The Need...

The State of Georgia employs 16 full-time and 3 part-time chaplains for 32 prisons. Through grants, HeartBound is funding chaplains at six additional correctional facilities. With 25 chaplains charged with serving approximately 55,000 inmates (that is a 1 to 2,200 ratio), Georgia's prison chaplains are severely limited in their capacity to make difference.

Statistics...

Georgia has the highest percentage of its population incarcerated than any place in the world – 1 in 13 Georgians is under some form of correctional supervision (1 in 31 is the national average). If you took the Georgia Department of Corrections as a whole, it would be the second largest city in the state behind Atlanta.

Ninety-five percent of the inmates in Georgia's prison system will eventually be released back into society. Unfortunately, a recent study by Barna Research revealed that approximately 75% of those who are released will return to prison (this is known as the recidivism rate). However, that percentage drops to an amazing 14% if the inmates studied the Bible while incarcerated. Other studies show that inmates who participate in faith and value-based programs are 50% less likely to be rearrested and 60% less likely to be reincarcerated when compared to other groups.

The cost of housing an inmate is staggering -- an average of $17,017 per inmate each year. Thus, HeartBound's impact goes further than just positively influencing and changing a person's life. If changed lives result in lowered recidivism rates, the savings can be equally staggering. For example, if just 1% of Georgia's prison population (550 inmates) are positively impacted through the work of this ministry and do not return to prison, that translates into a savings of almost $10 million dollars to the state. If 10% were impacted in the same manner, the state would have an almost $100 million dollar savings.

Prison Adoption

"I am more secure knowing that I have not only my family, but an extended adopted family praying for me as well. Praise God! You are doing a great service for the Lord. I pray that your mission to have all Georgia prisons adopted will be fulfilled." John, Inmate, Burruss Correctional Training Center

Adopted Prisons...

Prisons Awaiting Adoption...