Summary
- Do not blame yourself for what has happened.
- Do not be afraid to reach out to others for support.
- Where to turn for info and help begins with where your loved one is being held.
When a person goes to jail he is not the only one affected. Parents, siblings, friends, spouses, and kids are all changed in that moment. Life is no longer the same for the person or for his loved ones. Millions are forced to deal with this reality each year. Every situation is different. But, there are some common concerns and emotions.
A flood of feelings
One thing that is bound to occur is a wave of differing emotions. These feelings can range from shock, worry, and fear, to anger, shame, and regret. You will surely feel a sense of loss, grief, and separation. You may also feel abandoned and betrayed. At times, you may feel the situation is hopeless and out of control.
It is important not to blame yourself for what has happened. People make their own choices and sometimes these choices have bad results. Feeling guilty about it will not help you or your loved one. Instead, try to stay positive and focus on ways you and your family can best move forward.
A wave of concerns
There are a number of issues that you will have to deal with. Some of these may include:
- Loss of income
- Legal fees
- Child care
- Upkeep of house
- Court dates
- Custody hearings
- Visitation rules
- Cost of visits and calls
- Social stigma
- Children’s questions
All of these new concerns can quickly get out of hand. Do not be afraid to speak with a mental health provider and the facility to find out more info. Reach out to others for support. This is a time for families to stick together and for friends to rally behind them. Sharing the burden will help to lighten the load.
Finding help
Where to turn for info and help begins with where your loved one is being held. If it is a local city or county jail, or juvenile facility, check with your county sheriff’s office. If it is a state prison, go to your state’s Department of Corrections (DOC) website. You can also access a USA DOC Directory. Locate federal prisons through the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Contact your local welfare office about food stamps and other helpful programs. Check with your state’s Department of Children and Family Services about their Child Care Assistance Program. You may also be able to get financial help through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Find further help through the Directory of Programs Serving Children and Families of the Incarcerated.
Legal help can be accessed through the Legal Information Institute or the Prison Policy Initiative’s Legal Resource Database.
Many families also turn to local places of worship or to charities such as the Salvation Army.
Resources
USA Department of Corrections
www.prisonpenpals.com/corrections.html
Federal Bureau of Prisons
www.bop.gov/
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/help
Directory of Programs Serving Children and Families of the Incarcerated
http://nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu/resources/directory/national-programs/
Legal Information Institute
www.law.cornell.edu/
Legal Resource Database
www.prisonpolicy.org/resources/legal/
Mothers of Inmates
www.mothersofinmates.org/
Daily Strength: Families of Prisoners Support Group
www.dailystrength.org/c/Families-of-Prisoners/support-group
Summary
- Do not blame yourself for what has happened.
- Do not be afraid to reach out to others for support.
- Where to turn for info and help begins with where your loved one is being held.
When a person goes to jail he is not the only one affected. Parents, siblings, friends, spouses, and kids are all changed in that moment. Life is no longer the same for the person or for his loved ones. Millions are forced to deal with this reality each year. Every situation is different. But, there are some common concerns and emotions.
A flood of feelings
One thing that is bound to occur is a wave of differing emotions. These feelings can range from shock, worry, and fear, to anger, shame, and regret. You will surely feel a sense of loss, grief, and separation. You may also feel abandoned and betrayed. At times, you may feel the situation is hopeless and out of control.
It is important not to blame yourself for what has happened. People make their own choices and sometimes these choices have bad results. Feeling guilty about it will not help you or your loved one. Instead, try to stay positive and focus on ways you and your family can best move forward.
A wave of concerns
There are a number of issues that you will have to deal with. Some of these may include:
- Loss of income
- Legal fees
- Child care
- Upkeep of house
- Court dates
- Custody hearings
- Visitation rules
- Cost of visits and calls
- Social stigma
- Children’s questions
All of these new concerns can quickly get out of hand. Do not be afraid to speak with a mental health provider and the facility to find out more info. Reach out to others for support. This is a time for families to stick together and for friends to rally behind them. Sharing the burden will help to lighten the load.
