Arkansas

ARKANSAS

ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

If you share our vision for a justice system that restores all those impacted by crime and incarceration, please join our growing network of advocates. Together we can inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice reform.

TAKE ACTION

With 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.

In 2016, Arkansas completed a two-year assessment of its criminal justice system through the Arkansas Legislative Criminal Justice Oversight Task Force. This task force proposed many policies to both increase public safety and reduce the cost of corrections in Arkansas. These recommendations include focusing supervision resources on people who are most likely to re-offend, improving the quality and consistency of the parole decision-making process, and revising sentencing standards. With the support of its citizens, the Arkansas legislature hopes to enact these proposed reforms during the 2017 legislative session.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

TELL YOUR STORY

Have you or a loved one been incarcerated in a federal prison? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.


SHARE

DONATE YOUR SIGNATURE

Tell your Governor and legislators to declare April as Second Chance Month so those who have paid their debt can reach their God-given potential!


WATCH

ADVOCATE

We’re seeking Justice Advocates to build relationships with their state legislators, organize events, and promote justice reform


APPLY

YOUR STATE STATISTICS

16K Adults in Prison

465 Minors in Juvenile Facilities

39.8K Adults on Probation

25.8K Adults on Parole

$25.9K Cost of Incarceration Per Adult Prisoner

$63.9K Cost of Incarceration Per Juvenile

Governor: Republican

Senate: Republican

House: Republican

In Session: Jan 14th - May 1st

PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN ARKANSAS

Prison Fellowship's victories in the state include working with leaders from all three branches of the government in 2011 to enact the Public Safety Improvement Act (Senate Bill 750) to effectively increase public safety and reduce government expenditures by focusing scarce resources on the most serious offenses.

SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!

Grounded in biblical values and signed by over 100 Christian leaders, the Justice Declaration is a call to the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and over-incarceration.

SIGN THE DECLARATION

IN THE NEWS

RAISE YOUR VOICE

We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today.

FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES

Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!

ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT

The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!

TAKE ACTION

ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE

Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.

TAKE ACTION

UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES

The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.

TAKE ACTION

*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.