Prison Fellowship

Remember Those in Prison

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
    • Angel Tree Christmas
    • Pray With Us
    • Justice Action Center
    • Share on Social
  • STORIES
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • The Restoration Series [Videos]
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Why Help Prisoners?
    • What We Do
    • In-Prison
      • Prison Fellowship Academy
      • In-Prison Programs
      • Hope Events
      • Inside Journal
      • Women’s Ministry
      • Create: New Beginnings
    • Angel Tree
      • Register your church or group for Angel Tree
      • Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
      • Angel Tree Christmas
      • Angel Tree Camping
      • Angel Tree Sports Camps
    • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • Sign the Justice Declaration
      • Get a Copy of Outrageous Justice
    • Warden Exchange
    • Church Partners
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Preparing Prisoners for Reentry
  • RESOURCES
    • Subscribe to Our Email
    • Support for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Coping with Incarceration
      • Resources for Prisoners
      • Resources for Children of Prisoners
      • Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
    • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • In-Prison Ministry
      • Reentry Ministry
      • Family Ministry
      • Justice Reform
      • Mentoring Ministry
    • Resources for Angel Tree® Church Coordinators
    • Resources for Chaplains
    • Resources for D.O.C.
    • Justice Reform Resources
    • Share on Social
    • For Media Outlets
  • ABOUT US
    • Leadership
    • Chuck Colson
      • The Charles Colson Hope Awards
    • Our Beliefs
    • Financials
      • 2021 Annual Report
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • In The News

Become an In-Prison Mentor

Find out how to get involved in mentoring prisoners preparing for release.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus told his followers it was important to visit those in prison (Matthew 25:36). Now, a study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Corrections has shown what a profound impact prison visits can have on prisoners. Here are some significant findings:

  • in-prison mentor2Prisoners who are visited while incarcerated are significantly less likely to recidivate.
  • Any visit from a mentor reduces the risk of reconviction by 29 percent, while a visit by clergy lowers it by 24 percent. Visits from relatives have a lower, but positive, impact.
  • Prisoners visited more often are less likely to recidivate.
  • Visits closer to a prisoner’s release date have a greater impact on reducing recidivism.

According to the US Department of Justice, 95 percent of all prisoners currently serving time will eventually be released. They will face many challenges as they reenter society. To help them get ready, Prison Fellowship’s in-prison mentoring ministry focuses on pre-release preparation for prisoners with two years or less left on their sentences.

In-prison mentors usually have face-to-face visits with their mentees at least once a month and sometimes as frequently as once a week. These visits are typically arranged through the chaplain’s office and often take place in a meeting area supervised by the chaplain. Between visits, mentors and mentees often communicate by writing letters. PF mentors always work with mentees of the same gender.

 In addition to reducing recidivism rates, pre-release mentoring helps mentees by:

  • in-prison mentor 1Offering encouragement and helping reduce anxiety about reentry
  • Providing an example of how to live according to Christ’s teachings
  • Helping the prisoner set constructive goals for the future
  • Providing assistance with the development of a concrete reentry plan
  • Connecting the prisoner with reentry team members and resources

Being a mentor requires the ability to make a long-term commitment to the mentoring relationship. Some states allow in-prison mentors to also serve as reentry mentors after the prisoner’s release. However, many states have strict rules against this. If you are not able to continue the mentoring relationship after the mentee is released, it is very important to transfer all the details of the reentry plan to the new volunteers who will be taking over.

For More Information:

  • To read the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ report on “The Effects of Prison Visitation on Offender Recidivism,” click here.
  • To get more information about volunteering as an in-prison mentor, call Prison Fellowship at 800-251-7411. Or to fill out our online interest form, click here.
Icon

Become an In-Prison Mentor

259.66 KB

CONNECT WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP

Sign up to receive our weekly eNewsletter, which highlights stories of transformed lives and second chances, as well as resources and information from around the ministry.

SIGNUP TODAY

NEW ON OUR BLOG

  • What is the Mission of Angel Tree Camping? A Conversation with the Harts
  • Former Prisoners Can Become Productive Citizens
  • Prison Fellowship’s Statement on Biden Administration’s clemency grants and reentry initiatives
  • Transforming Corrections in America: A Conversation With Kerensa Lockwood
  • Reconciling Families to Break the Cycle of Incarceration

SHARE YOUR STORY

Do you have a story about how Prison Fellowship has impacted your life? We want to hear from you.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
LINKEDIN
PF®
PFM®

RECOMMENDED LINKS

  • Ways to Donate
  • Inspirational Stories
  • Angel Tree Program
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Justice Reform

RESOURCES

  • For Families & Friends of Prisoners
  • For Churches & Angel Tree Volunteers
  • For Media Outlets
  • For Wardens & Prison Officials

JOIN RESTORATION PARTNERS AND WITNESS GOD RESTORE LIVES

Restoration Partners give monthly to bring life-changing prison ministry programs to incarcerated men and women across the country.

 

JOIN NOW
  • CONTACT US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • PRIVACY
  • FINANCIALS
© 2022 PRISON FELLOWSHIP®

Angel Tree®, Angel Tree Camping®, Angel Tree Sports ClinicTM, Angel Tree Sports CampsTM, and Warden Exchange® are programs of Prison Fellowship®.