What Programs Are Available to Inmates at Boone County Jail (AA, NA, Religious, Library & GED)

Most programming at Boone County Jail comes from community volunteers, not in-house staff. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meet weekly, led by volunteers who've passed criminal background checks. Religious programming is provided through the local Inter-Faith Council, and detainees can access books through a weekly library cart. The jail doesn't run organized classes, but it does work with local public schools for certain graduation situations and allows GED study on a limited, pre-approved basis.

Even when a program runs weekly, access isn't guaranteed. Volunteers can only work in designated areas of the jail. For detainees, participation may be limited by "no-contact" restrictions between people housed in the facility - or simply by how many spots are available in the program space.

Boone County Jail offers both AA and NA as weekly programs. Community volunteers who've cleared background checks lead these meetings, which helps keep things consistent while maintaining security. If your loved one is working toward sobriety, these weekly sessions can provide steady support during their time in custody.

• ✓ Participation in AA can be limited by court-ordered “no-contact” restrictions between detainees housed in the facility.
• ✓ AA attendance can also be limited by the number of spaces available in the detainee program area.
• ✓ NA participation is restricted by possible “no-contact” rules between current detainees and by class size limits.

1. Complete the Volunteer Orientation page - sign it and get it ready to submit with the Volunteer Application.
2. Return the orientation page with the Volunteer Application - the signed orientation page needs to go back with the application to custody staff.
3. Mail the completed application - send it to Attn: Jail Administration, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, 2121 County Drive, Columbia, MO 65202.

The local Inter-Faith Council provides religious services at Boone County Jail. On Sundays, there are two scheduled programs for men and one for women. A Bible study group meets on alternating Saturdays for both men and women, offering another option for group support and faith-based discussion.

Library access works through carts that visit detainees once a week. The rules are simple: detainees can have up to two non-religious books at a time, and only paperbacks are allowed. If your loved one wants to keep something to read on hand, planning around that weekly cart is the easiest approach.

The jail's library runs on public donations, coordinated through Jail Administration. If you'd like to donate, contact Jail Administration first to find out what they accept and how to deliver it. For mail-in coordination related to jail programs, volunteer application materials go to Attn: Jail Administration, Boone County Sheriff's Department, 2121 County Drive, Columbia, MO 65202.

Educational options at Boone County Jail are limited. Because the detainee population is transient, the jail doesn't run organized classes. However, it does cooperate with local public schools and allows access to graduation materials for detainees who are close to graduating. Adults working toward a high school equivalency can study for the GED, but only on a limited, pre-approved basis - your loved one will need to request approval before they can start.

"No-contact" restrictions can directly affect whether your loved one can attend AA, NA, or religious programming. If the jail must keep certain detainees separated due to a court-ordered no-contact status, they can't be scheduled into the same program space. Even without a no-contact issue, limited room in the program area can cap how many people participate at once.

Want to support someone's recovery, faith practice, or education plan? Contact Jail Administration to find out what your loved one can access right now and what the approval process looks like for things like GED study. Jail Administration also handles library donations. Keep in mind that library carts only come once a week, so reading options depend on timing and availability.