Fully Alive is a three-day spiritual retreat offering personal growth opportunities. It is held at an Upstate New York women’s correctional facility.

This ecumenical Christian ministry, based on work by John Powell S.J., is a group experience. Retreat leaders seek to encourage the prison’s “women in green” to reflect upon and change distorted visions of Self, Others, Life, the World and God.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, (whispering), I will try again tomorrow.”

– Mary Anne Radmacher

Retreats are offered quarterly, typically for 30 inmates each time. A retreat is led by 6-8 “outside” volunteers, with support from a chaplain serving as prison liaison, and five currently incarcerated women. Many inmate participants come from poverty and are serving sentences for convictions involving drug or alcohol abuse, or issues involving domestic violence. Most anticipate being released in the near future. “I am extremely committed to the women at the prison,” says a professional nurse on “the outside” who has served for years on “the inside” as a Fully Alive prison retreat volunteer. Her experience has taught her that many inmates’ drug and alcohol problems developed as coping mechanisms in the wake of abuse or other traumas they experienced in their lives, “The women are so fragile, so broken. Most have little or no self-esteem. It is heartbreaking.”

Volunteer speaks of the effect of calling inmates by their own name.

Volunteer discusses how forgiveness can bring freedom.

Fully Alive, she says, offers the inmates hope. “It is such a gratifying feeling to witness a woman becoming aware of her own value. As she is treated with respect, she nurtures her understanding of a loving and gracious God.” Forgiveness, mercy and compassion for self can lead to forgiveness, mercy and compassion for others, and to a transformation in one’s view of life, the world and God. “At times you can literally see brokenness being healed.”

Want more information on getting involved? Contact us.

Do you have a similar Jail or Prison Ministry/Program? At PMUNY, We partner with local volunteer prison ministries serving the Upstate New York area. Request financial support.

Our Other Ministries

As a Donor Choice agency of the United Way, our spiritual programs foster love, mercy, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. No proclamation of faith is needed, however individual faith journeys are often rejuvenated and enhanced. Attendance at every program session is voluntary.

Houses of Healing
Adult Program

Eight-week program encouraging self-awareness and emotional healing, held in Monroe County Jail.

Power Source
Adolescent Program

Weekly, hour-long interactive sessions with high-risk adolescents focused on self-awareness, forgiveness and healing.

REC
Men’s Spiritual Retreat

Three-day spiritual retreat structured around themes of God’s unending love and reconciling mercy.