When a loved one goes to prison, the entire family is affected. The challenges of incarceration can create long-lasting scars. Not just for those who are incarcerated, but the families of those who are incarcerated as well. Prison can be a lonely place. For many, it can seem hopeless. Now more than ever, your loved one in prison needs the support of their family and loved ones. In fact, for the millions of families who have a loved one in prison, family time is one of the most important things to help them in their re-entry journey.
Many families start off with big goals when it comes to family time. However, as time elapses, it can be easy to forget about spending time with them in prison. With the busy lives we lead, it can be difficult to commit to weekly phone calls or writing letters. Although it may not look the same for everyone, investing in their life is worth the effort.
It is crucial to remember that staying connected with your loved one in prison is one of the most important things you can do to help them stay focused on their re-entry. From writing letters, to phone and video calls. Investing your time and energy into your loved one in prison means more to them that you could ever know.
Prison visits – Visiting someone in prison can be one of the best ways to instill hope back into a loved one in prison. A prison visit can mean the world to them, often being the highlight of their day. Although a trip to a prison can take an entire day, it is worth the time investment. Whether you are planning your first visit to a loved one or your 100th time, here are some helpful tips to plan your next trip.
Prison calls – Phone calls can be one of the most practical ways to connect with a loved one in prison. As busy as we all are, planning a phone call is one of the best ways to keep the family together despite incarceration. Some prisons even allow for video calls. Regardless of the prison, you can plan a call with your loved one. Here are a few ideas to plan your next phone call.
Write emails – Many prisons will allow for writing emails to your loved one. Emails are a convenient way to keep in touch. Writing emails sometimes require a small fee. For more info on writing emails, read this story.
Write letters – For those of us who are not incarcerated, most of the letters we receive, we do not look forward to. This is not the case for someone who is in prison. For an inmate, letters are a precious gift that is highly anticipated. For more information on writing letters to a loved one in prison, read this article.
Staying in touch with loved ones can be challenging, especially when your loved one is incarcerated. Although the barrier of prison can be challenging, you should not allow it to break your family apart. There is a way for your family to overcome it.