ALPHA PRISONS
Thank you so much for your interest in Alpha Prisons. Since the first Alpha ran in Exeter Prison in the UK in 1995, the ministry has now spread to 50 countries worldwide. Many people in prison feel a desperate sense of loss and have a deep hunger for meaning and purpose in life. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only one who can satisfy this hunger. Our vision is that every inmate will have the opportunity to try Alpha while in prison and that each one will come into a living relationship with Jesus.
Revd. Paul Cowley, MBE Pioneer of Alpha Prisons
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Alpha is run in prisons in
50 COUNTRIES around the world.
In 2017, over 53,000 people tried Alpha in more than 800 prisons.
“On Alpha, I started taking responsibility for my actions and wanted to lead a better life. Alpha was fantastic for me. It changed my life. Reading the Bible and praying have become really important for me. I gave my body, heart and soul to Jesus.” – Inmate, Spain
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WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PRISONS?
As of 2017, there are 10.35 million people imprisoned across the world including one million children and 700,000 women.1
Prison overcrowding is a global problem, with over 110 countries exceeding their official prison capacities, some by over 300%.2
The vast majority of prisoners across the world tend to be drawn from the poorest strata of society.1
“As followers of Christ, we are called to show mercy to those in prison. Alpha has proved to be a wonderful tool for the Church to take the gospel into prisons across the world.” – Bishop Grzegorz Rys, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kraków, Poland 4
These prisoners often begin to lose hope, as they are denied justice whilst in prison.
Over 2.5 million of these people being held in prisons are awaiting trial, often for many years.2
ALPHA PRISONS
Alpha in prisons provides churches with a well-established and structured course to reach out to inmates, offering them the opportunity to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view in an informal, friendly and open environment.
There is evidence that prisoners who come to faith in Jesus cope with negative emotions much better.3,4 They find great hope and eventually become people who both receive and give forgiveness.5,6 5
WHAT IS ALPHA?
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions, typically run over several weeks, and can be adapted to fit within the timescale available in prisons. The sessions usually have three key elements: food, talk and discussion.
FOOD A time of socialising with a drink or a snack is a great way to build community and get to know each other in prison.
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TALK The talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation on big issues around faith. Usually around twenty to thirty minutes long, they can be given as a live talk or played as a video.
DISCUSSION A space within prison walls where inmates can be real, open and authentic—where questions are encouraged and friendships are real and often life-long.
Alpha explores these questions: Who is Jesus? Why Did Jesus Die? How Can I Have Faith? Why and How Do I Pray? Why and How Should I Read the Bible? How Does God Guide Us? The Holy Spirit (three talks) How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life? How Can I Resist Evil? Why and How Should I Tell Others? Does God Heal Today? What About the Church? The Alpha materials have been adapted for the prison context. If volunteers choose to give live talks instead of using the films, Alpha Prison Scripts are available, which are shorter and with simplified language.
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WHY RUN ALPHA IN PRISONS?
“Prison can be a place of transformation, and Alpha Prisons has proved again and again a means by which many prisoners have found transformation—new purpose, direction and faith. It is truly a remarkable work.” – The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington, UK
We equip and serve the church in its mission to help people discover and develop a relationship with Jesus through Alpha.
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Our vision is to see the evangelisation of the nations, revitalisation the church and transformation of society.
Evangelisation: Alpha Prisons creates a safe place for prisoners to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and to engage in the big questions of life. Thousands of prisoners have had their dignity and hope restored through Alpha.
Revitalisation: We train and equip local leaders to run Alpha in prisons. As they do, not only are we seeing inmates’ lives transformed, but also that churches are changed and renewed. A culture of compassion and reliance on Holy Spirit develop, and leaders are released.
Transformation: Successful reintegration into society is one of the most important factors in ensuring a prisoner does not re-offend. We often see that the relationships formed between the volunteers and inmates on Alpha form a vital component in this process.
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GET STARTED
For reasons of security, it’s vital that volunteers undergo training provided by the National Alpha Office, and that each Alpha running in prison is registered. For more information about training and registration, visit: alpha.org/prisons Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email us at: prisons@alpha.org
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“Alpha has encouraged me to love others unconditionally. It has also worked to embolden me to speak to others about Jesus Christ. The love exhibited by the volunteers towards the class has been a real comfort and joy to my heart. Thank you.” – Inmate, USA
REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
World Prison Brief 2016. World Prison Population List. 11th Edition. Penal Reform International. Global Prison Trends 2015. www.penalreform.org/wp-content/ uploads/2015/04/PRI-Prisons-global-trends-report-LR.pdf Giordano, P. C., Longmore, M. A., Schroeder, R. D., & Seffrin, P. M. (2008). A Life-Course Perspective On Spirituality And Desistance From Crime. Criminology, 46(1), 99-132. Schroeder, R. D., & Frana, J. F. (2009). Spirituality And Religion, Emotional Coping, And Criminal Desistance: A Qualitative Study Of Men Undergoing Change. Sociological Spectrum, 29(6), 718-741. Maruna, S., Wilson, L., & Curran, K. (2006). Why God Is Often Found Behind Bars: Prison Conversions and the Crisis of Self-Narrative. Research in Human Development, 3(2-3), 161-184. Randall, G. K., & Bishop, A. J. (2013). Direct and Indirect Effects of Religiosity on Valuation of Life Through Forgiveness and Social Provisions Among Older Incarcerated Males. The Gerontologist, 53(1), 51-59.
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alpha.org/prisons prisons@alpha.org