The idea was submitted to the administration of the prison where it found a responsive hearing. Thus, after the necessary preparations were completed, the yeshivah was opened in the year 5744 (1984).

Alongside the Yeshivah of the Be'er Sheva Prison, a Committee for Religious Rehabilitation was established. It examines and proposes suitable candidates for the yeshivah after the prison rabbi recommends inmates who manifest a sincere desire to participate in the program. The conditions are attendance in classes and prayers, refraining from smoking on the Sabbath, and general good behavior. Afterwards the prisoner is transferred from the general prison to the special yeshivah wing.

Hamaayan provided a team of Torah scholars to lead this project. Their head is Rabbi Shimon Ofek from the town of Ofakim. He was one of the directors of Hamaayan, and he has contributed an enormous amount to the spiritual rehabilitation of the prisoners.

Rabbi Ofek

In the yeshivah wing of the prison there are living facilities as well as a bet midrash, a special kitchen and dining room, and other facilities for recreation and rehabilitation.

The yeshivah was opened with five inmates. Afterwards, participation in the program increased rapidly. In the first two years of its existence over 80 inmates passed through it. None of them have returned to jail after their discharge. This is in stark contrast to the rate of recidivism in the general wing of the prison.

Over 60% of those imprisoned in the Be'er Sheva Prison returned to be incarcerated once again, usually a short time after release.