Q.  Are the courses free for inmates?
A.  Yes! All of the materials and postage are provided free of charge by Life's Key. The inmate has no expenses and is never charged for anything. The only exception would be if a particular institution does not allow us to send in postage-paid return envelopes. Then the inmate would have to buy their own postage.
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Q.  How does an inmate begin receiving your material?
A.  Usually an inmate hears about our courses through other inmates. They might see other inmates studying one of our courses and ask them where it came from. We include a postage-paid enrollment card (when institutions allow) in every package with the intent being that the student will give it to someone else. The other method is for family or friends of an inmate to enroll them via the Enrollment Form. This form can be accessed from the Home and About Us pages of the Life's Key website.
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Q.  Do I need to know the Prison ID number to enroll someone?
A.  No, we can usually find this information. However, the more info you can provide, the easier and faster it will be for us to get material to the individual. Also be sure to include YOUR email address on the Enrollment Form so that we may contact you should we have any questions.
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Q.  How does your program work?
A.  When we know of an inmate who wishes to receive our Emmaus Bible Courses, we check our records to see if they have taken any of our courses before. If so, and we see that they have stopped taking the courses at some point, we send them the next course in accordance to the established sequence.  If it is a new student, we send them the 1st course. After they complete that course and exam, another course will be sent to them and so on. 

How it works: Once the student reads and studies the course material, they answer questions on an exam that has multiple choice and short answer questions corresponding to each chapter of the text.
The exam sheets are then mailed back to Life's Key where they are graded and a Course Commenter provides encouragement, and equips the student by responding to their short answers using Scripture to further enhance the student's understanding. The encouragement and Biblical insight which the Course Commenter provides will be seen by the inmates when their graded exam is returned to them.
       
Upon completion of a course, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion and other courses are sent to them.
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Q.  How are you able to offer the materials and postage for free?
A.  We are a non-profit organization and therefore gratefully accept donations from those who choose to support the work of the Lord. The money goes toward the cost of the courses, building expenses, office materials, mailing permits, and our main expense...postage. If one desires to donate, they may do so by visiting the Donate page on Life's Key website.
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Q.  What are the advantages for an inmate to take the courses offered by Life's Key?
A.  Emmaus courses are Biblically sound; students learn about God, His love for them, the Bible, and they continue to grow their knowledge with each course; the courses test for comprehension; a student receives personalized comments; studying times are flexible; students receive certificates for successful completion of courses; individuals can feel a great sense of accomplishment; courses are also sent to any ex-offenders who wish to continue their studies (if they provide us with their new address),  AND. . .  all course materials and postage are provided FREE of charge!
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Q.  How many courses can an inmate take, and do they need to have any prior Bible knowledge?
A.  We currently have 77 courses in our unique Life's Key curriculum. If an inmate is released, they may still continue to receive the courses if they provide an address where we may send mail. No prior Bible knowledge is required or needed. The courses will teach one how to accept Christ as their Savior, and guide them in learning more about God and the Bible. However, should a person have prior Bible knowledge, the courses will be helpful in furthering their knowledge and Spiritual growth.
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Q.  What courses are offered?
A.  You may view the courses which Life's Key offers by visiting the Emmaus Page, scrolling down to the Photo Gallery, and clicking on any of the courses to zoom in and read the synopsis. 
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Q.  Will a Bible be needed in order to study and complete these courses? 
      If so, will one be provided?
A.  A Bible is not necessary to complete the courses and answer the questions on the exam sheet because the verses are written within the text of each course booklet (along with the Bible verse references). If however, they have a Bible already or have access to one, that will enhance their
ability to do further Bible reading and studying.

Upon request, a regular Bible will be awarded to a student who successfully completes 3 courses, 
or a large print Bible will be awarded for completing 10 courses. 
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Q.  How long has your organization been around?
A.  Life's Key was founded by John J. Bell and has been providing Biblical education to inmates
since 1977. Read more about the history of Life's Key here!
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Q.  What prisons do you send material to?
A.  Currently we provide Biblical education to over 500 institutions in ten states. Go to our About Us page where you may view maps of each of the ten states, depicting the names and locations of each institution we send courses.
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Q.  I would like to help Life's Key. What opportunities are there?
A.  There are currently a couple of opportunities. Course Commenters are needed to review exams each week and provide feedback in the form of encouragement and Biblical insight which the inmate will see when their graded exam is returned to them. Living near our office is not necessary to be a Commenter. Financial help is also a major help to us as we continue to incur expenses. Finally, and most importantly, please pray for this ministry!