Alpha for Prisons

The Alpha course is running in almost 50 prisons across Canada, and hundreds of prisoners have completed the course through an interdenominational national network of churches.

Caring for ex-offenders is a collaborative effort between local churches and other faith-based organizations. It links prisoners who have completed the Alpha course with a supportive church prior to their release. Ex-offenders are re-integrated into the life of the community and are provided with social support, basic needs and spiritual guidance.

In 2008-09 more than 38,700 adults and youth were in custody in Canada's prisons and correctional facilities. An additional 13,506 offenders were serving a conditional sentence in the community. In January 2010, Correctional Services Canada reported that  24% of incarcerated inmates are serving life sentences, and 74% will be released back into society. 

The following videos from CaringForExOffenders.org in the UK shed some light on both Alpha for Prisons and Caring For Ex-Offenders.

Centre for Social Justice Awards 2010 - CFEO film from Holy Trinity Brompton on Vimeo.

 

Chapter 1: Introduction to Alpha in Prison from Holy Trinity Brompton on Vimeo.
 

Chapter 2: The Purpose of Prison from Holy Trinity Brompton on Vimeo.

Here are some stories from pastors, prison chaplains, Alpha leaders and former inmates:

Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, ON
After the Alpha course, twelve inmates came to faith and wanted to be water baptized! I emphasized that this will not be private. It will be done in a public place. There will be the twelve getting baptized, eight other witnesses, plus a correctional officer, an operational manager, the officer doing yard duty, and the kitchen staff on a break looking through the windows at us.

I told them baptism symbolizes death and resurrection… ‘you die to your old self and rise up into your new self. You have dedicated your life to Christ beforehand. This isn’t going to save you. This is your public declaration that you want to follow Christ.’ All twelve remained firm in their resolve to be baptized.”
- Carl Wake, Co-ordinating Chaplain

We have led a Prison Alpha Ministry Team into the 150 person Minimum Security male dorm area for the last 7 years working with over 1,300 inmates in that time ranging in age from 18 to 65. We have often been mightily touched by what we have seen God do there with our guests. We have witnessed miraculous physical healings and many inmates have had their lives redeemed by the power and love of Jesus.
- Dave Atkins, executive member of the EFFCI (Ex-offender Friendly Faith Community Initiative)

Saskatoon Correctional Centre, SK
My name is Barbara Ashmeade and I'm one of the Chaplains in the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. Alpha has been run in the centre for the past 7 years, twice a year in spring and in the fall. After the Alpha course, the inmates really enjoy Nicky Gumbel's follow up course, "A Life Worth Living" (based on the book of Philippians). They seem to identify a lot with Paul in prison.

I've just finished leading this same study with the women in the Regional Psychiatric Centre. Through the Alpha courses, we've given out several Bibles, Alpha guest manuals, Completion Certificates and watched as the men and women invite Jesus Christ into their hearts. I'm forever grateful that Almighty God would use me to help spread His Word in the prisons to our brothers and sisters.
- Barb Ashmeade

Central East Correctional Centre, Lindsay, ON
Hi, I am the Salvation Army chaplain here and we have completed another Alpha course with 19 participants. I don't think our volunteer has been registering the past couple of courses on the Alpha website, but the inmates are still very committed to Alpha and we encourage them to seek out a church in their area that is also running Alpha.
- Marilyn Allington, Salvation Army chaplain

Bath Institution, Bath ON
I am a Chaplain at Bath Institution in Ontario. I am facilitating the Alpha course to approximately 15-20 men, each time I offer the course. I present Alpha Basic and after it is over, we study "A Life Worth Living" also by Nicky Gumbel.
- Rev Bob Landry, Chaplain

Former prisoner (and Caring For Ex-Offenders recipient)
A caring church community was there when 28-year-old Mark was released from prison on January 31, 2002. Mark left prison to find that a committed group of Christians were waiting for him, had found a place for him to live, helped him find a job and welcomed him into their church.

On April 17th of that year, Mark phoned to say that he had just completed his longest stretch out of prison since he was incarcerated at 15.

Four years since Mark's release, he had completed his high school certificate, trained as a welder, held several jobs, including working the last year and a half as a welder. He attributes his success to the constant support he has received.

Former prisoner at Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre
At about 13 or 14 I was thrown out of the house. I got into so much trouble. Reform school, psychiatric wards and incarceration were quite common for me. No one knew what to do with me. I was physically, sexually and mentally abused.

In prison, I started reading Christian daily devotionals, The Word for You Today and the Canadian Bible Society Daily Bible Reading Guide. Somehow I began to realize God was there all the time, carrying me through every trial and tribulation, waiting for me to simply surrender.

In closing, I sincerely thank you as this is my last day at Alpha (at OCDC). I have made an agreement for a four year sentence. I would very much like to thank you for being there for me and my fellow inmates.

Again thank you everyone on the Alpha team. You do make a difference.
- AJ K, December 2009

For more information and/or to get involved, please email Sue Bennett, Canadian Director of Alpha for Prisons at:  prisons@alphacanada.org or phone the Alpha Canada office at 1-800-743-0899.

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