Communities of Restoration (APAC)

Communities of Restoration (COR) are 24-hour, 7-day-a-week intensive prison regimes operated by Prison Fellowship NGOs. They are designed to reduce offending behaviour through character-focused, faith-based programming.

Introduction

A faith-based prison regime developed over a 30-years period in Brazil. Prisoners volunteer to participate in a graduated programme designed to help them experience and participate in responsible, giving, loving relationships.

Where Did Communities of Restoration Come From?

Thirty five years ago, a small group of professionals, business people and retirees in the suburbs of Sao Paolo, Brazil, began visiting prisoners in their city to attend to their medical, psychological, educational, vocational and spiritual needs. For a period of fifteen years they sought an effective approach to prisoner rehabilitation.

How Do Communities of Restoration Work?

While there are important programmatic aspects to CORs, their strength stems from particular values and principles as much as specific practices. These values are explained on the opposite page. The methodology is holistic in addressing all aspects of the lives of prisoners, and in permeating all aspects of the prison environment.

Is There Evidence that Communities of Restoration Work?

Several promising studies suggest that the methodology works. One used records from the original APAC facility, Humaita Prison. Two others were of the first Community of Restoration in the United States, called the InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI) program.

Where are Communities of Restoration (APAC) Running?

Listing of PF National Ministries working with the Community of Restoration (APAC) programme.

Stories about Communities of Restoration

News items related to Communities of Restoration (APAC) based programmes

Evaluations of Communities of Restoration

Provides a listing of research documents related to communities of restoration and faith-based programmes.

Communities Of Restoration Project Reports

Provides descriptions of Communities of Restoration (APAC) programmes around the world.

Communities of Restoration Brochures

Brief informational brochure about the Communities of Restoration programme. It is available in both full color and gray- scale. The documents are in PDF format.

What is human valorisation?

The APAC methodology developed by PF Brazil is an intensive prison regime focusing on the restoration of offenders to themselves, their families, their communities and their Creator. It does this by allowing them to experience and participate in responsible, supportive and caring relationships. The concept of ‘human valorisation’ is a fundamental element of this methodology.