Thousands of couples who are separated by incarceration have participated in hundreds of Marriage Encounter programs in over 50 correctional institutions.

When Kathy Hawk was the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, she recognized NMEPM as one of the national volunteer organizations working in the BOP.  The Chaplaincy Department of the BOP selected NMEPM as "Chaplaincy Program of the Month" some years ago, recognizing it as "the premier program of the spiritual growth of married prisoners and their spouses anywhere in the correctional community."

Why do we want to help strengthen marriages?  Our team couples experienced the benefits of Marriage Encounter in their own lives and know it works.  We're convinced that the program is beneficial to inmates and their spouses; marriages are being saved.  The real power behind Marriage Encounter is God.  We're not professional speakers or marriage counselors.  We're Christians, working with people of all faiths, trusting in God's graces to help others.

The mission of National Marriage Encounter Prison Ministry, Inc. is to promote and encourage marriage and family life by offering Marriage Encounter programs and support materials for the incarcerated man and woman.   NMEPM enables people to discover God’s vision of marriage, thereby leading them to a clearer understanding of their relationship with each other and with God.

NMEPM is a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization that is run completely by volunteers who donate their time and talents.

NMEPM strives to improve the relationships of married inmates and their spouses, and thereby benefit them, their families, and society as a whole.

1. Marriage Encounter:
   National Marriage Encounter Prison Ministry carries Fr. Calvo's vision of marriage to those couples suffering from incarceration.   The same M.E. program as on the outside has been presented behind prison walls with outstanding success since 1981, to couples where one or both spouses are incarcerated.   The basic rhythm of team PRESENTATION, PERSONAL REFLECTION, and COUPLE DIALOGUE remains the same.
   
   HOW DOES M.E. WORK BEHIND THE WALLS?   For two days, couples meet in the chapel or large room inside the prison with other married couples under the direction of their team leaders to experience communication on a deeply personal level.
   
   Couples work privately, learning to appreciate themselves as individuals, to accept each other in a way that rekindles their love relationship, to examine their relationship with God, and to set goals for the future.   Couples usually eat meals together.   However, non-residents leave at night.
   
   
2. Celebrate Marriage:
   This is an abbreviated verson of the Marriage Encouter that provides the high spots and gives the couples "Tools" to use in improving their relationship.   Celebrate Marriage takes its essence from the original Marriage Encounter program but is designed to meet the time constraints of the chaplian.
   
   
3. Oasis:
   This is our only program for INMATES ONLY, married or single.   OASIS provides a time to learn better communication skills, including (Love) letter writing, a time to look inward, and a time of prayer.   In just 5 hours the program helps inmates evaluate themselves, find the causes of some of their thoughts and actions, then shows them how to communicate in a non-threatening and Loving way.   They then look at their spiritual lives and end with prayer and prayer requests.

Anyone can bring awareness of the programs of NMEPM to the attention of a prison chaplain, but programs can only be scheduled by chaplians or other prison staff who can then sponsor and coordinate the program.  If you are a chaplain or other prison staff, and wish to be contacted by the Coordinating Couple of NMEPM, click here .