April 2021 Newsletter
Dear Board Members, Patrons and Faithful Supporters of Prison Seminaries Foundation:
As the lingering remnant of Covid-19 slowly continues to pass us by, what remains in its wake are doors that are swinging wide open to a renewed interest in prison reform. In the midst of the most difficult year since the establishment of the Foundation, three new programs have emerged and are flourishing:
The Missouri Men’s program established by Hannibal LaGrange University in partnership and under the direction of Anne L. Precythe, Executive Director, Missouri DOC.
The Oklahoma Men’s program in partnership with Oklahoma Baptist University and under the direction of Scott Crow, Executive Director, Oklahoma DOC
The Mississippi Women’s program established by New Orleans Theological Seminary in partnership and under the direction of Burl Cain, Commissioner, Mississippi DOC.
How grateful we are for the leadership of the DOC and Presidents of these schools!
We are also excited to report that by the end of 2021, two more programs will be up and running through the generous financial support of donors in Texas and Florida. A women’s program is slated to begin in August in partnership with the Florida DOC and the Baptist College of Florida. Thank you, Dr. Thomas Kinchen of BCF!
Discussions are progressing at different levels with the Department of Corrections in New Jersey, Tennessee, Montana, South Dakota, and Virginia for the establishment of programs in 2022-23. We also are encouraged by the active support that is taking place in the American Correctional Association (ACA); but have learned that the growth of such programs is outpacing the research according to Dr. Byron Johnson of the Baylor Institute for Religious Research. We will present new research updates at the PSF Annual Conference, October 6-8, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lastly, the PSF Conference registration continues on our website. Please join us October 6-8, in The Riley Center on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. After you register, please be sure to reserve a room by contacting the Riley Center and referencing “PSF” or the “prison conference.” We will kick-off our event Wednesday evening with a banquet and end Friday at noon. We have plenty to offer – best practices plenary sessions and breakouts providing information and inspiration for our schools, state DOC’s and sustainability partners.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to network with like-minded, like-hearted individuals who are committed to prison reform through a biblically based educational endeavor that is sweeping the country, impacting state after state, and inmate after inmate!
The doors are open, please come on in and join us!
Until He comes,
Denny Autrey, Burl Cain and the PSF Team
Important Update
REGISTRATION CONTINUES FOR THE PSF FALL CONFERENCE. DON'T MISS OUT! REGISTER TODAY!
PSF's Third Annual
Partners in Moral Rehabilitation Conference
October 6-8, 2021
The conference will be held at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas