Prison Fellowship International

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Prison Fellowship International (PFI) is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) comprised of national Prison Fellowship (PF) organisations from 112 countries.

Contents

[edit] Primary Mission

"To mobilise and assist the Christian community in its ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims, and their families; and in the advancement of restorative justice." [1]

[edit] Beginnings

PFI was founded in 1979, three years after the formation of PF United States and the emergence of similar organisations in England, Australia, Canada, and Costa Rica. PF USA was formed by Charles W. Colson following his release from prison. Colson had been serving time in prison after being convicted for an offence related to "Watergate," the infamous political scandal during the Nixon presidency.

[edit] PF Activities

[edit] Prisoner support

PF national organisations work in support of prison chaplaincy and assisting the work of the church behind bars.

Through PFI's Global Assistance Programme national PF organisations seek to respond to acute medical needs and emergencies in prisons through partnership with volunteer medical professionals who provide short-term assistance.

[edit] Post-prison support

PFI Church-based volunteers seek to act as a relational bridge between prison and the community.

Geo Trust is a micro-lending programme designed to provide small start-up loans to qualifiying ex-prisoners to enable them to start small businesses. These businesses provide a means for them to support their families and lead a productive life within the community.

In addition to assisting ex-prisoners with the practical challenges of re-entry into the community, a number of national PF organisations operate intensive "aftercare" programmes including residential support.

[edit] Assisting children and families of prisoners

The Angel Tree Programme is an outreach to the children of prisoners at Christmas. Members of local churches volunteer to sponsor these children by purchasing a gift based on information gathered by PF volunteers and prison chaplains.

In addition to Angel Tree PFI is developing programmes including camps, retreats, and a variety of year-round events and support services designed to keep the children of prisoners from becoming involved in crime.

National PF organisations in three countries operate residential facilities which provide care for more than 200 children of prisoners.

[edit] Reconciling victims and offenders

PFI's Sycamore Tree Project is designed to stimulated dialogue between victims and offenders in order to facilitate reconciliation. This 8-12 week in-prison programme brings together groups of victims and offenders through facilitated discussion in a journey toward repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

[edit] Restorative justice

Through the 'PFI Centre for Justice and Reconciliation', PFI seeks to promote the principles and practices of restorative justice -- an approach to justice focusing on healing broken relationships, repairing the damage done by crime, and restoring the offender to a meaningful role in society.

The Centre operates Restorative Justice Online and provides information and consultation to national PF organisations, governments, the United Nations, and other organisations.

[edit] Promoting faith-based prisons

Based on APAC, the Brazilian model of faith-based prison communities, national PF organisations are adapting their own APAC projects

[edit] Consultation

As an NGO, PFI maintains Consultative Status (Category II) with the UN Economic and Social Council and is an active participant in the UN Alliance of NGO’s on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

[edit] External links

[edit] PFI Web Sites

[edit] PFI Affiliate Web Sites

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ PFI Website - The Mission of Prison Fellowship International
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