Prison Fellowship® has served prisoners, former prisoners, and their families for more than 40 years. Our vision is to see all those affected by crime and incarceration restored to God, to their families, and to their communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted some of our programs. However, our commitment to our vision never wavered.
As prisons open and our nation navigates a new chapter in the pandemic, we will continue to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ into prisons however we can, advocate for a more restorative criminal justice system, support second chances, and work to support and strengthen families with a parent in prison.
STORIES FROM THE PANDEMIC
While the COVID-19 pandemic may have shut down prisons, it couldn’t shut down the Good News of Jesus Christ. Current prisoners, returning citizens, their families, and others affected by crime and incarceration face unique issues with pandemic living. Check out their stories below.
PRISON FELLOWSHIP COVID-19 NEWS AND RESOURCES
COVID-19 NEWS AND UPDATES
Check out the latest updates and events on how COVID-19 is impacting Prison Fellowship and correctional facilities.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
Looking for help navigating the effects of crime and incarceration during a pandemic? Check out our COVID-19 resources.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
QUESTION: My loved one is in a Prison Fellowship program. The DOC won't provide any information about how they are doing. Can you help me get information?
The situation is changing quickly and varies dramatically by location. DOC representatives may be inundated with requests for information at this time. Prison Fellowship is unable to provide updates about individual program participants.
The best source of information on the general situation is your DOC’s website or the federal BOP website. Sometimes, DOC organizations update their social media accounts before their websites, so you may wish to follow them to receive the most up-to-date information. Some families of prisoners ask their incarcerated loved one to designate a trusted friend who can call and provide an update if their loved one becomes sick or is otherwise unable to communicate.
QUESTION: My loved one is sick with what I believe are COVID-19 symptoms. Can you help?
Prison Fellowship does not have influence over the provision of testing or medical care in correctional facilities, but we know this situation is trying for families with a loved one in prison. Please visit our website to see what kind of support we offer to families of prisoners throughout the year.
QUESTION: How can prisoners protect themselves from getting COVID-19? Should I donate face masks or hand sanitizer?
No, these items are not being requested as donations. While prisoners’ ability to isolate themselves or practice good hygiene may vary by location, the best practices for preventing illness include those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control: to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, to avoid close contact with symptomatic people when possible, and to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
For ways you can help prisoners and their families right now, please see the list above.
JOIN US IN PRAYER
Join with a community of prayer warriors across the country who are praying intentionally for men and women behind bars, their families, communities, and the many ongoing events and activities that affect their lives.
PRISON FELLOWSHIP'S PRAYER TEAM
Are you personally impacted by COVID-19? Please let us know how we can pray. Our staff would love to intercede for you.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP
While the coronavirus crisis lasts, our in-prison programming is on pause. It's critical that we help protect incarcerated men and women, who are especially vulnerable to the spread of disease in the prison environment. Fear and anxiety are also spiking behind bars as prisoners face a period of increasing isolation and are unable to see their loved ones. Just as importantly, we want to protect our dedicated volunteers and staff.
Once prison officials re-open the doors of their facilities in the coming weeks and months, we must be prepared for the herculean task of quickly ramping up all of our work behind bars, including more than 100 life-transforming Prison Fellowship Academy® sites, more than 200 individual Prison Fellowship™ Connection Classes, and our plans to produce hundreds of Hope Events that bring the Gospel inside prisons. Would you consider a donation to help us meet the surge in demand we are sure to see as soon as this crisis ends?
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