The U.S. Leads the World in Incarceration Rates

Our mission field is more than 2 million people.

The United States is the world's leader in incarceration with 2.3 million people currently in the nation's prisons or jails — a 500% increase over the past thirty years.

In 2014 the U.S. represented 5% of the world’s population. But it housed 25% of the world’s incarcerated people.

Number of Men Incarcerated in 2013: 1,463,454
Number of Women Incarcerated in 2012: 113,605
Number of Youth Incarcerated in 2013: 54,148 (in both correctional institutions and adult prisons)

Sources: The Sentencing Project, U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014
Image Source: Prison Policy Initiative

Kairos Brings God's Light into the Darkness of Prison

The prison environment is a dark place, where prisoners face violence, anger, gangs and loneliness daily.

Kairos Prison Ministry volunteers step into this darkness to hold a 3 ½ day weekend, with the majority of participants made up primarily of negative leaders within the prison. Through talks, discussions and Chapel meditations prisoners learn that they are worthy of God’s love, light and grace. That no matter who they are or what they have done, God forgives them.

When a former negative or gang leader accepts Christ, it can influence the very atmosphere of a prison for the better. As the Kairos Christian community inside a prison grows and begins to gain influence, the incidence of violence often decreases.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, Prison Fellowship, Florida Department of Corrections, The Atlantic (October 2014),
Image Source: The Pew Center on the States, 2012

Kairos Reduces Recidivism Rates

Kairos programs have gained the respect of the correctional system.

In a study of 505 inmates released from Florida prisons, the recidivism rate was 15.7% among those who had participated in one Kairos session, and 10% among those who had participated in two or more Kairos continuing ministry sessions.

The non-Kairos control group in the study had a recidivism rate of 23.4%. Reduction in recidivism rates result in reducing the cost to society of further imprisonment (approximately $30,000 per year per prisoner).



Sources: Florida Department of Corrections, Federal Register: Prisons Bureau

Kairos Helps Create Better Communities

The next generation experiences a change in their released family member, who begins to model a lifestyle without crime. New, positive behavior is reinforced.

The local communities become safer, as parolees and former prisoners make positive life choices from the foundation of ongoing Christian "Prayer and Share" weekly meetings.

Families are reunited with more hope for the future.

LEARN MORE: Our Approach to Ministry
LEARN MORE: Kairos Inside
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LEARN MORE: Kairos Torch
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