How Positively Impacting 20% of Prisoners can Change an Entire Prison Culture

Prison Fellowship International releases white paper detailing theory of change, including findings and strategies for breaking generational cycles of crime  

WASHINGTON – February 3, 2025 – Today, Prison Fellowship International (PFI), the world’s largest network of Christian ministries working in the criminal justice field, released a groundbreaking white paper, “Reaching a Tipping Point of Transformation in the Prisons of the World.” This comprehensive document outlines a bold theory of change, proposing that by engaging 20% of a prison population in a holistic range of faith-inspired programming, their transformed lives and newfound sense of accountability can begin to catalyze culture change in an entire prison. 

PFI’s theory builds on the Pareto Principle and the concept of societal tipping points, asserting that when 20% of a prison’s population undergoes meaningful personal transformation, the ripple effects can redefine the prison’s culture. These individuals, empowered by accountability and a renewed sense of self-worth, become catalysts for systemic change. 

The white paper explores this concept in depth, presenting existing saturation models, empirical evidence (both quantitative and qualitative), real-world examples, challenges and learnings, practical strategies for implementation, and monitoring and evaluation considerations. Efforts focus on engaging with the individual to develop new positive self identities, practicing forgiveness, self-control, responsibility, accountability and hope for the future. This transformation positively impacts their families, and communities upon release. 

Andy Corley, CEO of PFI, explained: “While prison programming saturation models exist and are powerful, it can be challenging to gain that much influence and access in a prison. To reach a moment where significant and often unstoppable change occurs, we have seen that engaging with just 20% of a prison population can actually ‘tip’ the whole prison for the better. The Good News of Jesus comes with a new narrative, one that radically changes a personal sense of self and leads to becoming a person who serves others. Oftentimes, it’s the first time someone has heard that God’s grace extends even to them. Put that access into evidence-based programming, expand it, and you have a recipe for lighthouses of hope to occur inside of prisons all over the world. Suddenly, restorative prisons aren’t such a theoretical concept; they are real. We believe that this can be the start of influencing and creating systemic change for individuals, families and communities.” 

Evidence of the power of the tipping point has already been witnessed in prisons where 20% or more of the prison population has engaged with programming such as The Prisoner’s Journey (TPJ), PFI’s transformative in-prison program that helps participants discover who Jesus is, why He came and what He wants for their lives. In Monrovia Central Prison in Liberia, TPJ has led to a significant drop in recidivism, from a rate of 30-40% to just 10%. Similarly, after prison officials at Minas Prison in Uruguay reported reductions of in-prison violence as a majority of prisoners graduated from TPJ, the municipal government enacted a formal partnership to support further implementation of the program. 

Last year, PFI announced a strategic partnership with Pepperdine University to measure the effectiveness of twelve in-prison and community programs running in Colombia. These findings will produce actionable best practices, with data collected helping to create projects and legislative initiatives aimed at making rehabilitation the standard, not the exception. By tracking prisoners while studying their family and children, evidence will be gathered to help explain how people can live crime free – a question that continues to prove challenging to answer. From these learnings, PFI will establish and promote best practices, provide thought leadership, and become a driving force for training and education around the world. This initial Center of Excellence will inform what could become more than half a dozen Centers of Excellence implemented in key regions such as Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the decade to come.

Prison Fellowship International’s vast network is spearheading the path to real and lasting transformation in individuals within justice systems across the world, breaking the generational cycle of crime – prison by prison, family by family, community by community, country by country. 

To access the full white paper, visit pfi.org/tipping-point. 

About Prison Fellowship International

Since 1979, Prison Fellowship International has helped prisoners experience transformation from the inside out through the healing power of the Gospel. Its mission is to transform the lives of prisoners, their families and victims through a global network of ministry partners.  

Media Contact
Lydia Simmons – [email protected]