Finding help
Where to turn for info and help begins with where your loved one is being held. If it is a local city or county jail, or juvenile facility, check with your county sheriff’s office. If it is a state prison, go to your state’s Department of Corrections (DOC) website. You can also access a USA DOC Directory. Locate federal prisons through the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Contact your local welfare office about food stamps and other helpful programs. Check with your state’s Department of Children and Family Services about their Child Care Assistance Program. You may also be able to get financial help through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Find further help through the Directory of Programs Serving Children and Families of the Incarcerated.
Legal help can be accessed through the Legal Information Institute or the Prison Policy Initiative’s Legal Resource Database.
Many families also turn to local places of worship or to charities such as the Salvation Army.
Resources
USA Department of Corrections
www.prisonpenpals.com/corrections.html
Federal Bureau of Prisons
www.bop.gov/
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/help
Directory of Programs Serving Children and Families of the Incarcerated
http://nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu/resources/directory/national-programs/
Legal Information Institute
www.law.cornell.edu/
Legal Resource Database
www.prisonpolicy.org/resources/legal/
Mothers of Inmates
www.mothersofinmates.org/
Daily Strength: Families of Prisoners Support Group
www.dailystrength.org/c/Families-of-Prisoners/support-group
Summary
- Do not blame yourself for what has happened.
- Do not be afraid to reach out to others for support.
- Where to turn for info and help begins with where your loved one is being held.
When a person goes to jail he is not the only one affected. Parents, siblings, friends, spouses, and kids are all changed in that moment. Life is no longer the same for the person or for his loved ones. Millions are forced to deal with this reality each year. Every situation is different. But, there are some common concerns and emotions.
A flood of feelings
One thing that is bound to occur is a wave of differing emotions. These feelings can range from shock, worry, and fear, to anger, shame, and regret. You will surely feel a sense of loss, grief, and separation. You may also feel abandoned and betrayed. At times, you may feel the situation is hopeless and out of control.
It is important not to blame yourself for what has happened. People make their own choices and sometimes these choices have bad results. Feeling guilty about it will not help you or your loved one. Instead, try to stay positive and focus on ways you and your family can best move forward.
A wave of concerns
There are a number of issues that you will have to deal with. Some of these may include:
- Loss of income
- Legal fees
- Child care
- Upkeep of house
- Court dates
- Custody hearings
- Visitation rules
- Cost of visits and calls
- Social stigma
- Children’s questions
All of these new concerns can quickly get out of hand. Do not be afraid to speak with a mental health provider and the facility to find out more info. Reach out to others for support. This is a time for families to stick together and for friends to rally behind them. Sharing the burden will help to lighten the load.
Finding help
Where to turn for info and help begins with where your loved one is being held. If it is a local city or county jail, or juvenile facility, check with your county sheriff’s office. If it is a state prison, go to your state’s Department of Corrections (DOC) website. You can also access a USA DOC Directory. Locate federal prisons through the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Contact your local welfare office about food stamps and other helpful programs. Check with your state’s Department of Children and Family Services about their Child Care Assistance Program. You may also be able to get financial help through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Find further help through the Directory of Programs Serving Children and Families of the Incarcerated.
Legal help can be accessed through the Legal Information Institute or the Prison Policy Initiative’s Legal Resource Database.
Many families also turn to local places of worship or to charities such as the Salvation Army.
Resources
USA Department of Corrections
www.prisonpenpals.com/corrections.html
Federal Bureau of Prisons
www.bop.gov/
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/help
Directory of Programs Serving Children and Families of the Incarcerated
http://nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu/resources/directory/national-programs/
Legal Information Institute
www.law.cornell.edu/
Legal Resource Database
www.prisonpolicy.org/resources/legal/
Mothers of Inmates
www.mothersofinmates.org/
Daily Strength: Families of Prisoners Support Group
www.dailystrength.org/c/Families-of-Prisoners/support-group