Prison Fellowship Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry at the Birthplace of Its Mission and of Angel Tree

Milestone celebration recognizes two prisons where key ministry stories began

MONTGOMERY, AL, Aug. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prison Fellowship, the nation's largest Christian nonprofit serving currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform, marked its 50th anniversary by returning to two Alabama prisons where pivotal moments in the ministry's history took place. The events celebrated five decades of bringing hope, restoration and second chances to people impacted by incarceration.  

The anniversary events began at Federal Prison Camp (FCP) Montgomery, where Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson was incarcerated more than 50 years ago. Colson served a seven-month sentence there for a Watergate-related crime. Colson’s conversion to Christianity and his personal prison experience led to the birth of Prison Fellowship. 

The morning program featured remarks from Heather Rice-Minus, Prison Fellowship president and CEO; a prayer led by the prison chaplain; and a message from Joshua J. Smith, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

In the afternoon, Prison Fellowship celebrated at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women, where another meaningful chapter in Prison Fellowship's history began. While incarcerated at Tutwiler, Mary Kay Beard witnessed mothers wrapping basic necessities from the commissary as Christmas presents for their children. Inspired by their devotion, Beard launched what would become Angel Tree, Prison Fellowship's program that has delivered Christmas gifts and the love of Christ to millions of children with incarcerated parents for more than four decades.

The event at Tutwiler prison featured worship, prayer and a keynote address from Heather Rice-Minus celebrating the lasting impact of Prison Fellowship's ministry and the hope that continues to transform lives behind prison walls. Alice Marie Johnson, criminal justice reform advocate and author, shared her powerful story to inspire the incarcerated women.

“Standing in the places where Prison Fellowship’s story began is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness over the past 50 years,” said Heather Rice-Minus. "From Chuck Colson’s transformation at FCP Montgomery to the start of Angel Tree at Julia Tutwiler Prison, God has used unlikely places, people and moments to bring hope and restoration to millions of people.”

The 50th anniversary events highlighted Prison Fellowship's mission to encounter Jesus with those behind bars, advance second chances and strengthen families impacted by incarceration.  

Prison Fellowship 
Celebrating 50 years of prison ministry, Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest Christian nonprofit equipping the Church to serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and to advocate for justice and human dignity. Prison Fellowship and its church partners encounter Jesus with those behind bars, breaking cycles of crime and prayerfully anticipating a revival of justice, mercy and hope in our culture. 

Susan Merriman
Prison Fellowship
703-554-8698
Susan_merriman@pfm.org