Making moral rehabilitation real in the lives of every inmate in America

Imagine a world with fewer crime victims, less violence, and fewer people returning to prison

 
 

A light into the darkness

People serving time in prison often represent at-risk segments of society lacking educational, vocational, and economic opportunity. Too often, being incarcerated adds layers of challenges to a life already steeped in violence, trauma, broken families, and loss. Individuals in prison are rejected, despised, disenfranchised, and forgotten by society.

At Prison Seminaries Foundation (PSF), we have a different vision. We believe that the greatest asset in any department of corrections system is the morally rehabilitated inmate.

We see a world where individuals in prison can regain their dignity and self-worth to become powerful agents of change for good, transforming their lives and the lives of those around them.

 

Transforming prison culture from the inside

As inmates become students who become peer ministers, the effects of moral rehabilitation spread throughout the population.

 

Church leaders replace gang leaders as a positive force for change

Inmates begin to hold each other accountable for good behavior

Incidents of violence decrease

Relationships between inmates and staff improve

 
 

Program graduates are not put in positions of authority over other inmates — it’s truly peer-to-peer ministry that provides support and guidance in ways no external program can.

 
 

Becoming an agent of change

The foundation of PSF’s efforts is the Prison Seminary Model (PSM) — a satellite higher education program established within a prison that offers:

  • The same academic curriculum available to students outside the prison

  • Accreditation with state departments of education

  • Programs taught by tenured professors

  • Opportunities for inmates of all faiths

  • Complete self-sufficiency: Funding is provided entirely by donors and no tax dollars are used

Moral rehabilitation through the Prison Seminary Model has the power to break generational cycles of dysfunction caused by crime, violence, and substance abuse.

  • Program participants reconnect with family members while in prison

  • Parents become part of children’s lives again

  • Program graduates who are paroled return to their communities with leadership and ministry skills

Find out more →

 

What people are saying

  • Joel Madasu

    “There really is a lot of change that’s happening in the prison. At one point I didn’t believe it, but now I see it. If someone doesn’t believe that life could change, I suggest they look at the ministries in prison. Because lives change and it is true.” – Joel Madasu, Program Director, Mount Olive Bible College

  • Troy Delone

    “It’s life-changing because you have the opportunity to really find out who you are and what your purpose is. Because, even if you don’t believe in God, I still think we have something on the inside of us as human beings who want to know: Why am I here?” – Troy Delone, Angola Graduate and Former Inmate Pastor

  • Kevin Brown

    “We want to see our prisons be the kind of places where are people really are rehabilitated and not just warehoused. So with this proven model that we’ve been doing for years– And it has worked in multiple locations–we’ve got the opportunity to bring about systemic change.” – Dr. Kevin Brown, Director of Prison Programs, NOBTS

Read more testimonials →

In Loving Memory

Dave Haidle, past board member with PSF, died laboring in service to others while working with the non-profit, “A Roof Over Your Head.” Dave’s ministry to the incarcerated in Illinois and at Angola touched hundreds of lives over many, many years.

John Robert Toney, Chaplain of Angola, served as a founding board member of PSF meeting regularly with the Board and Founder until he went home to be with the Lord, in October of 2016.