Alpha for Prisons

Alpha helps create a space where prisoners can have life-changing conversations about the Christian faith.

Prisoners often experience a sense of loss and have a hunger to find purpose and meaning in life. Alpha can help you give them a chance to ask life’s big questions and find out about the Christian faith in a safe, informal and friendly environment.

The Vision of Alpha in Prisons

In partnership with the local church, Alpha for prisons aims to give every man and woman in prison the opportunity to know Christ through participating in Alpha, to revitalize the church by encouraging Christians to reach out into prisons with the love of Christ and, to transform society by playing a role in seeing ex-offenders become contributing members of their communities.

“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” – Hebrews 13:3

Man in a township - prison testimony story

Every Alpha session has three key ingredients

Connection

Alpha sessions start with a time to connect, relax and build friendships.

Content

The Alpha talks are designed to inspire conversation. They explore the big issues of life, meaning and the Christian faith.

Conversation

One of the most important parts of any Alpha is the discussion time. There’s no obligation to say anything and there’s nothing you can’t say.

Impact Study: What Prisoners Say About Alpha

97% of prisoners said that Alpha had a positive impact on their lives

99% of prisoners said they would recommend it to their friends

91% said they experienced the love of Jesus

Feeling cared for, being welcomed and a non-judgmental atmosphere rated higher than any other feature of Alpha.

View the Alpha for Prisons Global Impact Study

What Alpha offers your church or organisation

High Quality Training

Our team will ensure that your team is trained and equipped to give talks and facilitate small group discussions in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Sustainability

Alpha for Prisons is best run by a local church that is familiar with Alpha. When a culture of Alpha exists in a prison, many more prisoners will come to faith and momentum will build.

Security

Teams are trained on security precautions, understanding the importance of fully cooperating with the prison and being alert to any security issues in the prison.

Endorsements & Stories

Slide Emmanuel

Emmanuel’s Story

“I have found forgiveness and healing for the things I have done.”
Emmanuel was invited to try Alpha whilst in prison for his part in the Rwandan Genocide. This is his story.

Watch the Story

Rev Tomlin quote

Prison can be a place of transformation, and Alpha for Prisons has proved again and again a means by which many prisoners have found transformation – new purpose, direction, and faith. It is truly remarkable work.

Rev Graham Tomlin | Director of Centre for Cultural Witness, Oxford

Slide 3 Xola

Xola’s Story

“I used to think that God was not for me but for other people.”
Xola shares his transformation from gang life to finding a new way of living.

SA prison officer quote

He was drug addicted when he came to prison, but when he left correctional his behaviour as well as his attitude were changed. Even outside, he is a member of a particular church. All this is because of programmes such as Alpha that play a vital role, which is about the knowledge of God.

Prison Officer | South Africa

Irene’s Story

Hitting rock bottom in prison, Irene was ready to end it all when God intervened in the most remarkable way. She shares the moving story of her imprisonment, restoration and the hope she’s found in new life in Jesus after doing the Alpha course in prison.

Watch the Story

Nigeria quote

In 2016, Alpha Nigeria saw the number of inmates who tried Alpha double by training churches including the Catholic Parishes to run Alpha.

Impact of Alpha | Nigeria

Slide 3 Ben

Ben’s Story

“I loved the atmosphere… it was warm and inviting and also really spiritually enlightening, but in a really gentle way.”
Ben grew up going to church to be good before God, but his reality was drugs, alcohol and a lack of peace. Until he encountered Jesus on Alpha…

Watch the Story

SA team leader quote

I have not had contact with many guys that I met through Alpha in Pollsmoor but had an experience recently when at a Christian meeting in Cape Town a beaming young man came bounding up to me. Surprisingly he recognized me and even remembered my name. He had made a commitment about 5 years previously and had also taken our advice to use the remaining time in prison to further his education. He completed his schooling and had qualified as a boilermaker. I hardly recognized the impressive looking young man. He went on to thank me for the changes that had been brought about in his life as a result of his interactions with Alpha. He is now in the process of completing his internship up country.

Alpha Team Leader | Pollsmoor Prison, South Africa

Interested in Running Alpha for Prisons?

Find out how to get started

or contact

Marlon Petersen

Prison & Church Engagement Specialist

marlon.petersen@alpha.org