Proven Results: The Prisoner's Journey Study
Baylor University research finds that The Prisoner's Journey transforms prisoners and leads to prison culture change.
Study on The Prisoner's Journey's Impact
From 2018 to 2021, Baylor University’s Institute of Religion evaluated The Prisoner’s Journey’s impact on prisoner rehabilitation–the first study to examine faith-based programming in prisons on a multinational basis. Nearly 900 prisoners in South Africa and Colombia were studied. This groundbreaking study proved that The Prisoner’s Journey transforms prisoners and leads to culture change in prisons. Program outcomes are uniformly positive for prisoners, prison officials and the community alike.
Study Findings Materials
To help you share the powerful results of this groundbreaking study, a range of materials tailored for Christian, general religious and secular audiences was created. Whether you're speaking to churches, policymakers, the media, correctional officials or community groups, these resources can help you communicate the evidence-based impact of The Prisoner’s Journey in a way that resonates with your audience.
Christian Audience
These materials explore how Christ-centered transformation in prison can lead to lasting change—for prisoners, prisons and communities.
Download MaterialsGeneral Religious Audience
These materials remove direct references to the Bible while still highlighting the role of faith in prisoner transformation and rehabilitation.
Download MaterialsSecular Audience
These materials focus on evidence-based outcomes and the program’s impact on rehabilitation and prison culture without religious language.
Download MaterialsPublications
Explore how the study findings have been shared across the world. Below, you’ll find academic journal articles, news coverage and press releases that highlight the significance and impact of this landmark research.
Academic Journals
- Religion and Rehabilitation in Colombian Prisons: New Insights for Desistance
- [Spanish] Religion and Rehabilitation in Colombian Prisons: New Insights for Desistance
- The Effect of Religion on Emotional Well-Being Among Offenders in Correctional Centers of South Africa: Explanations and Gender Differences
- Religion and Rehabilitation in Colombian and South African Prisons: A Human Flourishing Approach
- Religion and Responsibility- Taking Among Offenders in Colombia and South Africa: A Qualitative Assessment of a Faith-Based Program in Prison
- Virtuous effects of religion on negative emotions among offenders in a Colombian prison
In the News
- Faith-based programs can restore accountability, rehabilitations to prisons
- The effect of religiosity on emotional well-being among prisoners
- Bible study helps reform prison populations, study finds
- Research shows Bible study helps reform prisoners
- New Baylor University Study Shows Faith Has Positive Effect on Inmate's Mental Health
- [Dutch] Bible study leads to better behavior among prisoners: 'Religious involvement creates moral awareness'
The Prisoner's Journey Study Debrief – Baylor University Research Team
The research team walks through the key findings, explains the methodology and shares why this research matters. Download the video.