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Pennsylvania Prison Society

EIN 23-1352267 · Philadelphia, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND DIGNITY OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
15.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
23
Volunteers
220
Highest pay
$155,293, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $893,669 spent. PRISON MONITORING: AS THE ONLY INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT BODY WITH STATUTORY ACCESS FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S PRISONS AND JAILS, THE SOCIETY WORKS DIRECTLY INSIDE ALL 85 STATE AND COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES TO MONITOR CONDITIONS, ESCALATE PROBLEMS, AND SURFACE ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME A PROBLEM. THROUGH THEIR STATEWIDE NETWORK OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS, THE SOCIETY RESPONDS TO INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND WORKS TO RESOLVE ISSUES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AT-LARGE, THEY TRACK KEY ISSUES AND IDENTIFY TRENDS THROUGH DATA COLLECTION, WALKTHROUGHS, AND IN-DEPTH REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN PRISON. "
  2. $407,268 spent. EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY:THE PRISON SOCIETY'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS DRIVE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ON PRISON CONDITIONS AND FRAME THE DEBATE ON INCARCERATION. THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT IS CRITICAL FOR THE PUBLIC, ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, AND PRISON ADMINISTRATORS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. THE SOCIETY'S UNIQUE ACCESS GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO TELL THE TRUEST STORY OF PRISON CONDITIONS, INCREASING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THEY USE THE INFORMATION LEARNED DIRECTLY FROM THOSE EXPERIENCING INCARCERATION TO INFORM ADVOCACY. THROUGH INFORMATION GATHERING, COMMUNICATION, COALITION BUILDING AND OUTREACH, THEY SPARK EMPATHY AND ACTION THAT PROMOTES THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND DIGNITY OF PEOPLE LIVING BEHIND BARS."
  3. $404,478 spent. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT: THE SOCIETY PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE, FROM THEIR TIME IN PRISON THROUGH THEIR RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY BY MANAGING OUR HELPLINE AND PROVIDING MENTORING AND PARENTING CLASSES. THEIR MENTORING PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP EASE THE TRANSITION FROM INCARCERATION BACK TO COMMUNITIES, BY FOSTERING POSITIVE SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, NOT ONLY TO HELP PEOPLE STAY OUT OF PRISON BUT TO IMPROVE THEIR WELLBEING. FOR DECADES, THE SOCIETY HAS BEEN HELPING INCARCERATED PARENTS, BOTH TO PARENT FROM BEHIND BARS AND TO PREPARE FOR REUNIFICATION WITH THEIR FAMILIES. THE SOCIETY ALSO PILOTED A TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO FACILITATE FAMILY VISITS TO REGIONAL JAILS AND PRISONS IN ORDER TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO THEIR INCARCERATED LOVED ONES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1935.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.