Where We Work

Europe and Central Asia

Breaking the Cycle of Crime in Europe

Donate Now

Serving 31 Countries in Europe and Central Asia

Nearly 1.5 million prisoners in Europe and Central Asia are locked away and forgotten. See how Prison Fellowship International is serving them prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims of crime through national ministries in Europe and Central Asia.

At a Glance

Over 1 million prisoners in Europe and Central Asia are locked away and forgotten.

Prison Fellowship International currently operates within 27 countries throughout Europe and Central Asia. The region, which stretches from Portugal, across Europe and into the Russian Federation, represents a complex tapestry of ethnicities, cultures, and subcultures.

Here, atheism and pluralism have emerged as dominant against the fading backdrop of Judeo-Christian tradition. Even among the most developed countries in this region, standards for prisoner care often begin and end with humane physical treatment in compliance with international law, while spiritual needs are neglected. In poorer areas, justice systems often fail to achieve even basic standards, and prisoners are exposed to harsh living conditions while their families and victims’ experiences ostracization and disadvantage.

Prison Fellowship International is successfully making a difference and restoring and rehabilitating prisoners in Europe and Central Asia—for good!

Programs Proven to Rehabilitate and Restore

Our diverse National Ministry partners in the Europe and Central Asia region address key issues facing prisoners and their families by providing spiritual support, vocational training, family care and more. They deploy proven, strategic programs that operate alongside hundreds of local and transdenominational churches, powered by thousands of volunteers, and collaborate with nonprofits, and community and government agencies.

A Word from Our Regional Director

Our Regional Directors have a front-row seat to the transformational impact your support makes possible in prisons in their region.

Many of the prisoners we work with come from very broken backgrounds. They come from backgrounds where they've had very little opportunity to develop all of their God-given talents. So, it's an incredible opportunity to reach out to those institutions and through showing love, with the good news, give them an opportunity to have their hope in life restored. It's just amazing that it actually happens.

Hugh Greathead

Regional Director, Europe and Central Asia

Restoration Is Not Just Possible, It’s Happening

Our holistic approach to disrupting the cycle of crime includes caring for the physical and spiritual needs of prisoners, their families, and the victims of crime.

The Situation

1,467,680

Total Prisoners

3,280

Total Prisons

1,659,700

Total Children of Prisoners

Market Reach

90,100

Prisoners Served

34,770

Children of Prisoners Served

Market Penetration

Percentage of Prisoners Served

Percentage of Prisons Served

                        It is about loving the prisoner.
                                                    - Stephen, Wales                                            

Stories of Hope

STEPHEN | Wales

When a group of ex-prisoners walked into Stephen James’s prison and began sharing their stories of change, healing, and forgiveness, Stephen didn’t think he’d ever be one of them.

Read Full Story

Donate

Restoring Lives - For Good!

Restoring prisoners starts with people like you. When you give to projects in Europe and Central Asia, you help transform prisoners, restore them to their families, and build safer communities—for good! We have programs that work. All we need is you!

Donate Today