Prison Ministries in CT 

We invite every Church in Connecticut to have a prison ministry. 

Ministries would like to share with you their opportunities in prison ministry, the why, what and how.

“…I was in prison and you came to me.” Matthew 25:36 

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 

“ … I pray …  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20-21 

Volunteer for one of the many ministries here in Connecticut that seek to carry out Jesus’ command to visit men, women, and youth in prison.  Or partner with others who seek to prevent incarceration, support families of the incarcerated, or provide support to those reentering society after incarceration.

Another page, Prison Ministry Reports, has in-depth reports by leaders of the ministries.

This page has:

• Prevention ministries 
• Ministries inside correctional institutions for men, women and youth
• Churches going inside
• Ministries outside for women and children impacted
• Second chance churches
• Re-entry ministries 

Prevention ministries 

Name: Shiloh Baptist Church, New London

Mission: We seek to reach incarcerated men, women, and youth through Bible study and religious services, as well as facilitate their reentry into society.  We also seek to engage the community through our annual Prison Awareness and Prevention Gathering.

Contact:  Winston Taylor, winston_taylor@sbcglobal.net

Ministries inside correctional institutions for men, women and youth

Name: Alpha Prison and Community Ministry

Mission: Alpha has been active since 2007 with 11 Alpha courses that awarded certificates of completion to more than 4,000 individuals. Had 30 to 35 volunteers at one time. Shut down from covid for almost 3 years and resumed in November 2022. Began sixth program September 2023 where 100 people received certificates. Two churches have been involved: Kingdom Life Christian Church (https://klcc.us/) in Milford and First Congregational Church in Cromwell (https://fcccromwell.org/ ).

Contact: Lawrence P. Mayer

Name:  Prison Fellowship 

Mission:  Prison Fellowship® works to restore America’s criminal justice system and those it affects. We help men and women replace the cycle of brokenness that landed them in prison and advocate for justice reform and activate grassroots networks to do the same. We equip wardens to bring restorative change to their facilities, care for prisoners’ families and help strengthen the bond between children and their parents who are behind bars.

Contact: Bernie Norman, bernie_norman@pfm.org

Name:  Kairos Inside of CT

Mission: Kairos Inside creates Christian communities inside prisons that transform lives, decrease prison violence, and reduce recidivism

Contact: Men’s Inside –  Allan Cameron, ACamero01@outlook.com; Women’s Inside – Sheila Cooley, sheilacooley13@gmail.com

Name: A Sacred Place

Mission: The Mission of A Sacred Place is to foster hope among incarcerated women of York CI in order to help them lead responsible, educated, spiritually enriched lives that are drug-free and crime-free.

Contact: Barbara Lisien-Juliano, asacredplace@outlook.com

Churches going inside

Name:  Living Hope Church, Shelton

Mission: We engage in Jesus’ ongoing mission to make disciples and restore what is broken in the world. (currently conducting Bible study at Bridgeport Correctional Center)

Contact: Pat Shouvlin, patshouvlin@gmail.com

Do you have a loved one currently incarcerated?

Name:  Kairos Outside of CT

Mission: We are not meant to do life alone! Kairos Outside offers a no-cost, comfortable, non-judging retreat for women to support each other as they journey through the incarceration of a friend or relative. The Kairos Outside Weekend is a 2 ½ day program based on a series of talks by volunteers designed to address the pain of enduring separation from the one inside and the judgment of others from their community. 
Contact: Sheila Cooley, CTKO2023@gmail.com

Second chance churches

Name: Urban Alliance

Mission: Urban Alliance works to create opportunities for people to achieve lasting change in their lives through the collaborative work of Christian churches and other partner organizations in our local community.

Contact: Jessica Sanderson, PhD, jessica.sanderson@urbanalliance.com

Ministries for Returning Citizens

Name: HomeBridge Ventures

Mission: HomeBridge Ventures seeks to break the cycle of recidivism through transformative relationships, trauma-responsive job training and placement, and a supportive community for justice-involved people that leads to the opportunity to heal and to obtain gainful employment.

Contact: David Stubbs, david@homebridgeventures.org