Who We Are

Prison Fellowship International is the world’s largest, most extensive network of multi-denominational, indigenous and autonomous Christian ministries working in the criminal justice field. Through compelling programs and practices, we pursue restoration and healing in response to crime so that offenders are transformed, relationships are reconciled and communities are restored.

Our Unique Approach

Prison Fellowship International’s work is accomplished in more than 120 countries on six continents through independent National Ministries powered by more than 50,000 local volunteers. This grassroots presence enables ministry to prisoners, their families and victims in culturally relevant ways.

Mission

To transform the lives of prisoners, their families, and victims through a global network of ministry partners.

Vision

To break the cycle of crime and restore lives, worldwide, through Jesus’ love.

Core Values

Our core values are more than just words – they’re our way of life. Clearly defined values that are intentionally implemented in our culture help us act with a higher purpose. As we grow, we strive to continually develop a culture that serves our patrons well, as they help us fulfill our vision to break the cycle of crime and restore lives, worldwide, through Jesus’ love.  

Authentic

We mean what we say and prove it through our actions.

Accountable

We take ownership of our work and strive for excellence.

Growing

We are lifelong learners who value humility and grow from mistakes.

Relational

We are team players who believe people are more important than projects.

Proactive

We see problems as opportunities and we turn our passion into action.

History

Prison Fellowship International's story began in 1974 in a cell at Maxwell Prison in Alabama with a former politician who realized that he could work for the Lord, in or out of prison. It is a story of humiliation turned into glory, a story of unwavering faith and dedication, a story that has transformed the lives of millions. It is a story of international collaboration resulting in prison systems changed, cycles broken, hurt repaired, and families and communities restored. With you – our partners in ministry – the story continues.
1974

Chuck Colson's Incarceration

Charles “Chuck” Colson, former White House counsel to U.S. President Richard Nixon, pled guilty to obstruction of justice and served seven months in a federal prison camp for his Watergate-related offense. There, he became convinced the real solution to crime is found through spiritual renewal. This solution later led to his founding of Prison Fellowship International, the world’s largest multi-denominational, indigenous and autonomous network of prison ministries. 

1976

Prison Fellowship Established

Colson established  Prison Fellowship, which is now the largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners and their families in the Unites States and the leading advocate for national criminal justice reform. Prison Fellowship operates as an independent 501 (c)(3) organization, and you can learn more about their work by visiting prisonfellowship.org.

1979

Prison Fellowship International Established

Colson expanded his vision globally by founding Prison Fellowship International. Indigenous, autonomous ministries in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Bahamas joined as the organization’s founding members.

1983

United Nations Consultative Status Received

Prison Fellowship International receives special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Since receiving this status, Prison Fellowship International has participated in meetings at the Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice regarding topics such as an international study on children in prison with their mothers, the adoption of guidelines on the use of restorative justice and an overview of the use of restorative justice around the world.

1996

Sycamore Tree Project® Launched

Sycamore Tree Project, a program designed to bring victims in prison to meet with unrelated offenders to repair the harm caused by crime and make amends, is launched worldwide.

2012

Colson Leaves Lasting Legacy

Colson passes away, leaving a lasting legacy through the work of Prison Fellowship International, Prison Fellowship and the more than 100 national Prison Fellowship ministries around the world that continue to touch the lives of prisoners, their families and victims.

2013

Children of Prisoners Program Launched

The Children of Prisoners Program, a first-of-its-kind intervention and sponsorship program for children of prisoners, is launched in Cambodia and Costa Rica. 

2014

The Prisoner's Journey® Launched

Prison Fellowship International partners with Christianity Explored Ministries to adapt curriculum and conduct initial volunteer training for a new, scalable in-prison program to help prisoners meaningfully engage with the Gospel. The Prisoner’s Journey is launched in Nigeria and South Africa. Bible League International also partners to distribute Bibles at The Prisoner’s Journey graduation ceremonies.

2016

Sycamore Tree Project Revamped

Sycamore Tree Project is adapted and rebooted as Sycamore Tree Project: Justice and Peace® to allow for even more countries to engage with the program, and is piloted in two countries.

