Are You Aware of Your Inmates Rights? When a loved one is sentenced to jail or prison, you might fear that they will be placed in circumstances that will jeopardize their health - and their life as a whole - on a daily basis. While it’s generally true that incarcerated individuals will have a less-than-comfortable experience during their imprisonment, this does not mean they should expect to be ... Continue Reading
Pigeonly Blog
Hidden talents: Inmate art, straight from the heart
Too often the talents of those on the inside are overlooked; perhaps due to “out of sight, out of mind?” Allow us to reintroduce you to some of the talented artwork from inmate artists currently in the system. Click the image below to access some selected inmate art, brought to you by Ink from the Pen Magazine. Just click me for more great inmate art… ... Continue Reading
How to Get a Job If You Have a Criminal Record
You don’t need me to tell you that dealing with the criminal justice system is no picnic (to put it mildly). When going through the process of being convicted of a crime and sentenced to probation, jail, or prison, most people maintain hope by looking forward to the day when they can put the whole situation behind them. Unfortunately, even after their sentence has expired, many people discover ... Continue Reading
What to Do When a Loved One Goes to Jail
There’s no sugarcoating it: When a loved one goes to prison or jail, it’ll almost certainly disrupt a number of lives. Not only will they essentially need to put their life on hold, but their arrest and sentencing will also cause upheaval in your life, as well. If you and your loved one are responsible for other individuals - such as children or elderly parents - they, too, will feel the negative ... Continue Reading
Money saving tips when you’re in prison or going to prison
Have a loved one who’s incarcerated or preparing for incarceration? Concerned about the costs associated with staying in touch? This enterprising former convict casually explains Pigeonly and its services, from low-cost photo printing and delivery to how cheap phone calls work. Meet RDAP Dan, your guide to the inside. Sign up here to bring low-cost services to your inmate – and ... Continue Reading
How to Write a Parole Support Letter
For incarcerated individuals, being granted parole can be a huge step in the right direction in terms of moving past their previous mistakes, and in terms of getting their life back on track. While parolees are still technically in the custody of the court, and they will still face a number of restrictions regarding their day-to-day life, being on parole will allow them to begin a brand new ... Continue Reading
When Can a Correctional Officer Use Force Against an Inmate?
One of the most common worries most people have when a loved one is sentenced to jail or prison is that they won’t be safe while locked away. While we’ve talked before about the rights an individual retains while imprisoned, as well as what you can do if you discover your loved one is being abused in prison, the fact of the matter is that correctional officers certainly are licensed to use force ... Continue Reading
What to Do (and Not to Do) to Survive a Prison Sentence
If you’ve recently been sentenced to prison – a place you never thought you’d end up – chances are, you’re pretty terrified. From not knowing exactly what to expect while imprisoned, to hearing horror stories about inmates being jumped, beat up, and even killed while serving their sentence, you can be pretty sure that the months (and possibly years) to come will be quite difficult – and possibly ... Continue Reading
A hopeless place’: St Louis workhouse denounced as a modern-day debtors’ prison
Inez Bordeaux was at times left broke, homeless, and living in a halfway house over the years of unpleasant interactions with the criminal justice system in St Louis, Missouri. But the only time she ever felt hopeless was during the month she was incarcerated in the city's infamous “workhouse†jail in 2016. To read more please ... Continue Reading
