Dear John,

The new year is off to an encouraging start, and we are seeing progress across all ministry program areas. We’re especially excited that we began our eighth year of the Warden Exchange, which equips corrections officials to create safer communities inside and outside of prison, with five new cohorts—our most ever!

Our in-person Warden Exchange residency program includes 19 wardens from nine states, and their first gathering, which was virtual due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions, took place in January. Our online program includes 77 wardens from 20 states, as well as four wardens from the United Kingdom. In addition, thanks to funding from our partners at Stand Together, we’ve launched a new correctional leaders program, which includes 25 people from seven states, all of whom report to a warden or deputy warden. As all of these leaders come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and develop custom practices based on each specific prison population, they will work to reimagine prison culture and the outcomes possible with a focus on rehabilitation. By treating people as individuals, seeing their potential, and equipping them to succeed postrelease, wardens can positively impact not only their prisons, but entire communities.

As we work to impact prison culture through wardens in a top-down approach, the Lord continues to make a way for us to impact that same culture through those living in prison as well. As some of our Prison Fellowship Academy sites reopen to our staff and volunteers for in-person instruction, we continue to use creative means of serving prisons that remain closed, including remote livestreamed and prerecorded class sessions. We’re also grateful that God is opening doors for discussions for new Academy sites, and we look forward to sharing launch details in the coming months.

Could we ask you to pray with us as we continue planning this year’s Easter Hope Events? We’re praying for open doors across the country as we prepare virtual and live remote events, as well as those that can take place on the outside of the prison fence. Celebrating Easter in prison is a long-held tradition that started with Chuck Colson, and we look forward to continuing it in even bigger and more creative ways this year!

There is so much to be grateful for as the Lord continues to bless those in prison through the work you make possible with your continued support of Prison Fellowship! On behalf of all those we serve, thank you! We would be honored to lift up for you and your family any prayers you would like to share with us.

Celebrating Him,