- Legal EditorHenry Dahut, J.D.
Henry Dahut, J.D.
Attorney - Legal Publisher - Educator
Henry Dahut is a licensed California trial attorney. Over the course of his 30-plus years practicing law, Henry has represented and counseled countless clients in legal trouble.
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- ContributorRobert Thomas
Robert Thomas
Prison Reform Expert
Robert Thomas is a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University, where his doctoral research focuses on mass incarceration, restorative justice and prison reform. His expertise includes critical legal studies and the political history of the United States prison system.
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Aid and support for families of prisoners refers to the range of services, resources, and assistance provided to help families cope with the challenges and hardships caused by the incarceration of a loved one.
Impact On Families of Prisoners
When a loved one is in prison, the impact ripples throughout the whole family and loved ones of the prisoner. The challenges are huge: stress and anxiety, financial stress, social stigma, and many types of legal complexities.
Families of prisoners often feel isolated and unsure of where to turn for help.
However, resources and assistance are available to help families through this difficult time. Below, we list the legal, financial, and wellness assistance that can help families of prisoners.
Programs For Families of Prisoners in Financial Trouble
Financial Hardship To Family Members
When a family member is incarcerated, it quickly becomes a financial hardship for the family left behind. Not only is there lost income, but the family also now has other costs associated with their loved one’s incarceration, such as travel expenses related to visitation, funding their commissary account, communication expenses, childcare, and legal fees.
This article discusses public, private, and nonprofit organizations, as well as community and religious-based programs, that are committed to financially helping low-income families of the incarcerated.
Assistance With Food-Groceries and Health Care
Several public programs assist low-income families in financial trouble. These programs include assistance with food and grocery needs, health care, and counseling services.
Discount Online Pharmacy
There are also deep discounts on prescription drugs offered by companies that require no premiums or co-pays.
Legal Assistance (State Legal Aid)
Legal Aid Clinics – Pro Bono
Pro Bono legal services and legal aid centers in every state offer no and low-cost legal assistance and guidance.
Visitation Rights Assistance
The National Institute of Corrections and state-level organizations can help with visitation policies and get families access to their loved ones in prison.
Reentry Advocacy Assistance
Organizations like Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) work to change sentencing laws and help families advocate for fair treatment.
Action Items:
- Research the visitation rules for the facility where your loved one is in prison.
- Contact a local legal aid organization for sentence reduction or compassionate release advice.
- Document all communication with prison officials so you have a paper trail.
Public Housing and Rent Assistance
Section 8 Housing – Voucher Program
Low-income housing, formerly Section 8 public housing, provides long-term solutions to expand affordable housing.
Public housing is intended for low-income families and individuals. Public housing offers single-family homes to multi-level apartment buildings.
There are also public services for families and individuals facing homelessness.
Energy & Utility Assistance
(LIHEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program supports eligible low-income families with heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, and energy-related repairs.
Statistic: Financial Burden on Families: Incarcerated individuals and their families spend over $2.9 billion annually on phone calls and commissary purchases.
Child Care
Financial Assistance To Families With Children
The child care program provides financial assistance to low-income families who require child care due to work, work-related training, or attending school. To qualify for this program, you must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for 13-year-old and younger children. They must also characterize your financial situation as low-income or very low-income. Obtain more information on this program.
Financial Assistance Directly To Children
Grants For Children
Child-only grants were designed to serve children’s specific needs and incomes. A child’s income might include child support payments or a public benefit like Supplemental Security Income.
These grants provide child caregivers with monthly cash benefits to help them care for the child. Caregivers do not have to be a parent. They can be grandparents, foster parents, aunts, and uncles.
Programs for Kids:
- Mentoring Programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi has mentoring programs for children of incarcerated parents.
- Educational Support: Scholarships and tutoring are available through Scholarship America.
- Therapeutic Services: Art therapy, play therapy, and peer support groups can help children process.
Tips for Caregivers:
- Talk to children about their feelings.
- Keep routines the same to provide stability.
- Celebrate small wins.
Children are resilient, especially with a caring support system. Show them they are loved and not alone.
