When people leave prison, they don’t just step into freedom; they enter a maze of stigma, barriers, and systemic challenges that can feel like a second sentence.
Since 1976, Prison Fellowship has worked to break those barriers down, driven by a belief that every person has dignity and potential, no matter their past.
Origins: From Prison Cell to National Movement
Prison Fellowship was founded in 1976 by Charles “Chuck” Colson, former White House counsel to President Richard Nixon. After serving time for his role in Watergate, Colson experienced a personal faith transformation behind bars. Upon release, he committed his life to serving those society had forgotten: incarcerated men and women, their families, and communities torn apart by crime and incarceration.
What began as a small outreach has grown into the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving people impacted by incarceration, active in all 50 states and partnering with churches, volunteers, and policymakers to push for restorative justice.
Why Criminal Justice Reform?
Prison Fellowship’s work is rooted in Scripture, with verses like Hebrews 13:3 (“remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison”) and Isaiah 1:17 (“learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed”) calling Christians to action.
Their advocacy focuses on three key areas:
Accountability and Restoration: Promoting proportional punishment while preparing people for reentry.
A Constructive Corrections Culture: Encouraging systems that promote rehabilitation, not just warehousing.
Second Chances: Advocating for laws and opportunities that allow returning citizens to rebuild their lives and fulfill their God-given potential.
Prison Fellowship was instrumental in the passage of the FIRST STEP Act (2018) and the Federal Prison Oversight Act (2024), while also advancing hundreds of state-level reforms.
Second Chances: Why They Matter
Prison Fellowship believes that second chances are not just about forgiveness. They’re about public safety and human dignity:
- All people, including those with a record, have God-given dignity.
- Opportunities to succeed reduce recidivism.
- When people can work, live, and thrive in community, the cycle of crime breaks.
- Restoration benefits everyone.
- Healthy reentry strengthens families and communities alike.
How You Can Get Involved
Prison Fellowship thrives on volunteers, advocates, and church partnerships. Here’s how you can help:
- Stay Informed & Advocate: Visit the Justice Action Center to send letters to lawmakers supporting values-based criminal justice reform.
- Host a Second Chance Sunday. Partner with your church to celebrate redemption and highlight the needs of returning citizens.
- Become a Justice Ambassador. Step into leadership by using your voice to inspire your church, shift culture, and advocate for restorative justice at both local and national levels.
- Volunteer Inside & Outside Prisons. Mentor incarcerated individuals, help run in-prison programs, or support reentry initiatives in your community.
Wrapping It Up
Nearly 50 years after its founding, Prison Fellowship continues to stand on the belief that justice should restore, not destroy.
From passing major reform laws to walking alongside returning citizens, its mission is both spiritual and deeply practical.
By volunteering, advocating, or simply spreading the word, each of us can help advance a vision of justice that restores dignity, offers second chances, and builds safer, stronger communities.
Know other organizations doing cool stuff? Tell us about it here.
