Fr. Zachariah Presutti, S.J.
Fr. Zachariah F. Presutti, SJ, LMSW, is the founder and Executive Director of Thrive For Life Prison Project, Inc., a Catholic ministry dedicated to transforming lives behind and beyond prison walls. Under his leadership, Thrive For Life manages the only houses of studies for formerly incarcerated men continuing their education—Abraham House, Ignacio House, and Milwaukee House—offering a continuity of care through a holistic suite of supportive services. In partnership with universities and technical schools, including Columbia University, New York University, St. John's University, and Milwaukee Area Technical College (among others), resident scholars can continue their education while receiving tailored supportive services as they begin their reentry journeys. In 2024, Thrive For Life expanded its continuity of care model to Milwaukee when they opened a house of studies to support up to 12 justice-impacted men continuing their studies at partner universities in the region. In 2023, the organization proudly participated in the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge, where a team of consultants collaborating with Fr. Zach earned second place overall. Over the coming months, Thrive For Life has plans to continue its national expansion with planned houses of study in New England, Baltimore, and the American South.
A licensed social worker with a Master of Social Work from Saint Louis University and a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology, Fr. Zach and his team focus on accompanying justice-impacted people on their journey to permanent and successful reentry by focusing on the whole person. In addition to his role as Thrive For Life’s Executive Director, Fr. Zach also serves as the Catholic chaplain at Rikers Island where he ministers to people in new admissions and punitive segregation.
