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Join the Literary Bridges Project:

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Abolition as Faith Formation 

We are joining with our friends at the Church of the Larger Fellowship as partners in supporting the Congregational Study Action Issue, Abolition is Faith Formation.  To learn more, go here.

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Staff members Rev Allison Farnum and Keith Talley at One Year Celebration at Leighton Criminal Courthouse next to where UUPMI does jail ministry

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Learning together

Be sure to check out the Minns Lecture Series from Spring 2024 by the Rev Jason Lydon, including topics like: The UUSC National Moratorium on Prison Construction: A Stepping Stone Toward Abolition, The Prisoners' Friend: Universalism and Punishment, and more!

If you are curious about prison abolition, check out this wonderful resource from Abolition Journal. With six sessions, you can go at your own pace. 

Self-led Learning page lists historic offerings and more to help deepen your knowledge.

8-12-20_abolitionist_theologies_virtual_roundtable_transcript.pdf
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 The prison industrial complex touches millions of lives — disproportionately Black, Brown, poor, and disabled communities — yet it often remains invisible to those it doesn't directly touch. As Unitarian Universalists committed to the inherent worth and dignity of every person, we're called to look clearly at systems of harm and to ask what our role is in dismantling them.
Join us for a two-session series that moves from understanding to action:
Session 1: Understanding the Prison Industrial Complex We'll explore what the PIC is, how it developed, who it impacts most, and how it connects to our UU values — grounding ourselves in facts and reflection before moving to action.
Session 2: Disrupting the PIC — Where UUs Fit In We'll hear directly from people with lived experience, explore concrete entry points for engagement, and leave with a real, personal next step.
Whether you're new to this work or have been involved for years, this series offers something: a chance to deepen your understanding, connect with others in your congregation, and discover where your gifts can meet this urgent need.
No prior knowledge required — just an open mind and a willingness to sit with hard truths.
Saturdays on Zoom 11/7/26 and 11/14/26 — 11am-12:30PM Central

register here

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Our Mission

We equip UU's in Illinois to ​transform institutions;  partnering with and supporting people harmed by the prison industrial complex.  Read More

We need your help! We can sustain this ministry only if we have the support of people who care about our shared humanity with people in prison. Your contribution will help fund staff salaries, benefits, and travel costs, plus the costs of our education offerings to congregations.

The In Prison Ministry works to create a spiritual space where all people can come as they are and be affirmed in their inherent worth and dignity, no matter their identities or past harm they may have caused. 

The outside work of the UU Prison Ministry focuses on preparing our congregations to become radically welcoming places for formerly incarcerated and convicted people. We embrace the call of Unitarian Universalism to make our congregations accepting of all people.

​The Prison Ministry will also connect Unitarian Universalists to local and state-level policy  initiatives that seek to build a world community of peace, liberty and justice for all.

Donate Now

UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is a 501(c)3 organization, so your contributions are tax-deductible.

​We are funded  by a large network of Unitarian Universalists,  as well as from grants from the Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility and Crossroads Fund - and grateful for all their support.

​This organization is in part funded by the Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility and the Crossroads Fund.