The InnerChange® Freedom Initiative (IFI) is a holistic program that provides educational, values-based program services to prisoners on a voluntary and noncompulsory basis to help prepare them for reentry to society, employment, religious and community service, and family and social relationships. The program is based on values reflected in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Living in the same housing unit, inmate participants are given values- and faith-based teaching along with life skills education for up to 18 months while in prison. Participants receive guidance from a mentor and support from a local faith community for twelve months after they are released from prison.

Vision of InnerChange Freedom Initiative

Purposes of InnerChange Freedom Initiative

• Provide educational, values-based program services to prisoners on a voluntary and noncompulsory basis; to help prepare prisoners for reentry to society, employment, religious and community service, and family and social relationships;



• The IFI program is designed to assist inmates who are seeking life-long change through a moral or spiritual transformation that results in a new pro-social value system and a new way of thinking.

  Provide Christ-centered service and a message of hope to those in need, upon the basis of trust, moral integrity, excellence in leadership, faithfulness to the Gospel and love of Christ, and a commitment to restorative justice as exemplified in the work and message of Prison Fellowship Ministries and its affiliates;


• Develop and coordinate the use of church-based volunteers as teachers, mentors, and resources for the delivery of program services to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families, and to provide accountability and relationships for prisoners upon their return to society; and


• Lessen government’s burden to provide for the public’s safety by helping to reduce the high rate of criminal recidivism, cost of unemployed offenders, the lasting impact of crime upon victims, and the detrimental effect of crime upon families and children of offenders.

Public Interests Served

• Reduces in-prison disciplinary violations and increases respect for authority


• Protects public safety by preventing re-offense


• Enables offenders to become contributing members of society


• Involves the community in the offender change effort and reentry process

Program Overview

Funding

Existing Operations

• Richmond, Texas—Carol S. Vance Unit (Began April, 1997)
• Lansing, Kansas—Lansing Correctional Facility (Began January, 2000)
• Lino Lakes, Minnesota—Albert H. Quie Unit (Began July, 2002)
• Tucker, Arkansas—The Tucker Unit (Began March, 2006)
• Shakopee, Minnesota—Minnesota Correctional Center for Women (Began July, 2006)
• Wrightsville, Arkansas—J. Aaron Hawkins Sr. Center for Women (Began September, 2006)
• Jefferson City, Missouri—Algoa Correctional Center (Began March, 2007)
• Vandalia, Missouri—Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center (Began June, 2007)