Volunteer Tutor for Incarcerated Youth (Summer 2026)

Description:

Volunteer to tutor incarcerated youth to help them reach their educational goals!

Once a week, volunteers will go to a youth detention facility in Laurel, Maryland. Transportation will be reimbursed by the Petey Greene Program.

The time slots for tutoring are Monday-Thursday in the morning (8:00AM-11:30AM) or afternoon (12:25PM-2:50PM). Volunteers will be placed in one time slot based on their availability and student needs, or can tutor more than once per week if interested. Tutors indicate the subjects they want to tutor (all core high school subject areas are needed). Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students. Applications for Summer 2026 tutoring should be submitted by April 27th.

The PGP provides tutors with both initial and ongoing training to ensure high-quality services for students and to provide volunteer support and leadership development throughout the semester.

Since its founding in 2008, the PGP has supported over 20,000 students in over 130 correctional facilities and reentry programs. We have recruited more than 8,500 volunteer tutors and instructors from 40 universities in seven states and D.C.

Responsibilities:

• Weekly tutoring for 2.5-3.5 hours at a youth correctional facility from the beginning of June through the end of July. We ask tutors to consider volunteering for at least two semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring).
• Attend PGP tutor orientation before volunteering
• Attend ongoing training and professional development each semester
• Communicate with PGP staff, teachers at the youth facility, and other tutors
• Tutors will have to apply for background clearance and attend a facility custody training. PGP will walk you through these processes.

Qualifications:

• Interest in educational justice and a desire to make a difference for incarcerated people
• No prior tutoring experience is necessary
• Availability during weekdays
• Ability to travel to Laurel, Maryland where the youth correctional facility is located

Training:

PGP provides robust training and our staff supports all our volunteers as they work with system impacted people. You will receive training on working in carceral facilities as well as pedagogical training for tutoring. Volunteers have opportunities to receive support throughout their tutoring experience.

Time commitment:

• 5-3.5 of tutoring once a week
• Travel to and from prisons, which will vary based on your location
• PGP Virtual Trainings–Ongoing training and professional development each semester
• One volunteer debrief meeting during the semester

Why Volunteer?

• Support the learning and academic achievement of marginalized students
• Learn more about the manifest injustice in our carceral system
• Develop your skills to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Join a diverse community of volunteers making a real impact

Learn more

Check out our website to learn more about the Petey Greene Program.

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