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Michael Gaskins

Michael Gaskins is the Founder and Executive Director of Philadelphia Alive Center for Transformation (PACT). PACT is a 501(c)(3) Christian ministry incorporated in 2002 with a mission of transforming prisoners into people of purpose.  In partnership with the Philadelphia Prison System (PPS) Deputy Commissioner Office of Restorative and Transitional Services and PPS Chaplaincy Services Division and Volunteer Services, PACT works to reduce recidivism and to improve the chances for complete

prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into the Philadelphia community.

PACT is an in-prison and aftercare ministry. PACT has worked with more than 1,500 juvenile and adult, male and female, prisoners and ex-offenders. Of the 1,500, officially 85 participants enrolled and graduated from the PACT aftercare program since the first group in May 2004. PACT remains in contact with 55 graduates. 49 ex-offenders are still out of prison. Nearly half of those participants are currently working. 10 participants have launched their own small business through PACT’s “Starting a Small Business” and Introduction to Entrepreneurship Program. PACT ministers to more than 250 participants within the PPS. At its peak, PACT operated within 5 of the 6 PPS prisons. Additionally, from 2006-2008, PACT offered services to adult men and juvenile male prisoners in Camden, New Jersey.

Mr. Gaskins has been involved in Prison Ministry work through his home church, Bethel Deliverance International Church, for 10 years. He also worked as a Research Analyst for Geneva Global, Inc., tracking the performance and financial sustainability of Third World country organizations. Mr. Gaskins’ professional background is rooted in broadcast journalism. He worked for 7 years in local television news for CBS and NBC networks and COMCAST cable network. He also worked for Public Television, WHYY-TV, as an associate producer on 4 televised documentaries.