The Emotional Impact
Families of prisoners experience a range of emotions—grief, shame, anger, and loneliness. The absence of a parent or partner can disrupt family dynamics and leave emotional scars on children. Acknowledge and address these feelings first.
Wellness Resources:
- Find a Safe Space to Talk: Contact a trusted friend, family member, or support group. Sharing your feelings can lighten the emotional burden.
- Journal Your Thoughts: Writing can help you process complex emotions and track your journey.
- Support Groups: Prison Fellowship and Kairos Outside offer group support for families to share their experiences and not feel alone.
- Counseling Services: Many nonprofits and faith-based organizations offer low-cost or free counseling for families of prisoners.
- Child-Focused Programs: Sesame Workshop’s Little Children, Big Challenges has resources to help children cope with a parent in prison.
- Practice Gentle Self-Care: Walking, meditating, or taking a few deep breaths daily can help you manage stress.
You don’t have to have it all figured out right away. Allow yourself to take things one day at a time.
Keeping Family Connected
Staying connected to an incarcerated loved one can help strengthen family ties and aid in rehabilitation. But logistical and financial hurdles get in the way.
Family of Prisoner Resources:
- Regular Visits: Face-to-face interaction helps maintain emotional closeness. Nonprofits like Angel Wings for Families offer transportation assistance for families traveling to visit incarcerated loved ones.
- Video Visitation: Some prisons offer discounted or free video visitation so families don’t have to travel long distances.
- Regular Visits: Face-to-face interaction helps maintain emotional closeness. Nonprofits like Angel Wings for Families offer transportation assistance for families traveling to visit incarcerated loved ones.
- Transportation: Nonprofits like The RIDGE Project and Angel Wings for Families provide transportation for families visiting loved ones in faraway facilities.
- Family Reunification Programs: Many states have programs to help with reunification post-release, including counseling and parenting classes.
Your connection can be a source of hope and healing. Even small efforts can make a significant impact.
Reducing Social Stigma
The stigma around incarceration can make families feel isolated and judged.
How to Reduce Stigma:
- Community Programs: Joining groups like Community Mediation Centers or Families of the Incarcerated Networks can help families connect with others. Groups like Prison Fellowship offer a safe space to connect with others who understand your experience.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Participating in awareness events or volunteering with advocacy organizations can change public opinion.
- Educational Outreach: Educating schools, employers, and community leaders about the effects of incarceration on families can build empathy and reduce bias.
- Focus on Positive Connections: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you.
You are not defined by someone else’s actions. Focus on what you can control—your resilience and your healing.
Statistic: More than 79 million people in the U.S. have a criminal record, creating barriers to housing, jobs, healthcare, and food assistance, among many other collateral consequences.
Returning Home: Reentry Planning and Support
Families often face challenges like finding housing, employment and re-integrating the person back into family life.
Reentry Resources:
- Housing: Halfway Houses and Second Chance Housing Initiatives offer transitional housing for recently released individuals.
- Job Training and Placement: Organizations like The Fortune Society and Defy Ventures provide job training and placement for returning citizens.
- Family Counseling: Reentry can strain relationships, but counseling can help families rebuild trust and set boundaries.
Statistic: Economic Hardship Post-Incarceration: Formerly incarcerated individuals face an unemployment rate of 27%, which is nearly five times higher than the general population, exacerbating economic challenges for their families.
Tips for a Smooth Transition Back:
- Start reentry planning before the release date.
- Research job and housing options ahead of time.
- Attend reentry workshops or seminars offered by many nonprofits.
The reentry journey is a shared one. Patience and open communication can help rebuild a strong foundation.
Advocacy and Systemic Change
Families of prisoners can be a powerful force for change. They can help create a more just and humane system by joining movements and raising awareness.
How to Advocate:
- Join organizations like The Sentencing Project or The Innocence Project.
- Participate in letter-writing campaigns or public events.
- Share your story through blogs, podcasts, or community events
Common Misconceptions About Families of Prisoners.
Misconception: “Families of prisoners are responsible for the incarceration of a family member.”
Reality: Families of prisoners are not at fault for a loved one’s actions. They often suffer collateral consequences, such as social stigma, financial hardship, and emotional distress, despite not being involved in the crime.
