The toll prison takes on the incarcerated individual is quite obvious, but it’s also not easy to be a friend or family member left at home. In fact, families can be devastated when a member goes to prison, especially if it’s a long sentence. Children may have to adapt to living mostly without a parent, spouses may be separated, or parents may have to watch as promising sons and daughters have years shaved off their lives.
There are all kinds of negative emotions one might feel after having a friend or family member sent to prison. You may feel they were targeted, you may feel sad or ashamed, or you may not even know how to feel about it. As difficult as things can be, it’s even harder for the person in prison. The best thing you can do, for everyone involved, is to be there for your incarcerated friend or loved one. You can’t change their situation, but there are ways you can show your support and make things better. Use Search Inmate locator service.
Visit When You Can
Everyone needs to interact with others, and this is especially true of those in prison. They’ll be happier to see friends and family from the outside than anyone else, and it’s important that you show your support face to face. It’s understandable that you may have some fears entering a prison facility, but you’ll need to face these to come through for your friend or family member.
It’s imperative to stay positive during these visits, especially if your loved one is experiencing doubts regarding self-worth or exhibiting other concerning behaviors. You might remind them of how soon they’re eligible for parole or talk about any other relevant legal resources.
Always Answer Calls
It may not be possible to visit in person that often, but you need to maintain some form of regular communication. Do your best to always answer calls from incarcerated friends or family. It will likely do you good to keep in touch with them, and it will especially be helpful for them. Failing to answer their calls may give them the idea that you don’t want to hear from them or that you no longer care about them. This will naturally compound negative emotions, which is harmful to everyone.
Make Them Feel Included
No matter how to communicate with your loved ones in prison, even if you’re only able to write letters, it’s important to keep them updated and included in your life. You’ll, of course, want to know how they’re holding up and being treated, but they want to hear about you too.
Keep them informed on events in your life whether they involve a new job, dating developments, or just something funny that happened the other day. Sharing a laugh is one of the best things you can do to support them, and they’ll likely adapt better once they’re out of prison if they’ve stayed informed.
Photo Credit: Daan Stevens
Send Money
This is an often neglected step, but if you can spare any money, it can mean a great deal to your loved one. Even a little bit can ensure they’re able to communicate through the mail, and they may be able to contact attorneys or other people who can help. Different states will likely have different ways to send money to inmates. NC uses JPay to allow approved visitors to send money, for example. Generally speaking, you’ll just need an inmate’s full name, booking number, and account balance to send money.
Help Them Adjust After Prison
Many inmates find it difficult to adjust back to
I like that you said to keep them up to date with things in your life while also sharing a laugh with them. My brother was just prosecuted last week and I want to make sure that I and the rest of our family still support him. I’ll be sure to remember these tips as I visit him later this week.