Supporting an incarcerated loved one can be difficult, but there are many creative ways that you can do it.
Reports indicate that in 2019, there were over two million prisoners in America in state prisons, jails, and federal institutions. In some cases, it is not only difficult to send mail to your loved one, but it is also difficult to find out where they are even incarcerated. Reaching out to prisoners can be challenging, but there are services that can help you.
If someone you love is in prison, we’ve got some creative mail ideas for inmates that can help you show them that you are still thinking about them.
Drawings and Artwork from Children
One of the most personal touches that you can put on prison mail is by using handmade art and drawings. If the inmate has children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews, they can paint or draw a picture for them.
Not only is this a great way to show a prisoner that they are missed and loved, but it is also an opportunity to explain to children where their artwork is going. It might be difficult for children to understand the situation, but it is important to be honest with them. Be ready to answer any questions they may have about the situation.
This also gives the prisoner some homemade art to put up on their walls as inspiration and motivation to do better. The artwork serves as a reminder that there are people that love and support them.
Once you’ve used an inmate locator and your loved one has inmate calling privileges, you can set up a time for the children to talk to them to help them understand what is happening.
A Family Newsletter
Another creative way to write a prisoner is to send a family newsletter. This is a great way to update your loved one on things that are happening with the extended family.
If you make inmate phone calls regularly, chances are you often give updates on the happenings of the immediate family. A family newsletter is a great way to share information about aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
You can include photos from recent holidays, engagement or pregnancy announcements, and upcoming family events.
This can help the prisoner feel like they are still part of the family and involved in the family happenings.
Affirmations and Inspirational Messages
Being incarcerated is undoubtedly one of the most challenging things anyone can go through.
If you want to know how to write a prisoner, remember that they need words of inspiration and motivation. Gather up relevant, inspirational quotes, use your own words from the heart, and give your incarcerated loved one some motivation to keep going.
Offer encouragement and support to remind them to keep going and do their best no matter the circumstance. Motivate them to use the time that they’re incarcerated to become better. Exercising, reading, taking a class, or learning a new skill are all great ways to make the most out of serving time.
Send Holiday Greeting Cards
Reaching out to an inmate during the holidays is a small gesture that can make a big difference.
The holidays can be particularly difficult for those that are incarcerated. Lack of family contact and inability to share time with loved ones can leave them lonely. Sending a holiday card is a nice way to bring a little bit of joy and holiday spirit to a loved one in prison.
Pigeonly is not only a great source as a federal inmate locator, but it can also help you send greeting cards to a prisoner.
Food, Money, and Gifts
A great way to show love and appreciation to an imprisoned loved one is with gifts. You can send a care package with various items, including food, clothes, and toiletries. You can also opt to put money in an inmate’s books.
Remember, each facility has its own set of rules, so be sure that you abide by the rules when you select items to send. For example, some facilities do not allow you to give inmates actual food, but rather you can put money into an account that they can spend on things while they are inside.
You can send money to an inmate easily with Pigeonly. Using this app, you can deposit money for an inmate online.
Updated Family Photographs
Sending photos is a way that your incarcerated loved one can feel connected to the family as it continues to grow. With the passing of time, children will grow, families get bigger, and changes happen.
If you want to keep your loved one in the loop and updated with the growth of the family, sending photographs can help the difficulty of the separation.
You can use regular jail mail or send photos online to a faster and more efficient process.
Connect With Incarcerated Loved One and Try These Creative Mail Ideas for Inmates
Dealing with a loved one who is in jail can be difficult and overwhelming. Maintaining contact can help keep you connected and alleviate some of the stress of the situation. Try sending artwork, a family newsletter, messages of inspiration, family photos, clothing, food, and gifts as creative mail ideas for inmates.
These are all great ways to show your loved one that you care, and that you’re thinking of them. They will appreciate the gesture, and for an inmate, a little effort goes a long way.
If you want to do an inmate search, be sure to visit our website for a thorough inmate look-up and reach out to your incarcerated loved one today.
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