HOPE PRISON MINISTRY
BRINGING HOPE TO PRISONS SINCE 1991
Hope Prison Ministry has been bringing a message of hope and restoration to people affected by crime since 1991.
Our passion for seeing lives transformed takes us to 25 prisons in South Africa, and a few prisons beyond our borders.

WHAT WE DO
Hope Prison Ministry creates ripples of change through various services and ministries in a range of groups. We offer:
- Church Services on Sundays require up to 30 volunteers for each service.
- Wednesday Life Groups become a small supportive family group for prisoners.
- Restorative Justice Courses (in 2024 Hope Prison Ministry will run 15 week-long courses in different prisons across South Africa).
- Counselling is a key tool in bringing healing and renewal to prisoners and victims.
- Life Skills Programs
- Community Activities like soccer games, fun days and fundraisers help build more resilient and supportive communities.

OUR FOUNDERS
Reverends Jonathan and Jenny Clayton
It has always been personal for Reverend Jonathan Clayton. When he was released from Pollsmoor Prison on March 18 th 1991, he kissed the ground.
“With the help of God, this place will never see me again.”
He jokes that he has been driving over this kiss for thirty years. Reverend Clayton escaped the shadow of South Africa’s prison system, but his heart remained with the men and women still suffering behind bars.
He studied and was ordained through the Baptist Theological Seminary in Cape Town. Together with his wife Jenny, they founded Hope Prison Ministry. What began with one couple and a Volkswagen Beetle has now become a movement of more than 100 staff and volunteers serving across 26 prisons on a weekly basis. The Claytons are the National Prison Chaplains for the Baptist Union, but Hope Prison Ministry is committed to serving prisoners from all creeds and backgrounds.
In 2000, Reverend Clayton facilitated the first Restorative Justice program for the Department of Correctional Services; and in 2005 he and Jenny received International Diplomas in Restorative Justice from Queens University in Canada. “Restorative Justice is the ugliest most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” Restorative Justice has changed corrections in South Africa, and in recognition of his years of leadership in this movement, Reverend Clayton was asked to sit on the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS), reporting directly to the Minister of Justice. He is the first ex-prisoner to be given this honour. What began in Nelson Mandela’s old prison has now become an international movement. The Claytons serve in the International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) and they are proud to have carried their message of hope to ten countries across four continents.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM - OUR FLAGSHIP OFFERING
The Restorative Justice Program is Hope Prison Ministry’s flagship offering – a week-long course for about 30 prison inmates, followed by ten weekly counselling sessions. It takes prisoners on a highly challenging from their shadows into light and truth. Its a voluntary course and prisoners are warned that although it promises healing and restoration, the course may also upend how they see their crimes and entire lifestyle before prison.
By exploring the negative ripple effects of their crime on victims and communities, prisoners become aware of their responsibility for their crime and their decades-long impact on their victims.
Healing around a lost father figure is a valuable theme tackled during the week – 95% of male criminals grow up without a present or loving father. As children most of these prisoners generally lacked a feeling of belonging, teaching on morals and nurturing and affection. Instead, many prisoners experienced a high level of sexual, physical violence and verbal abuse. Many are playing out a cycle of crime that has been in their family for generations; crime is often a part of their identity before they are born.
During the week Restorative Justice seeks to stop this cycle of crime by inviting victims to share their stories with inmates on Day Two and for prisoners to face their crimes with honesty (70% of inmates plead not-guilty to their crimes). On Day Three we explore priorities and remind the participants that God offers himself as their rock. The course challenges them to grapply with taking the step of between prioritising faith and family over gang membership. Many were brought up with an experience of faith, church and the Bible and this day touches many hearts. Heading on, remorse and confession are dealt with and participants are encouraged to confess to crimes, even those for which they have not even been caught. Often the presence of God stirs the prisoners to hunger for a fresh start and clean slate. The next day an exercise teaches the inmates that “what you keep, you carry” and the team sets off on emotive day of forgiveness and psychological and emotional healing. On Saturday, Day Six participants experience the life-changing Family Day where prisoners’ families and or victims came for a face-to-face meeting. Cherished moments unfold as families often hear the truth for the first time and prisoners hear the confessions of parents who may too have let them down in many ways. The once-in-a-lifetime experience of this day is a key part of the impact and world-renown of the Restorative Justice Program.


OUR VALUES
Responsibility – we share victim’s testimonies and come alongside prisoners to encourage them to tell the truth, take responsibility and acknowledge the effects of their crimes.
Accountability – No matter what challenges or abuse a prisoner has suffered, we strongly encourage each one to accept accountability for their actions.
Confessions – “The truth shall set you free” is our message to prisoners when they take a step towards confessing crimes or hoping to reconcile with their family or victims.
Repentance – A heart change comes before a life change. Repentance can involve a commitment to Christ or a heartfelt commitment to step away from a life of crime.
Restitution – “The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner”. Prisoners seek to restore what they destroyed or took by sharing the true story, bringing a confession and apology to victims and in time, earning back trust from family members.
Reconciliation – After forgiveness, full reconciliation with family or community is our aim, as truth, character and finally, trust is restored.
Breaking the Cycle of Crime – We long for a South Africa that is free from the damaging effects of crime. Hope Prison Ministries has a strong desire to see a nation changed – with lowered cases of the child abuse, lack of parental and social supprt and social ills that contribute to a person committing crime.