2019

Partner Prison Programs Launched

Prison Project Philip, a program adapted from Bible League International, is launched as an in-prison discipleship course to The Prisoner’s Journey. In partnership with the Grace and Mercy Foundation, the Public Reading of Scripture program is launched, allowing groups of prisoners to listen to the Scriptures being read aloud. 

2020

Biblica Partners with Prison Fellowship International

Prison Fellowship International partners with Biblica to provide scripture resources for the Children of Prisoners Program. 

2021

Children's Programs Updated

The Children of Prisoner’s Program is enhanced and rebooted as The Child’s Journey®. PromisePath® a new, scalable modular child’s program providing a network of support around children of prisoners, launches in four countries.

2022

The Listener's Way® Launched

Through strategic partnership with Faith Comes By Hearing, The Listener’s Way, an in-prison program providing gospel films and audio Bible translations in each prisoner’s heart language, is launched.

Today

Continued Impact

Prison Fellowship International continues to serve prisoners, their families and victims of crime in more than 120 countries around the world, impacting hundreds of thousands of lives with the Good News of Jesus Christ every year.

Defining Characteristics

Rooted in Christ's Compassion

Our Lord said that we will be known as His followers – as “different” in this world – by our love. We are Christ-centric as Jesus is what ties all of us, and all that we do, together. We are convened around the person of Christ.

Distinct and Holistic

We are the only prison ministry with such a global footprint (currently with access to 67% of the world’s prison population) that serves prisoners, families and victims of crime.

Multi-Confessional

We promote local and regional expressions of the Christian faith through the work of National Ministries and partnerships on the ground with other local organizations and churches, along with strategic partnerships that provide Scriptural resources in heart languages.

Metric-Committed

We rely on clear goals and objectives, frequent reviews to ensure progress and program portals that are built using meticulous data and metrics on each of our programs.

A Convener

Our global community's significant experience in caring for prisoners, families and victims provides a “gravitational pull” for political, religious and academic leaders toward our work, enabling us to affect positive change in both prisons and policy.

Established Distribution Channel

We are the leading distributor of Scripture resources to prisoners and others affected by crime and incarceration thanks to our 65,000 volunteers and partnerships with leading international providers of resources.

Rooted in Christ's Compassion

Our Lord said that we will be known as His followers – as “different” in this world – by our love. We are Christ-centric as Jesus is what ties all of us, and all that we do, together. We are convened around the person of Christ.

Distinct and Holistic

We are the only prison ministry with such a global footprint (currently with access to 67% of the world’s prison population) that serves prisoners, families and victims of crime.

Multi-Confessional

We promote local and regional expressions of the Christian faith through the work of National Ministries and partnerships on the ground with other local organizations and churches, along with strategic partnerships that provide Scriptural resources in heart languages.

Metric-Committed

We rely on clear goals and objectives, frequent reviews to ensure progress and program portals that are built using meticulous data and metrics on each of our programs.

A Convener

Our global community's significant experience in caring for prisoners, families and victims provides a “gravitational pull” for political, religious and academic leaders toward our work, enabling us to affect positive change in both prisons and policy.

Established Distribution Channel

We are the leading distributor of Scripture resources to prisoners and others affected by crime and incarceration thanks to our 65,000 volunteers and partnerships with leading international providers of resources.

Impact

Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report

This year’s theme, Planted for His Splendor, reflects the heart of what it means to follow Jesus into prisons around the world – prisons that were once known for violence and despair that are now places of restoration and peace thanks to the faithful, tireless work of our volunteers and staff. The lives changed today will become strong branches in a forest of transformation we may never fully witness, but God has promised that they will become a planting for His splendor. It is our hope that you will read our Annual Report and be inspired by the stories of transformation.

Read Our Latest Annual Report

Looking to support our mission?

If our mission, vision and values align with yours, consider partnering with Prison Fellowship International to transform lives and change the landscape of a broken prison system.

Donate Today