AMICUS was founded in 1967 to facilitate the development of friendships between volunteers and men and women in Minnesota's prisons and has expanded to include post-release transitions, African-American programs and youth restorative justice. These innovative programs: - caring, respectful relationships - communities and resources to support offenders? self-sufficiency through successful transition into healthy community life - the public in an effort to increase awareness and understanding, dispel fear, and promote justice - its mission through promotion of the AMICUS model locally and nationally - hope for the future, develop spiritually, heal communities and transform lives.