Misconception: “Families of prisoners receive plenty of financial aid.”
Reality: Most families of prisoners struggle financially due to the loss of income when a loved one is incarcerated. Aid programs are often limited and may not cover all the financial burdens, such as legal fees, travel for prison visits, or the cost of maintaining communication.
Misconception: “Support for families of prisoners enables criminal behavior.”
Reality: Supporting families has no connection to enabling crime. Instead, it reduces the negative impact of incarceration on children and helps families maintain stability, which can aid in the rehabilitation of the incarcerated individual.
Misconception: “Families cut ties with incarcerated loved ones.”
Reality: Many families work hard to maintain relationships with incarcerated loved ones despite the emotional and logistical challenges. Maintaining these connections can be critical for successful reintegration after release.
Misconception: “Children of incarcerated parents are destined to follow in their footsteps.”
Reality: While children of incarcerated parents face increased risks due to emotional and social challenges, with proper support, they can thrive and break the cycle of incarceration. Support programs can play a key role in reducing these risks.
Misconception: “Support for families of prisoners is a luxury, not a necessity.”
Reality: Support for these families is essential for their well-being. It helps prevent homelessness, mental health crises, and generational trauma, and it promotes healthier communities overall.
Misconception: “Families of prisoners are socially isolated because they don’t want help.”
Reality: Many families experience social stigma and judgment, which leads to isolation, not a lack of desire for help. They often need safe, supportive spaces to share their experiences without fear of judgment.
Misconception: “Support for families primarily benefits the incarcerated individual.”
Reality: While maintaining family connections can improve rehabilitation outcomes for inmates, the primary beneficiaries of aid are the families themselves, particularly children, who need emotional and financial support to cope with the challenges of incarceration.
Prison Family Testimonials
Family Testimonial – Sending Books And Other Supplies To A Prison Inmate:
Post: Be careful about just sending books or magazines. Each facility has different rules for if, how, and where they can receive things from, even the type of books that are allowed.
Make sure to call each facility regarding sending shoes, clothing, hygiene, food, books, magazines, and pictures.
Every time he’s transferred, you’ll need to call the new facility for rules about the above and also visitation rules such as days, times, clothing, and face-to-face or video visits. Again, each facility will have different rules regarding these things.
(Source: Reddit)
Testimonial on Availability of Support Groups For Families With Loved Ones In Prison
Post: My ex is currently in jail awaiting either a plea or trial, it could be a while. It’s one of the worst charges you could possibly get so while I’m trying to be hopeful but this sadness is eating me up. I’m sad about the loss of his future and stuck in thoughts of trying to help him to not get here.
Are there any groups for support in this type of situation? I just started therapy but I need something else to help me 🙁
Response: There are a ton on Facebook. My suggestion is to find one for your state as prison life can vary widely state to state. If and when he ends up at his final prison (he will go to a reception yard first), see if there is a group for that specific facility.
(Source: Reddit)
Support And Aid Programs By State:
Community-Based Organizations Helping Families Left Behind
Navigating the prison industrial complex is frustrating and deeply disturbing. Whether your loved one is preparing to enter the prison system for the first time or has previously been incarcerated, the experience for the loved ones left behind remains the same.
Almost all states have community-based organizations that help families of prisoners with housing expenses, substance abuse, health care, and even counseling. Meditation, yoga, and practicing self-compassion are other ways of taking care of yourself.
Some public organizations may be dedicated primarily to the families of the incarcerated. Others are charities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and social service agencies offering financial assistance regardless of your circumstances.
ALABAMA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
AID TO INMATE MOTHERS (AIM)
P.O. Box 986
Montgomery, AL, 36104
(334)-262-2245
SKIP (SAVE KIDS OF INCARCERATED PARENTS), INC.
