Hobby Lobby Joins Prison Fellowship to Create a More Restorative Justice System in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Prison Fellowship®, the nation's largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, has received a multimillion dollar investment from 'Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.—an American Arts & Craft retail giant. The investment will help Prison Fellowship continue a multi-pronged, holistic approach to achieve more successful justice outcomes in the state of Oklahoma with a particular focus on the rising rates of women's incarceration.
"Hobby Lobby's generous and continued support helps Prison Fellowship in a number of programs—from arrest to reintegration—as we journey with the incarcerated men and women of Oklahoma on their pathway to restoration," said James Ackerman, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship. "Through our criminal justice policy campaigns, we are an active voice for comprehensive reform packages in the Sooner State. We also serve Oklahoma's youth by restoring and strengthening the relationships between incarcerated moms and dads and their children with our Angel Tree® program."
"Hobby Lobby values our partnership with Prison Fellowship and deeply respects their ongoing commitment to seeing God’s restorative justice lovingly impact all those individuals and communities affected by crime and incarceration," said Tyler Green, Ministries Coordinator of Hobby Lobby.
"By developing rehabilitative communities in prison through our biblically-based Prison Fellowship Academy® program and empowering transformational corrections leaders through our Warden Exchange® program, we prepare good citizens who not only demonstrate the ability to live crime-free upon release but also contribute positively to their communities," added Ackerman. "Generous funding from Hobby Lobby and other partners in Oklahoma has allowed for the creation and sustainment of seven Prison Fellowship Academy sites, impacting the lives of hundreds throughout the state."
ABOUT PRISON FELLOWSHIP
Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading voice for criminal justice reform. With more than 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.
For interview requests, please contact Jim Forbes, Prison Fellowship's Director of Communications, at (703) 554-8540 or email him at Jim_forbes@pfm.org.