Rise and Reform

Finding out that your loved one has been incarcerated is not an easy experience. In a lot of cases, the police may not be your best resources for finding support. The question is, where do you go when your loved one has been incarcerated? In some cases, victim services can be a vital resource. However, in a lot of cases, it doesn’t quite apply. 

One resource you can go to is Mothers Offering Mutual Support. Although it started as a support group for mothers whose children have been incarcerated, they have opened their support groups to anyone and everyone who might be affected by incarceration. Not only can they connect you to people who know what you’re going through, but they can also connect you to helpful legal resources to help you stay connected to your loved ones. 

Another useful support group you can check out is Prison Ricochet. They have information not just on how to cope with an incarcerated loved one, but they also have information on links to community resources in relation to immigration detention. 

PASAN offers support to current or previously incarcerated people who are living with or are at risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and who use drugs. Sometimes, your loved one might not know where to go to find support. Community is one of the best ways to lower the recidivism rate, and letting your loved ones know they’re not alone can drastically improve their mental wellbeing, making it a little bit easier on anyone. 

Canadian Families and Correction Networks is another great resource based in Kingston, Ontario. Their home page has a lot of really informative videos, showing how parents are able to stay connected to their children while incarcerated. 

Another good resource is the Prison Family podcast. The podcast hosts interview a lot of different people who have all been through having an incarcerated loved one. Not only does it remind you that you’re not alone, but it gives a lot of helpful tips about how these people processed what they were dealing with and how they got through it. 

If you’ve never dealt with having a loved one behind bars but would still like to support people who have, several of these organizations are accepting donations. 

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