More than five decades of showing up
Prisoner Visitation & Support began in 1968, when volunteers rooted in the Quaker tradition began visiting conscientious objectors imprisoned during the Vietnam War.
In 1972, the Federal Bureau of Prisons granted PVS access to federal prisons nationwide. Three years later, the Department of Defense extended that access to military prisons.
Today, more than 220 trained volunteers visit people in more than 60 federal and military prisons across the country. PVS has grown, but its purpose remains the same: listen without judgment, return consistently, and remind people in prison that they have not been forgotten.
Milestones
1968:
PVS is founded in the Quaker tradition to visit conscientious objectors imprisoned during the Vietnam War
1972:
Federal Bureau of Prisons grants PVS access to federal prisons nationwide
1975:
The Department of Defense grants PVS access to military prisons
Today:
More than 220 volunteers serve people in more than 60 federal and military prisons across the country
2021–2026 Strategic Plan
Our strategic plan outlines key priorities for growth, volunteer engagement, and expanding our reach to ensure every prisoner who needs support has a visitor.
Help write the next chapter
Become a visitor or make a gift to help PVS reach more people in federal and military prisons
