Makeba: Support groups
Trinity, a member of the Family Life Behind Bars community, posed this question:
My mother was just sentenced to 3-9 years for second degree grand larceny. I am a mom of two teenagers. Life seems so unfair. The pain and worry are almost to much to bare. I am wondering if anyone knows if there is any other way to get money on a commisary account other then by mail or dropping it off? Are there any support groups for families of the prisoners? What services are available to inmates? Is there a website for Bedford Hills Correctional Facility?
I decided to answer those questions this week in my monthly video column:
Click on the player above or download this video here. (iPhone version)
If you are a child of someone who is incarcerated and you have a question for me, you have three options:
- Post a question in the comments section below,
- Send an email to questions@livesinfocus.org,
- Call (646) 867-1891 to leave a message.
I also welcome questions from others who might simply be interested in knowing more about how the life of children is affected when a parent is incarcerated.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: Have you turned to support groups and how did that help you through this time in your life?
[Use the comments feature below or call (646) 867-1891 to leave an audio message.]
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this video. I found it very personable to listen and watch someone rather than just reading information. Thanks again. Happy Holidays
You’re very welcome! I’m glad it helped. Enjoy your holiday!
I have a boyfriend of 3 years incarcerated until 2010 or 2011 we have lived together since we first got together, he was my everything, I have been in and out of severe depression since he was taken from me. I feel anger, sadness, confused, upset, enraged and I feel abandoned. So I guess it’s safe to say we were like husband and wife, and one night without a goodbye he was taken from me. He is now serving his sentence an hour and a half from where we live in southwest Florida. He was previously incarcerated for 15 years and I fear he is institutionalized and I want to help him become a productive citiizen of society once he is released, I feel such a great loss I have been looking for sites like this on and off to try and help us. If anyone has a similiar story in losing their better half to the system please share, it will and DOES help us so we know we’re not alone, I still feel alone a lot of the time. Best of luck to all of you in the same boat I am. May God bless you and your loved one incarcerated.
-Amanda
Thank you for posting this video! It led me right to the information I was looking for. Hopefully the group is still active. Thanks again.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad i could help. And yes, the group is still active.
I never experienced having one of my parents in prison but I guess I can just imagine how it feels like after watching. Thanks for the video.