Community Resource Services
3438 Lexington Road
Montgomery, AL, 36111
334-269-4141
ARIZONA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
ALONGSIDE MINISTRIES
2830 W Northern Avenue
Phoenix, AZ, 85051
602-995-9484
AZ COMMON GROUND
2406 South 24th Street
Suite E-114
Phoenix, AZ, 85034
602-914-9000
MIDDLE GROUND PRISON REFORM
139 East Encanto Drive
Tempe, AZ, 85281
480-966-8116
www.middlegroundprisonreform.org
PIMA PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP (PPP)
924 N. Alvernon Way
Tucson, AZ, 85711
520-791-2711
SALVATION ARMY PHOENIX
2707 E. Van Buren Street
Phoenix, AZ, 85008
602-267-4100
YAVAPAI REENTRY PROJECT
928-708-0100
COCHISE COUNTY PRAISE MINISTRY
P.O. Box 1082
Sierra Vista, AZ, 85636
520-227-6049
ARKANSAS
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
CENTERS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES
P.O. Box 251970
Little Rock, AR, 72225
1-888-868-0023
2ND GENESIS MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 446
White, GA, 20184
CALIFORNIA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
CENTERFORCE
P.O. Box 415
San Quentin, CA, 94964
415-456-9980
COMMUNITY WORKS
4681 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA, 94609
510-486-2340
CROSSROADS PRISON MINISTRIES
2331 Kellogg Avenue
Corona, CA, 92881
951-737-4664
FRESNO RESCUE MISSION
310 G Street
Fresno, CA, 93706
844-221-2276
THE LIGHTHOUSE
P.O. Box 16461
Fresno, CA, 93775
559-222-4824
NEW BEGINNING FELLOWSHIP
3301 Broadway
Sacramento, CA, 95817
916-469-9865
PRISONER REENTRY NETWORK
1201 Martin Luther King Jr. Way #200
Oakland, CA, 94612
www.prisonerreentrynetwork.org
REENTRY PRISON AND JAIL MINISTRY
P.O. Box 620
Chula Vista, CA, 91912
619-421-6263
RESTORATION HOUSE
4141 Soledad Avenue
Sacramento, CA, 95820
916-454-2068
TAHOE YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES
1021 Fremont Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, CA, 96150
530-541-2445
WELCOME HOME MINISTRIES
1701 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA, 92054
760-439-1136
COLORADO
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
A STRONG TOWER MINISTRY
2959 Franklin Street
Denver, CO, 802205
720-346-6338
BELAY ENTERPRISES
4455 E. 46th Avenue
Denver, CO, 80216
303-296-3990
COMMUNITY REENTRY CENTER
940 Broadway
Denver, CO, 802203
303-763-2496
DENVER GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE
1619 E. 35th Avenue
Denver, CO, 80205
303-974-1900
DOING HIS TIME “72 HOUR FUND”
4045 Wadsworth Blvd.
Suite 310
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
THE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
1600 York Street
Denver, CO, 80206
MI CASA RESOURCE CENTER
360 Acoma Street
Denver, CO, 80223
303-573-1302
REDEMPTION FELLOWSHIP
1820 Broadway Street
Denver, CO, 80202
303-839-1493
ROAD CALLED STRATE
1532 Galena Street, Suite 395
Aurora, CO, 80010
TURNABOUT, INC.
1630 E 14th Avenue
Warren UMC
Denver, CO, 80219
303-813-0005
CONNECTICUT
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
340 West Newberry Road
Bloomfield, CT, 06002
860-683-7100
COMMUNITY RENEWAL TEAM, INC.
555 Windsor Street
Hartford, CT, 06120
860-560-5600
FAMILIES IN CRISIS INC.
