Executive Summary

Currently, 2.2 million people in the United States live behind bars, creating a national crisis of over-incarceration. One in 3 Americans has a criminal record, proving that this affects every neighborhood in the country, while disproportionately discriminating against those who are poor and in communities of color. The U.S. criminal justice system is failing in three fundamental ways: who goes to prison, what people experience in prison, and the barriers they face upon release. Prison Fellowship seeks to transform this fractured system through a multi-pronged, holistic approach to achieve more successful justice system outcomes. By developing rehabilitative communities in prison and empowering transformational corrections leaders, we prepare good citizens who not only demonstrate the ability to live crime-free upon release, but also contribute to their communities at their highest potential. By advancing public awareness and policy campaigns, we decrease over-incarceration and remove unjust barriers for people with a criminal record.