Category Archives: Mailbox Responses

I grew up dealing with a father that went in and out of prison most of my life, and now my little cousin is looking at a life sentence. Everyday is a constant reminder that my cousin is sitting in prison, and cannot be there for our family. He misses happy and sad occasions, and is able to see his son grow up. I’ve been to see my cousin and I will continue to go because people in jail need to be reminded that there are people on the outside still care and love them.

My father is in federal prison. It doesn’t affect me because my father was never in my life. But I’ve visited my uncle and my father. I visit people in prison because I know how it is to be in prison and have no one.

My son is incarcerated and we as a family love and miss him terribly. We long for his presence, he has 2 children that need him. We visit as a family as much as we can.

Knowing they are existing in hell means we are all existing in hell

I have a family member that is incarcerated and he is the father of my kids, and I too have been incarcerated. It was hard for me to put money on his books and to take his son up there to visit him.

Having an incarcerated family member makes me feel like I’m unsure of what might happen. I never feel safe. I don’t visit because I don’t want to see him in there. Too many raw emotions come out. I don’t want to upset him.

Having an incarcerated family member is difficult because we have to take care of him financially and it is hard bringing the kids and having to explain what jail is. It’s hard watching loved ones die and he cannot be here. I have to visit because I don’t want him to feel lost or alone. I want him to have hope.

I cry, pray, and think about him every single day and my heart breaks for his children. I wish every inmate could and would receive regular visits.

I have a brother that is in prison that has been there for 22 years to this day. We do miss him and need him out here to help strengthen our family. I have visited my brother, I feel good visiting my brother but do not feel good leaving him in the place.

My father has been incarcerated since I can’t even remember. Out of my 21 years going on 22 years of living, I have seen my father once while he was in court when I was 12 years old. I have a strong mother and since I too am a female I could better relate. But without a father I tried to replace him with different males, because I never had love for my father. So I tried to find it in other men. I don’t visit him and I feel a need not to.

I enjoy spending time with my nephew, he’s 9 years old now, but there’s always this distant look he gets in his eyes as if he’s lacking a very important figure in his life. His father won’t be out until he turns 12. Just at the end of his true childhood. I just feel really bad for him, his father, and my sister. I visited once, he could not take his eyes off his son. I think he was trying to soak as much of him up in what little time we had. I know he can’t wait to be a father again.

There is no rehabilitation when these men are sent to jail. I understand they are being punished for disobeying the law, but if they have more positive resources available while incarcerated, maybe they would learn something good. Especially for young offenders, with the right help, their whole lives can change. Also, there should be resources available for when they come home. To help them find a job or learn a trade. Some of these men, just need to feel like they have a purpose and that they are useful… worthy of having a life. Personally I think employment and education would be a huge positive influence in most of these men’s lives. It could truly change the path that they are on. I visit to spend time with my loved one. It helps him to get through the months of being here and makes me happy just to see his face and be able to touch him.

My sons are incarcerated. I’m worried, sometimes anxious, having to help provide for their children and find ways to keep them connected.

If you are parents you cannot afford to go to jail. I work two jobs to support my family and put myself through grad school to give my kids a better life. Why can’t these men make better choices?

Most of them were on drugs or alcohol. They should have thought first. They knew it was wrong.

I have a son who is incarcerated, a wonderful son, the son of my later years who grew up with two brothers (who had little time for him) and he found his own rather questionable friends. I visit him once or twice a month, write, and talk on the phone. Why? Because he’s my son, whom I love always.

Incarcerated family members are still family. Why would one stop visiting the family member because of his or her misfortune?

It really upsets me, I feel that our black men are set up for failure. More money is invested in jails than our children’s education. At the time of my husband’s arrest, he was the only one working. I was laid off from my job. I had to relocate my family and move back in with my mother. My daughter had to change schools in her last year of high school. I visit my husband every chance I get. It is very important to keep our family together.

I love my brother and I visit him to keep his mind off of the prison for a little while, and to keep him updated on his baby girl. I am unable to fully provide the love and care to my children that they need from their father. I believe in the family unit. We are family, and together we will overcome any and all struggles.