Heather Rice‑Minus is the president and CEO of Prison Fellowship and a nationally recognized leader and speaker on criminal justice reform and the intersection of faith, justice and incarceration. During her tenure at Prison Fellowship, she has shaped bipartisan reform efforts, including passage of the landmark FIRST STEP Act. She also has led initiatives to build church partnerships and strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. She is a graduate of the George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School, a member of the Virginia Bar, and a Colson Fellow.
What is the mission and vision of Prison Fellowship?
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. Our mission is to encounter Jesus with those impacted by incarceration, and we envision a revival of the Church inside and outside prison that brings justice, mercy and hope to our culture. Celebrating 50 years of ministry, Prison Fellowship exists to see lives, churches and culture — both inside and outside prison — transformed by the power of Jesus, believing that as we draw near to those on the margins of society, including those behind bars, we draw near to Christ himself.
How does your Christian faith shape the way you think about justice, accountability and restoration within the criminal justice system?
As a Christian, the Bible makes clear that justice is essential to God’s character. In fact, it’s mentioned more than 130 times. In Micah 6:8, “acting justly” is first on the list of what God requires of us. In Amos 5, we learn that God wants to hear his people cause justice to “roll on like a river.” And all throughout the Gospels, Jesus boldly addresses power imbalances and corruption.
My Christian faith also shapes my belief in a God who can make all things new — including people. That means justice should repair brokenness and bring wholeness. It should open the door to healing. The goal of justice is restoration.
Because every person is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), a restorative approach to crime and incarceration recognizes the God-given dignity, value and potential of human life. Honoring the human dignity of victims means there must be accountability for the harm they’ve endured and support for their healing. The person responsible for crime doesn’t lose their God-given value or potential simply because they are convicted or imprisoned. A restorative approach to justice includes opportunities for rehabilitation and second chances after one’s debt is paid.
I had not thought deeply about crime and incarceration until I was researching the issue in my early 20s. I was overwhelmed to learn how many people we hold in prison, the length of their sentences, and the inhumane conditions some face, such as the extended use of solitary confinement and restraints on pregnant and laboring incarcerated mothers. As a Christian, I could not look away. I grew passionate about advocating for justice for those behind bars.
There are stories of people causing great harm in the Bible. But the theme throughout the gospel is that God brings everything to restoration in the end, despite our sinful nature. That’s the story of Jesus’ sacrifice — dying on our behalf so we can be restored to him.
What are some of the most common misconceptions Christians have about people who are currently incarcerated or returning from prison?
Common misconceptions are that people in prison are beyond redemption or undeserving of a second chance. From a Christian perspective, that misses the heart of the gospel. As Christians live out their beliefs that all people are created in God’s image and that no life is beyond God’s reach, they honor the gospel’s transforming power to restore all things, including broken people and systems.
Another misconception is that those in prison are an entirely unreached population. In fact, Jesus is alive and well behind prison walls! The Church you’ll encounter there will likely encourage and revive your own faith. At Prison Fellowship, we believe in mutuality of ministry. There is a two-way street in terms of learning between incarcerated believers and volunteers. There is constant ministry and evangelism happening behind the walls amongst the incarcerated even when we as volunteers and staff aren’t present. If you want to encounter Jesus in a fresh way, let us take you to prison!
The NAE was pleased to support Prison Fellowship in recognizing April as Second Chance Month. How have you seen it raise awareness for criminal justice reform?
Second Chance Month has helped to shine a national spotlight on the nearly 44,000 barriers people with a criminal record face and the importance of a fresh start. Since launching Second Chance Month in 2017, Prison Fellowship has led the nationwide effort to expand opportunities for those rebuilding their lives. Now in its 10th year, more than 1,100 organizations, congregations, and businesses participate in Second Chance Month. Recognized by over 40 states, the U.S. Senate, former President Biden, and President Trump, Second Chance Month has attained broad, bipartisan support for second chances and criminal justice reform.
What are some concrete ways churches and communities can participate in Second Chance Month?
As believers who have experienced the ultimate second chance by receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ, churches have a unique capacity to welcome returning citizens and to advocate for justice reforms that promote full restoration. The Church can celebrate second chances by welcoming people with a criminal record to participate as valued members of congregations and communities. As part of their gatherings during Second Chance Month, pastors and church leaders can host a Second Chance Sunday. These events are a great way to share a message about justice and redemption, offer prayer for those impacted by incarceration, and encourage church members to extend acceptance and friendship.
What is the Second Chance Act? How does it support returning citizens and how does it benefit our communities?
The Second Chance Act, passed in April of 2008, is federal legislation that supports reentry programs for people returning from incarceration. It funds initiatives that provide job training, substance abuse treatment, mentoring and housing assistance. These efforts are often carried out in partnership with community-based organizations that are deeply engaged in this work and have a proven track record of helping people succeed. These resources give individuals a meaningful opportunity to move forward and contribute positively to society. With guidance and support during reentry, returning citizens are better able to rebuild their lives, reducing recidivism and strengthening families. When reentry is successful, communities become safer and everyone benefits.
What evidence have you seen that programs supported by the Second Chance Act help reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for returning citizens?
Programs supported by the Second Chance Act have shown measurable improvements in outcomes for returning citizens, including lower recidivism rates, higher employment and stronger family stability. Since the Act’s passage, the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded more than 1,110 grants totaling over $600 million, reaching more than 442,000 people through reentry services. The Act continues to receive bipartisan support, most recently reflected in $111 million in FY26 funding, highlighting continued confidence in its impact.
For Christians who may not typically engage in public policy, why do you believe advocacy around criminal justice reform is an important expression of faith in action?
Advocacy is an important expression of faith because authentic faith produces fruit, including acts of mercy and giving voice to the people near to God’s heart. God’s love for the poor, the orphan, the imprisoned, and other vulnerable people is made clear across Scripture. As believers, we must be not just about proclaiming the hope of the gospel to those behind bars, but also demonstrating gospel values like justice in the public square.
Research commissioned by Prison Fellowship shows that many value second chances, with 77 percent of practicing Christians believing the Bible calls them to care about people in prison. Advocacy gives believers the opportunity to support policies that uphold accountability, dignity and restoration. By engaging in advocacy, Christians can love their neighbors, strengthen families, and build safer communities by putting faith into action in ways that reach beyond individual ministry to impact millions of lives.
Heather Rice‑Minus is the president and CEO of Prison Fellowship and a nationally recognized leader and speaker on criminal justice reform and the intersection of faith, justice and incarceration. During her tenure at Prison Fellowship, she has shaped bipartisan reform efforts, including passage of the landmark FIRST STEP Act. She also has led initiatives to build church partnerships and strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. She is a graduate of the George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School, a member of the Virginia Bar, and a Colson Fellow.
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