PF Canada (Prison Fellowship Canada) is a Christian based ministry built
on the commandment of Jesus to "visit Him in prison"(Matthew 25:36): to
visit and encourage the Christian prisoner, ex-prisoner or family member,
and to provide an opportunity for the non-Christian to discover Christ and
hopefully develop a relationship with Him.
Prison Fellowship works with clergy and chaplains to train and equip
church laity to move into this unique and challenging marketplace of
suffering and need.
PF links together local churches who are committed to befriending offenders,
ex-offenders, victims and/or their families. Volunteers maintain their
distinct church identity, but fall under the umbrella of "Prison Fellowship"
when meeting together with prisoners.
Weekly fellowship/Bible studies.
Volunteers meet prisoners in the chapel to study the Bible and fellowship.
One to One(Ontario)Program.
Christians in the community are matched with prisoners for personal
visitation and encouragement. Only volunteers with proven maturity are
considered for the program.
Bible Teaching Seminars.
A PF staff person leads Bible seminars. Local volunteers participate with
the prisoners in discussion, prayer, and music.
Pre-Release Course.
A Christian prisoner nearing release meets weekly with a church
sponsorship group to deal with such issues as money management, job
training, and education, family relationships, fear, anger and faith.
Literacy Training.
Volunteer tutors are trained by PF and linked with an illiterate
prisoner to assist him/her in improving their reading and writing abilities.
Women's Ministry.
A comprehensive small group program links women from local churches
with women in prison for life-skills training and emotional support.
Regular chapter meetings.
Christian volunteers are the caring extension of the various participating
local churches working under the umbrella of Prison Fellowship. Each
chapter is responsible for its own volunteer meetings.
Family Ministry.
Through theOASIS program, local church members provide the support base
necessary to help the families of offenders cope with the incarceration of
their loved one, in both emotional and practical ways.
Ex-Prisoner Ministry.
A Christian ex-prisoner who has worked through the PF pre-release program is
connected with a local church in a "sponsorship" relationship. The church
helps the exprisoner cope and adjust to greater freedom and reentry into
society.
Intercessory Prayer.
A committed core of volunteers pray, corporately, individually, or through a
prayer chain, for ministry needs.
Correspondence.
Requests for pen pals are screened by PF staff and special interests are
considered. Pen pal volunteers are then matched with prisoners who request
correspondence.
Networking.
The city chapter concept offers networking across canada to meet a prisoner
or ex-prisoner's needs when he or she is transferred to another prison or
community.
Insider Magazine.
Produced four times a year by PF Canada, this publication informs readers
on the issues of restorative justice, prisoners, the prison system and
volunteering, from a Christian perspective. It is distributed free of
charge to all who express an interest in the ministry.
Prison Fellowship Canada
214-407 Speers Road, Oakville ON L5K 3T5
(905)339-0213 FAX(905)339-0232