Prison Fellowship International was born out of the experience of Charles Colson, a former aide to President Nixon. Convicted for a Watergate-related offence, Colson served seven months in prison. During that time he saw and experienced the difference faith in Jesus makes in people’s lives. He became convinced that the real solution to crime is found through spiritual renewal.

When Colson walked into freedom, he had a new mission in life: To reach out to men and women behind bars and give them the opportunity to turn their lives around through Christ.

In 1979, he founded Prison Fellowship International, extending the mission and work beyond the United States, and following God’s call to proclaim the Gospel worldwide and alleviate the suffering of prisoners and their families. In 1983, Prison Fellowship International received special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

We are the largest, most extensive association of national Christian ministries working within the criminal justice field. Each of our trans-denominational national ministries is grounded in indigenous leadership and local funding. This grassroots presence enables us to minister to prisoners and their families in culturally relevant ways. The heart of our ministry is our volunteers, who give so generously and powerfully of their time.

Prison Fellowship International is called and dedicated to communicating the redemptive love and transforming power of Jesus Christ to prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims of crime around the world.