Writing letters is one of the most effective ways to stay in contact with a loved one who is incarcerated. While it won’t feel the same as face-to-face conversations, letters offer a great chance to continuously have a dialogue with the incarcerated individual. So, what should write in your letters?
LIFE UPDATES:
Your loved one on the inside is going to want to hear about what’s going on in your life. Tell them all about it! Tell them about what you’ve been doing, how your job has been, any new hobbies or exciting news that has happened recently. If you have children, be sure to inform your loved one about how they’re doing too. You could even let them write out part of a letter or write their own letters as well.
ASK QUESTIONS:
While your loved one is going to want to hear about all the things going on in your life, it’s always good to ask them how they’re doing as well. After all, communication is a two-way street. Ask them simple questions, what are they feeling? What do they do to stay busy on the inside? Or even just asking what has been going on inside the prison. All of these questions will let your loved know you value their feelings too.
DISCUSS BOOKS:
Books are a great way for both of you to keep busy. If there is a particular book your partner is reading on the inside, see if you can find it and read it as well. This will give you both a great opportunity to have consistent conversations and maybe a relief from all of the emotional details going on.
EXPRESS FEELINGS:
This one may come as a no-brainer, but it’s always important to remember to do. Having a loved one who is incarcerated is a tough situation. The emotional and mental damage can be rough. It’s important you don’t keep anything bottled up. Let them know how much you love and miss them regularly, but never stray from telling them the truth. It’s important to be honest and open in any way possible because it will be less stressful for both of you in the long run. Effectively communicating your emotions to one another can help you get through this tough time.