A.A. member as they transition into the local A.A. community (upon their release)
Living Right group – Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Provincial)
Will open tomorrow (Thursday – March 17th) for the first time in over two years.
We only have one volunteer for this site.
Open The Gate To Freedom – Kent Institution
I was able to do a Twelve Step call over the phone this afternoon. The fellow also asked to participate in our Pen Pal Plus program.
We only have two active volunteers for this site.
Keep It Straight group – Mountain Institution
They continue to have their own Inside A.A. meetings on Monday and Friday.
We have only two A.A. volunteers for this site.
Blueberry Hill group – Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village – WEBEX – HYBRID
There is a meeting every Saturday from 10 – 11 am
We have one consistent A.A. volunteer from the outside and three or four on Webex.
This District is starting this year with three full time dedicated volunteers and one part time volunteer. As you can see, there is a need for more.
_________________
“CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS”
MISSION STATEMENT
To carry the A.A. message of: recovery, unity and service. To inform, teach and unite our Corrections Volunteers and prospective Corrections Volunteers.
NEXT: CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS MEETING
Wednesday April 5th, 6 pm
Zoom ID 285 909 9992 Pass 427248
Our Pen Pal Plus Program has 41 fellows and nine women utilizing this important tool of recovery.
What’s Happening in Corrections
Sundays International Corrections Meeting every Sunday
First & last Sunday of month at 3 pm PDT all others at 8 am PDT
Zoom ID 239 990 5603 Pass 765110
Sun 20 Mar 11 am Area 79 Corrections Sharing Session
Zoom ID 788 412 9377 Pass Nanaimo AA
Sun 27 Mar 6 pm D 43 (Langley) CORRECTIONS CORNER – Last Sun, Monthly
Speaker: Sherri P from Burleson, Texas
Zoom ID 240 916 8319 Pass 122820
PASSING IT ON (New)
This is a Report where I explain the purpose and value of an:
- Escorted Temporary Absence
- Non-Security Escort Driver
If you or your group would like to learn more, I would be only too happy to speak with you or offer a presentation to you and your group.
YILAS, Clifford T.
MARCH REPORT
Corrections for District 45
I had encouraged each of you to ask the question at your next Business meeting whether having such a position would have any value.
I am glad to announce that there are three groups either interested in having a Corrections Liaison or would like more information.
Keep It Straight group – Mountain Institution
They continue to have their own Inside A.A. meetings. We are still trying to provide one individual with A.A. material in his own language, which is Malayalam.
We only have two A.A. volunteers for this site.
Open The Gate To Freedom – Kent Institution
We only have two active volunteers for this site.
Blueberry Hill group – Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village – WEBEX – HYBRID
We have one consistent A.A. volunteer from the outside and three or four on Webex.
Living Right group – Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Provincial)
We only have two volunteers for this site.
__________________
“CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS”
MISSION STATEMENT
To carry the A.A. message of: recovery, unity and service. To inform, teach and unite our Corrections Volunteers and prospective Corrections Volunteers.
NEXT: CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS MEETING
Wednesday March 2nd, 6 pm PDT
Zoom ID 285 909 9992 Pass 427248
Our Pen Pal Plus Program has 37 fellows and nine women utilizing this important tool of recovery.
What’s Happening in Corrections
Sundays International Corrections Meeting every Sunday
First & last Sunday of month at 3 pm PST all others at 8 am PST
Zoom ID 239 990 5603 Pass 765110
Sun 06 Mar 3 pm International Corrections Meeting
Class A Trustee Nancy Mc CARTHY will give a Power Point presentation on Corrections and A.A.
Zoom ID 239 990 5603 Pass 765110
Nancy also wrote an article for this month’s Corrections professional magazine called Corrections Today. It is called: Corrections and Alcoholics Anonymous – A Crucial Connection
Please consider taking this back to your group for discussion. I have also included the attachment to go with the Minutes
Tuesdays 3:30 pm Unfinished Business – Lima, Ohio
Zoom ID 824 0790 2054 Pass 123
Closed meeting – NO CLEARANCE REQUIRED
Made up of those formerly incarcerated and those who carried the message inside, or are interested in doing so
Sun 20 Feb 11 am Area 79 Corrections Sharing Session
Zoom ID 788 412 9377 Pass Nanaimo AA
Sun 27 Feb 6 pm D 43 (Langley) CORRECTIONS CORNER – Last Sun, Monthly
Speaker: Scott P from New York
Zoom ID 240 916 8319 Pass 122820
If you or your group would like to learn more, I would be only too happy to speak with you or offer a presentation to you and your group.
YILAS, Clifford T.
Attachments:
CORRECTIONS IN AA NANCY Mc CARTHY
(Corrections Today Jan – Feb 2022 Article)
2022 02 16
FEBRUARY REPORT
Corrections for District 45
I will encourage each and every one of you to ask the question at your next Business meeting whether having such a position would have any value.
THE A.A. GROUP
…WHERE IT ALL BEGINS (P-16)page 25
Corrections Committee Liaison
Group corrections representatives take part in local intergroup (central office), district or area corrections committee meetings. They keep their home groups informed about local Twelfth Step activities in nearby institutions and encourage group members to participate.
Corrections representatives, known in some areas as hospitals and institutions (H&I) representatives, take A.A. meetings into prisons and jails, where allowed by the correctional facility, to help alcoholic inmates recover and prepare for sober, fulfilling lives after release. As part of the temporary contact program known in some areas as Bridging the Gap, they may also serve as correspondents and as A.A. contacts when the inmates are released. The pamphlet “A.A. in Correctional Facilities” and the Corrections Workbook can be of help to A.A.s in corrections service work.
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CARRYING THE MESSAGE INTO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES (F-5)
AM I RESPONSIBLE?
Some alcoholics aren’t lucky
Enough to be able to go to
Meetings when they want to.
They are in prison.
They have limited contact with
The shared experience that our
Fellowship offers through
Its meetings.
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Keep It Straight group – Mountain Institution
They continue to have their own Inside A.A. meetings. We are trying to provide one individual with A.A. material in his own language, which is Malayalam. This comes from the South on India. We only have two A.A. volunteers for this site.
Open The Gate To Freedom – Kent Institution
From the middle of November there were 13 Twelve Step calls out of the Structured Intervention Units (SIU). We only have two volunteers for this site.
Blueberry Hill group – Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village – WEBEX – HYBRID
We have one consistent A.A. volunteer from the outside and two or three on Webex.
Living Right group – Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Provincial)
We only have two volunteers for this site.
__________________
“CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS”
MISSION STATEMENT
To carry the A.A. message of: recovery, unity and service. To inform, teach and unite our Corrections Volunteers and prospective Corrections Volunteers.
NEXT: CORRECTIONS CONNECTIONS MEETING
Wednesday February 2nd, 6 pm PDT
Zoom ID 285 909 9992 Pass 427248
Our Pen Pal Plus program has 37 fellows and nine women utilizing this important tool of recovery.
If you or your group would like to learn more, I would be only too happy to speak with you or offer a presentation to you and your group.
YILAS, Clifford T.