History of Prison Fellowship

Over the years Christians in the UK have responded to Christ's call to visit those in prison (Matthew 25). Reformers such as John Howard and Elizabeth Fry did much to alleviate the appalling prison conditions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Christians influenced 19th century prison legislation which provided for individual cells instead of dormitories and for the appointment of three members of staff - governor, doctor and chaplain.

At the height of the Watergate affair in the USA in the 1970s, Chuck Colson, Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon, committed his life to Christ. Shortly afterwards, he was given a seven-month prison sentence for his part in the Watergate conspiracy. His time in prison showed him the importance of a Christian witness in prisons and on the basis of his experiences he founded Prison Fellowship in the USA which became the basis of a worldwide organisation - Prison Fellowship International.

At about the same time, in England Sylvia Mary Alison believed God was calling her to develop Christian ministry in our prisons, but was not clear about the way forward. Once she heard about the founding of Prison Fellowship in the USA, she believed this was the answer to her prayers, and so in 1979 Prison Fellowship England and Wales was founded.

Initially, Prison Fellowship was not allowed involvement within the prisons and were told that all we could do was pray. We have never regarded prayer as a ‘consolation prize' but instead as a great privilege. Prayer groups were eventually established across the country to pray for every prison and these groups are still foundational to our work. We now have over 120 prayer groups, with around 1,400 volunteers praying for our prisons, supporting chaplains and running PF programmes.