60 Popieluszko Court
Hartford, CT, 06106
860-727-5800
FAMILY REENTRY
9 Mott Avenue, Suite 104
Norwalk, CT, 06850
202-838-0496
PEOPLE EMPOWERING PEOPLE
860-486-9081
DELAWARE
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
DELAWARE CENTER FOR JUSTICE
100 W. 10th St. Suite 905
Wilmington, DE, 19801
302-658-7174
FLORIDA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
AGAPE FAMILY MINISTRIES
22790 SW 112 Avenue
Miami, FL, 33170
305-235-2616
CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA
2400 S Ridgewood Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL, 32119
386-304-7600
OPERATION NEW HOPE
1830 N. Main St.
Jacksonville, FL, 32206
904-354-HOPE
REENTRY CENTER FOR OCALA
2006 NE 8th Road
Ocala, FL, 34470
352-351-1280
www.reentrycenterofocala.com
TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN
25 NE Second Street #5501
Miami, FL, 33132
305-237-3880
TAMPA CROSSROADS
202 W. Columbus Drive
Tampa, FL, 33602
813-228-9226
HAWAII
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
HAWAII YOUTH SERVICES NETWORK
677 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 904
Honolulu, HI, 96813
808-489-9549
KUKUI MALAMALAMA MENTORING
5-5785 Kuhio Hwy #A
Hanalei, HI, 96714
808-651-7013
Kupuae.com/community-programs/mentoring
PACT HAWAII
1485 Linapuni Street Suite 105
Honolulu, HI, 96819
808-847-3285
ILLINOIS
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
BREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES (MEN’S)
402 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60624
773-346-1785
BREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES (WOMEN’S)
3330 W. Carroll Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60624
773-722-0179
CHICAGO LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR INCARCERATED MOTHERS (CLAIM) OPERATED BY CGLA
740 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60642
312-738-2452
FAMILY CONNECTIONS OF LSSI
1001 E. Touhy Avenue #50
Des Plaines, IL, 60018
847-635-4600
www.lssi.org/services-prisoner-family.php
HABILITATIVE SYSTEMS INC.
415 S. Kilpatrick
Chicago, IL, 60644
773-261-2252
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE INC. (HDRI)
222 S. Jefferson Street
Chicago, IL, 60661
312-441-9009
PEORIA RESCUE
P.O. Box 837
Peoria, IL, 61652
309-676-6416
ROCKFORD REACHOUT JAIL MINISTRY
Winnebago County Justice Center
650 West State Street
Rockford, IL 61102
815-319-6625
ROOSEVELT UNIV. LIFE SKILL REENTRY SERVICES
18 S. Michigan Avenue
Room GB 209
Chicago, IL, 60603
312-281-3371
SAFER FOUNDATION
571 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL, 60661
312-913-2200
SALVATION ARMY FREEDOM CENTER
825 N. Christiana
Chicago, IL, 60651
312-753-0500
SUPPORT ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN/LESLI’S PLACE
1014 N. Hamlin Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60651
773-342-8384
ST. LEONARD’S HOUSE
2100 W. Warren Blvd.
Chicago, IL, 60612
312-738-1414 ext. 24
TARGET AREA DEVELOPMENT CORP.
1542 W. 79th Street
Chicago, IL, 60620
773-651-6470
TOWER OF REFUGE
1209 S. 4th Street
Springfield, IL, 62703
217-241-9911
UNDER THE DOOR
1006 Gillick Street
Park Ridge, IL, 60068
847-823-3634
INDIANA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
LAPORTE COUNTY COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
0368 South Zigler Road
LaPort, IN, 46350
219-324-6304
www.laportecounty.org/judiciarylaw/communitycorrections
MENTORING CHILDREN OF PROMISE (MCP)
1005 W. Rudisill Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN, 46807
USE WHAT YOU’VE GOT MINISTRY, INC.
3535 W. Kessler Blvd N Drive
Indianapolis, IN, 46222
317-924-4124
www.usewhatyouvegotministry.org
WHEELER MISSION MINISTRIES
205 East New York Street
Indianapolis, IN, 46204
317-635-3575
KANSAS
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
INMATE FAMILY REINTEGRATION – TOPEKA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
815 S.E. Rice Road
Topeka, KS, 66607
785-296-7220
GRACIOUS PROMISE FOUNDATION
6750 W 75th Street #1B
Overland Park, KS, 66204
913-342-1707
KENTUCKY
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
KENTUCKY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN
3000 Ash Avenue
Pewee Valley, KY, 40056
502-241-8454
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE KENTUCKY
801 Corporate Drive #120
Lexington, KY, 40503
859-225-8879
YMCA SAFE PLACE SERVICES
2400 Crittenden Drive
Louisville, KY, 40217
502-635-5233
LOUISIANA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER, INC.
3707 Frenchmen Street
New Orleans, LA, 70122
504-897-6277
MAINE
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
HOME HELP HOPE
P.O. Box 1696
Rockland, ME, 04841
207-593-8151
MARYLAND
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
ALTERNATIVE DIRECTIONS, INC.
