How Prison Fellowship International Works in 120 Countries

In over 120 countries, across all continents, there are people entering prisons not as guards, not as lawyers – but as volunteers. They seek nothing. They offer their time, attention, and the belief that a person can choose a different path.

These are the volunteers of Prison Fellowship International (PFI) – the largest global network dedicated to the social reintegration of incarcerated individuals.

Prison Fellowship Romania (PFR) has been a member of this network since 1993. What we do in Romania's 34 prisons is part of a global model, tested over more than four decades, which demonstrates a simple truth: rehabilitation works.

What is Prison Fellowship International

Prison Fellowship International is a non-governmental organization founded in 1979 by Charles Colson, a former US presidential advisor who himself experienced incarceration. From his personal experience, Colson understood that prison alone does not change people – people change people.

PFI coordinates a network of member organizations in over 120 countries. Each national organization – including PFR – operates independently, adapted to the local context, but shares the same values, mission, and intervention principles.

Global Figures

·        120+ countries - presence on all continents

·        50,000+ active volunteers worldwide

·        UN Consultative Status (ECOSOC) - a voice in global criminal justice policies

·        Over 40 years of experience in rehabilitation and reintegration

How the Network Works

PFI is not a centralized organization dictating what each member does. It is a collaborative network. Each national organization:

Adapts its programs to the local context - legislation, culture, available resources, specific needs of the incarcerated population.

Shares best practices with other organizations in the network - what works in Germany can inspire a solution in Romania, a model from Brazil can be adapted in South Africa.

Benefits from training and support - PFI offers training, educational materials, research, and advocacy at an international level.

Reports impact - each member contributes to a global database demonstrating the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.

Global Reference Models

The APAC Model (Brazil)

APAC (Association for the Protection and Assistance to Convicts) is one of the most well-known models in the PFI network. Developed in Brazil, APAC operates on a revolutionary principle: prisons managed with the active participation of the community.

In APAC centers, there are no armed guards. Inmates participate in community governance, educational and vocational activities, and relationship restoration programs. The recidivism rate in APAC centers is significantly lower than the Brazilian national average.

PFR is currently developing the first APAC Transit Center in Eastern Europe - a model adapted to Romanian realities.The Prisoner's Journey Program

The Prisoner's Journey is a program developed by PFI and implemented in dozens of countries. In Romania, it was piloted in 2023 and implemented nationwide starting in 2024. It is a transformative program, based on themes such as forgiveness, responsibility, and reconnecting with the meaning of life.

Restorative Justice - A Global Vision

PFI promotes the concept of restorative justice worldwide — an approach that focuses not only on punishment but on repairing the harm caused by crime.

Restorative justice means:

·        Offender accountability - not excuses, but taking responsibility for consequences

·        Repairing the relationship with the victim - where possible and desired

·        Community involvement - in the rehabilitation and reintegration process

·        Reducing recidivism - by addressing the causes, not just the symptoms

At the UN, PFI uses its ECOSOC consultative status to advocate for evidence-based criminal policies that prioritize rehabilitation alongside punishment.

PFR in the Global Network

Prison Fellowship Romania has been bringing the PFI model to the Romanian context for over 30 years. The results are comparable to those of the best-performing organizations in the network:

·        Recidivism rate: ~15% for participants in PFR programs (vs. 40-50% national average)

·        34 partner prisons - one of the most extensive coverages in the PFI network in Europe

·        ~5,000 inmates/year in rehabilitation programs

·        20,000+ vulnerable people supported annually through all 8 programs

PFR is not just an importer of models. It is an active contributor - the experience from Romania is studied and replicated by other organizations in the network.

Why PFI Membership Matters

Belonging to a global network means more than just a logo on a website. It means:

·        Access to research - data and studies from dozens of countries on what works in rehabilitation

·        Continuous training - PFR staff and volunteers participate in international training programs

·        Credibility - UN consultative status and global recognition provide legitimacy and trust

·        Solidarity - when a national organization needs support, the network responds

How You Can Contribute

By supporting PFR, you are supporting a part of a global effort. Every contribution goes exactly where it's needed - in Romanian prisons, in vulnerable communities, in the lives of people who deserve a second chance.

·        Donate - support PFR programs directly

·        Redirect 3.5% of your income tax

·        Become a volunteer - be part of the largest reintegration network in the world