Prison Fellowship International said its in-prison evangelism program has reached a milestone, graduating its one millionth participant since the initiative launched more than a decade ago.
The organization announced Jan. 12 that more than 1 million incarcerated men and women worldwide have completed The Prisoner’s Journey, an eight-week, faith-based course centered on the Gospel of Mark. The program began in 2014 and has been implemented in hundreds of prisons across multiple continents.
According to Prison Fellowship International, a total of 1,010,621 prisoners have completed the course, which is currently offered in more than 500 prisons globally. Participants who graduate receive a Bible in their heart language, and nearly 70% continue into additional evangelism or discipleship programs.
Andrew Corley, president and chief executive officer of Prison Fellowship International, said the milestone reflects individual lives rather than statistics.
“We’re celebrating a million graduates, not as a statistic,” Corley said. “It represents one million men and women … who have encountered Jesus Christ in some of the hardest places on earth.”
The Prisoner’s Journey is delivered in small-group settings inside correctional facilities, where inmates meet weekly to study the life and teachings of Jesus. Graduations are typically marked by a ceremony recognizing course completion.
Independent research has examined the program’s impact. A study conducted by Baylor University found that participation in The Prisoner’s Journey was associated with increased religious engagement and a stronger sense of meaning in life, as well as reductions in negative emotions and aggression. Surveys cited by Prison Fellowship International also reported increases in family visits and declines in violent behavior among participants.
The program is run in partnership with several Christian organizations. Christianity Explored Ministries collaborated on curriculum development and training, while groups including Bible League International, American Bible Society and Eastern European Mission have supplied Bibles to prisoners in multiple languages.
Prison Fellowship International said the milestone comes amid continued global need, noting that more than 12 million people are incarcerated worldwide, many with limited access to religious instruction or rehabilitative programs.
Founded in 1979, Prison Fellowship International operates through a network of national ministries in more than 120 countries, working with local volunteers and prison authorities. The organization focuses on programs for prisoners, their families and crime victims, with an emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration.
The Prisoner’s Journey remains one of the organization’s core initiatives as it continues to expand programming in correctional facilities worldwide.
