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PRISON FELLOWSHIP BLOG: InnerChange Freedom Initiative

prison fellowship academy
  • Feature Stories
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
The History of the Prison Fellowship Academy

It’s the cornerstone program of Prison Fellowship, but what is the Academy, and does it work? Read more to learn how the Academy started and the bright future ahead of it.

By Grayson Pope
February 4, 2019
Charles Colson | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Minnesota | Prison Fellowship Academy | Texas
judy and dave mcelyea
  • Feature Stories
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
Q&A with Dave and Judy McElyea

Prison ministry volunteers Dave and Judy McElyea reflect on decades of volunteer experience and how faith-based organizations can make a positive impact on prisons.

By Stacia Ray
November 28, 2018
Chuck Colson | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Kairos | Lino Lakes | Minnesota | Minnesota Correctional Facility
  • Prison Fellowship News & Updates
  • Reentry
Finding Hope and a Future Through the InnerChange Freedom Initiative

The InnerChange Freedom Initiative® (IFI) was a privately funded program that provided educational, values-based services to prisoners on a voluntary and noncompulsory basis to help prepare them to re-enter the workplace, religious and community life, and family and social relationships. In 2016, the program was renamed the Prison Fellowship Academy®.

By Emily Harris Greene
November 3, 2016
InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Insider | Prison Fellowship Insider | volunteer
Light switch turned on feature image
  • Feature Stories
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Turning on the Switch

Ron Zifer serves as the program manager for Prison Fellowship’s InnerChange Freedom Initiative in Texas.

Time and again I’m asked, “Where does the real change come for the men in the InnerChange Freedom Initiative program?” Many want to know if there is a specific class or program really changes these men.

By Ron Zifer
August 8, 2016
IFI | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | light switch | Transformation
Radio Mic feature
  • Feature Stories
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Getting a New Life After Prison

The newly announced president and CEO of Prison Fellowship, James Ackerman, was recently interviewed on WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa. During the program, Ackerman described to host Jamie Johnson the work of Prison Fellowship, and how he came to be involved with prison ministry.

By Steve Rempe
July 26, 2016
Des Moines | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Iowa | James Ackerman | Jamie Johnson | Newton | WHO Radio
Revolving door feature
  • Feature Stories
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Reentry
Getting out of the Revolving Door

Ron Zifer serves as the program manager for Prison Fellowship’s InnerChange Freedom Initiative in Texas.

When men arrive at the Carol S. Vance Unit to participate in the InnerChange Freedom Initiative, they come with a variety of horrible states of mind.  

By Ron Zifer
June 28, 2016
InnerChange | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Reentry | Texas
  • Uncategorized
Beginning with a Worldview

In today’s confusing society it is no wonder our children, spouses, and other family members and friends end up in trouble or even prison. Call me ‘old school,’ but throughout a large portion of a young person’s developmental years they live in this confusing world where there are no absolutes.

By Ron Zifer
June 22, 2016
IFI | InnerChange | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Legalism | Moral Absolutes | Ron Zifer | Truth
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Reentry
A Transformed Life: Art Medina

By the time he was 15 years old, Arthur Medina was a runaway living on the streets in Texas. It wasn’t long before he turned to crime just to survive.

Art earned his living stealing cars and running them across the border.

By Prison Fellowship
July 1, 2015
houston | IFI | InnerChange | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | Texas | Transformation
  • Prison Fellowship News & Updates
  • Reentry
Men Return to Prison to Celebrate Successful Reentry

This past Sunday was a time of great celebration at IFI. Eighteen formerly incarcerated men returned to the Carol Vance unit to graduate before their families and other program participants.

By Rebekah L. Stratton
April 30, 2015
IFI | incarceration | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | mentor | Prison Fellowship | prison ministry | program | Reentry | Texas
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Prison Fellowship News & Updates
  • Reentry
Longtime Prison Volunteer Shares Wisdom

Last year, Bob celebrated his 90th birthday inside Minnesota's only level five maximum-security prison, Oak Park Heights. Bob has led Bible studies there since the late 1990s.

By Lori Stertz
April 16, 2015
Chuck Colson | incarcerated | incarceration | InnerChange Freedom Initiative | mentor | Minnesota | Prison | Prison Fellowship | prison ministry | prisoner | Reentry | release | volunteer
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PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN THE NEWS

View our latest press releases and hear what other publications are saying about Prison Fellowship and our programs.

    ‘They deserve every opportunity’ – San Antonio kids of incarcerated parents learn from football pros (San Antonio Express News)
    Two former Dallas Cowboys share message of hope to children (Fox San Antonio)
    San Antonio sports camp teaches much more than just the rules of the game (KENS5.com)
    Kentucky Chamber Celebrates Second Chance Month, Promotes Fair Chance Employment (Kentucky Chamber Bottom Line)
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