who we are

Together, we seek the freedom for which we are made.

Chandra has been practicing Centering Prayer since 2012 and facilitating a group inside a medium security prison since January of 2017. She began volunteering in prisons in 2011 as part of a lay Catholic worship team, then was invited by a Chaplain to teach in a faith/character-based dorm. Practicing Centering Prayer with the men in that dorm planted the seed that grew into her passion: sharing this contemplative practice with those currently residing behind prison walls and supporting those desiring to continue the practice post-release. Chandra was appointed Prison Outreach Liaison for Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. (COL) in June 2020, helping organize the current iteration of COL’s Prison Outreach Service Team and serving as its leader until August 2023. Prior to her role with PCF she served as President of Praestolari.

After completing an 18-year prison sentence in North Carolina, Joshua founded Living With Convictions Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing to men and women starting over after incarceration. He is the author of When the Flower Opens: The Extraordinary Friendship Between Abbot Shodo Habukawa and Monsignor Luigi Giussani; editor of Edward Hopper: The Eternal Instant; and author of the forthcoming Shakedowns, Shanks & Shackles: A Writer’s Guide to Prison Life. His essays and interviews have appeared in Magnificat and Convivium.

Eric earned a Master’s Degree of Divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary June of 2012. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Natural Sciences. He has served in ministry for over 30 years. He is married with three daughters. As Canon, Eric leads racial justice and reconciliation work for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Also, Since 2013, Eric has served as Priest in Charge at St. James’ Episcopal Church, where he is engaged in daily urban ministry, church planting, and offering pastoral care to the Penn Hills community.

Al has served in ministry with the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ for 15 years, as Associate Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Interim Minister for churches in Arizona, currently serving as Senior Pastor of East Mesa Christian Church. He is a graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Bachelors in Business and a Masters in Education. Al has been a Religious Volunteer with the Arizona Department of Corrections since 2020, facilitating a weekly Centering Prayer group inside the Eyman Prison Complex in Florence, AZ. Al has served on the Arizona Region Mission Focus Team since 2010 as Chair of the Global Mission Team, and has participated in mission activities in Mexico and Burundi, Africa. He is married, and has two adult children who live in Alaska, his home state. Al is an accomplished musician as well.

Jamie is passionate about building strong, connected communities where people feel they truly belong. With a background in business management and community-focused leadership, she brings a thoughtful balance of operational expertise and people-centered care.

Before moving to Tallahassee in 2022, Jamie founded and ran Rock Bottom Community & Thrift in Oklahoma, a store and community center that became more than just a place to shop—it was a hub for connection and support. Known for her approachable nature and practical problem-solving, she is excited to bring her skills and experience to assisting in building our community and ensuring smooth operations.

Jon is a 20-year survivor of the California prison system. Before that, he was a schoolteacher known for his creative and dramatic style. He had naively trusted in the government, the justice system, and the church and God of his forefathers. Incarceration destroyed all that. In the process of trying to find meaning and healing in a system that seemed aimed to prevent both, he came across the practice of Centering Prayer; it was one of the things that helped him to maintain his sanity in that chaotic environment. While “behind the walls,” Jon served as a chapel music leader, librarian, and tutor, joining with others trying to turn brokenness into wholeness. He also continued his education, becoming the first California inmate to earn an accredited PhD during his incarceration.

Morgan blends storytelling, strategy, and design to help share the transformative impact of Centering Prayer and contemplative community, both inside and outside prison walls. With a background in creative direction, branding, and human-centred design, she is passionate about using stories to foster connection, healing, and understanding. Her work is rooted in a deep belief that transformation begins when people are seen, heard, and supported in their journey toward wholeness. Morgan and her husband Michael also co-lead New Start Enterprises, a nonprofit focused on personal responsibility, accountability, and identity reclamation for justice-impacted individuals. This lived connection to the work of restoration and growth shapes her commitment to sharing stories of hope, resilience, and change.

Melisa is an experienced accounting and nonprofit professional who has spent over 15 years supporting organizations nationwide. With a background in financial strategy, compliance, and charitable planning, she brings both technical expertise and a deep understanding of mission-driven work. She is drawn to PCF’s work in offering practices that support inner growth, transformation, and a path toward lasting change beyond incarceration.

Richard has been practicing Centering Prayer for almost 14 years, with over a decade of that time passing while he was incarcerated. In 2012, he had an encounter with the Divine that changed the course of his life irrevocably. Currently, he illustrates the “Monk Life” comic strip for the Centering Inside newsletter and writes articles for Praestolari/PCF. He lives in Miami, Florida with his roommate, seven cats, and a raccoon.

Octavia is passionate about supporting non-profits and advocating for overlooked populations. As a firm believer in individual agency, she’s committed to providing unwavering support that empowers others to shape their own success. Outside of work, you'll find her reading fantasies and drawing doodles.

Phil spent 32 years in custody, during which he was introduced to Centering Prayer. In his own words: "It totally changed my life, allowing me to become who I am today." Phil helped to found the first known and likely the longest running Centering Prayer group inside a prison. He now feels blessed to be "paying it forward" both as a volunteer and in his role with POND.

Jeff comes from a diverse background in management, support services and computers. He enjoys service to others and has a dedication to assisting those who have been impacted by the incarceration system by bringing awareness about the challenges they face to others.

Frank Baker

Toni Carter

Pat Johnson

Mary Trunk

Susan Turpin