Many prisoners are searching for truth, meaning, and purpose in their lives. All too often, however, they are led astray due to the scarcity of biblically and theologically sound resources within correctional facilities.

Ligonier’s Prison Outreach exists to reach the incarcerated with the knowledge of God and the hope of the gospel. We seek to accomplish this by emphasizing the need for a right understanding of who God is and how this leads to a right understanding of ourselves. Right theology leads to right living, and the Lord uses the teaching of His Word to set souls free from the prison of sin (Isa. 61:1).

What Is the Need?

In the United States, more than two million people are currently serving time behind bars. These inmates are struggling with guilt, fear, loneliness, and the temptation to return to a life of crime. Many of these men and women are exposed to a wide array of false teachers, cult leaders, and self-help gurus—none of whom point them to the One who saves. What they need is the life-transforming power of God’s Word, along with the guidance of faithful pastors and teachers.

What Do We Offer?

Ligonier supplies correctional facility chaplains and inmates with sound biblical and theological resources to help incarcerated men and women rebuild their lives on the solid foundation of Scripture.

We serve chaplains by providing them with credits to obtain the discipleship resources they believe will serve them most effectively in their unique ministry setting. We also offer them complimentary bulk subscriptions to Tabletalk magazine and supply access to many Ligonier teaching series that can be broadcast throughout the facility’s closed-circuit television systems or uploaded onto the electronic devices that some inmates can access.

Inmates receive access to a wide range of free resources, including subscriptions to Tabletalk, opportunities to obtain the many books available in our store, and copies of the Reformation Study Bible in a paperback format that complies with most correctional facility standards. Our Ask Ligonier chat service also provides inmates with a platform to ask biblical and theological questions and receive answers from our well-trained staff members.

Since 2012, Ligonier has partnered with Metanoia Prison Ministries to provide the means for inmates to pursue theological education through correspondence courses. These free non-degree courses are tailored specifically to inmates. Taught from a distinctly Reformed perspective, the material is designed to lead students through the basics of the Christian faith and up to advanced theological study. Each student works with a personal instructor who grades his or her coursework and provides helpful feedback.

How Do I Partner and Contribute?

First, Ligonier is always seeking more chaplains to partner with. If you serve as a correctional facility chaplain or know a chaplain who might be interested in receiving discipleship resources, please encourage them to contact our team at prisonoutreach@ligonier.org or 407-333-4244 ext. 1207. It is our privilege to partner with chaplains so no one may be forgotten behind bars (Matt. 25:36).

Second, we invite you to consider supporting this program through your financial gifts and prayers. A donation of $50 will supply five inmates with much-needed gospel teaching resources. $100 will serve ten inmates. By God’s grace and through your generous support, chaplains and prisoners will be thoroughly equipped, shining the light of the gospel in dark places.

“I’ve learned so much valuable information from Dr. R.C. Sproul. This has greatly increased my faith and understanding of my position in Christ Jesus. I don’t need to tell you that good teaching is in very short supply today, especially here in prison. May the grace of God continue to rain down on your ministry and the teaching of sound biblical doctrine that this world so desperately needs.” —William, Oklahoma

“I am an inmate who has been richly blessed by your ministry through a subscription to Tabletalk and the books that have been sent. I do not count it lightly that you are able to provide these complimentary resources through your ministry. They are greatly appreciated and truly help me grow closer to the Lord in what I am learning and am able to apply to my life, as well as in discipling others.” —Timothy, Texas

“I am so blessed to have received the Reformation Study Bible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The information that is provided helps me to gain a clearer understanding of things, as well as initiated a new desire for reading the Bible and understanding its truths.” —Anderson, Texas

“I am currently incarcerated and would like one of the Reformation Study Bibles. I’ve seen some of the other ladies here with them. I love what you do for us; I think it’s amazing. I really thank you for not forgetting us women in these types of situations.” —Jessica, Texas

“This is a most sincere thank you for donations made to the male inmates of the Farmington Correctional Center A-Chapel in Farmington, Missouri. We have received a number of Bibles, audio programs, and teaching series by Dr. R.C. Sproul. We are very appreciative of your gift of these materials. They have only been in circulation here for a short time but have received a considerable amount of interest and are in steady demand. Many men have been blessed by the teachings your ministry has provided.” —Chaplain Mark Wilkinson, Missouri

Our policy is to apply gifts given toward a specific program. If we receive more contributions than can be wisely used for a given project, we apply these funds to meet other pressing needs in our outreach efforts. We are committed to stewarding all gifts wisely toward the goal of proclaiming the holiness of God to as many people as possible. Ligonier Ministries is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.