WHY WE SERVE
Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story. Thousands of women are incarcerated throughout Indiana, many facing challenges such as trauma, addiction, broken relationships, poverty, mental health concerns, and barriers to successful reentry.
At Friends Fellowship, we believe that every woman deserves hope, encouragement, and the opportunity to experience God's love and grace. Understanding the realities faced by incarcerated women helps us better respond to their needs and support them on their journey toward healing, restoration, and positive life change.
The statistics below provide insight into the challenges and circumstances affecting many women within Indiana's correctional system. They remind us why compassionate prison ministry, faith-based support, and community involvement continue to be so important.
"When we see beyond the statistics, we discover lives that matter, stories worth hearing, and people worthy of hope."
Understanding the Women We Serve
Friends Fellowship actively participates in community partnerships, correctional roundtables, and collaborative events throughout
Indiana to stay informed about the unique challenges and needs facing incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women.
Understanding the correctional system helps us better serve the women entrusted to our care and allows us to provide meaningful support, encouragement, spiritual growth opportunities, and hope during and after incarceration.
Indiana Women's Correctional Facilities
Friends Fellowship serves women housed throughout Indiana's correctional system, including the state's primary facilities for female offenders.
Indiana Women's Prison (IWP)
The Indiana Women's Prison is a maximum-security Level 4 facility with an average population of approximately 592 women. The facility houses women serving a variety of sentence lengths and security classifications.
Rockville Correctional Facility (RCF)
Rockville Correctional Facility is a low-to-medium security Level 2 facility with an average population of approximately 1,137 women. Many of Friends Fellowship's ministry programs are conducted within this facility.
Understanding Security Levels
The Indiana Department of Correction uses a classification system to help determine the appropriate placement of each offender. Security levels generally include:
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Level 1: Minimum Security
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Level 2: Low-Medium Security
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Level 3: High-Medium Security
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Level 4: Maximum Security
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Several factors are considered when determining placement, including:
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Nature and seriousness of the offense
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Length of sentence
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Prior criminal history
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History of violence
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Escape history
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Substance abuse concerns
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Institutional behavior while incarcerated
Offenders are assessed through Indiana Department of Correction classification procedures, and their security level is determined according to established guidelines and eligibility criteria.
Beyond the Statistics
While numbers and classifications provide important information, Friends Fellowship believes every woman is more than her circumstances or past mistakes.
Behind every statistic is a person seeking hope, healing, purpose, and connection. Our mission is to share the love of Jesus Christ, encourage personal growth, and remind each woman that her future can be greater than her past.
Through Bible studies, healing programs, mentoring, fellowship, and ongoing support, Friends Fellowship works to help women discover their value, strengthen their faith, and prepare for a brighter future.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11-