2505 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD, 21218
410-889-5072
www.alternativedirectionsinc.org
OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY
910 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA, 30306
404-874-9652
POWER INSIDE
325 E. 25th Street
Baltimore, MD, 21218
410-889-8333
U.S. DREAM ACADEMY
5950 Symphony Woods Road #54
Columbia, MD, 21044
410-772-7143
MASSACHUSETTS
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
AID TO INCARCERATED MOTHERS (AIM)
695 Truman Parkway, Suite B101
Hyde Park, MA, 02136
617-333-0545
MICHIGAN
DETROIT REENTRY CENTER
17600 Ryan Road
Detroit, MI, 48212
313-368-3200
MINNESOTA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
HOSPITALITY HOUSE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
P.O. Box 11998
1220 Logan Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-522-4485
NEXT CHAPTER MINISTRIES
720 Third Avenue SE
Rochester, MN, 55904
507-529-5799
PARENTING WITH PURPOSE
7111 W. Broadway Avenue #206
Minneapolis, MN, 55428
763-503-2892
TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL INC.
102 N. Broadway
Crookston, MN, 56716
218-281-5832
MISSOURI
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
AGAPE HOUSE
120 LaMar Parkway
Pacific, MO, 63069
636-271-5315
CENTER FOR WOMEN IN TRANSITION
7525 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO, 63111
314-771-5207
CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS
3000 Little Hills Expressway, Ste. 102
St. Charles, MO, 63301
636-940-8027
FAMILY UNITED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
P.O. Box 11904
Kansas City, MO, 64138
816-533-5622
www.familyunitedtransportation.com
FATHERS’ SUPPORT CENTER ST. LOUIS
4411 N. Newstead Avenue
St. Louis, MO, 63115
314-333-4170
HANNIBAL PARENTS AS TEACHERS
Hannibal, MO, 63401
573-221-3054
LET’S START
St. Vincent’s Church
1408 S. 10th Street
St. Louis, MO, 63104
METRO LUTHERAN MINISTRY
3031 Holmes Street
Kansas City, MO, 64109
816-931-0027
PATCH
Chillicothe Correctional Center
P.O. Box 871
Chillicothe, MO, 64601
800-284-0145
4-H LIFE PROGRAM
www.extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/home.aspx
NEBRASKA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
BOYS TOWN
14100 Crawford Street
Boys Town, NE, 68010
402-498-1300
BRIDGES TO HOPE
3107 S. Sixth Street #107
Lincoln, NE, 68502
402-420-5696
NEVADA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF PRISON INMATES
P.O. Box 27708
Las Vegas, NV, 89126
702-870-5577
www.ffipnv.org
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
CAMP SPAULDING, SPONSORED BY CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
campspaulding@cfsnh.org
800-640-6486 Ext. 4156
www.cfsnh.org/index.php/summercamp-cip
FAMILY CONNECTIONS CENTER
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER OF THE LAKES REGION COMMUNITY SERVICES
www.lrcs.org/family-resource-center
NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES
215 Myrtle Street
Manchester, NH, 03104
603-669-3030
NEW JERSEY
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF CORRECTION
986 S. Broad Street
Trenton, NJ, 08611
609-396-8900
NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE
393 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ, 07103
973-483-3444
PARENTS ANONYMOUS OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
127 US-206 Suite 10
Trenton, NJ, 08610
609-585-7666
NEW MEXICO
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
NEW PATH MINISTRIES
505-991-6388
PB&J FAMILY SERVICES, INC.
1101 Lopez Road SW
Albuquerque, NM, 87105
505-877-7060
PRISON FAMILY SERVICES
WINGS FOR LIFE INTERNATIONAL
2770 Wyoming Blvd NE #130
Albuquerque, NM, 87112
505-291-6412
www.wingsforlifeinternational.org
NEW YORK
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
BEACON OF LIGHT
PO Box 118
Rexford, NY 12148
518-982-0179
CAYUGA/SENECA COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC.
89 York Street #1
Auburn, NY, 13021
315-255-1703
CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS (CHIPS)
25 Chapel Street
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
718-858-9670
EXODUS TRANSITIONAL COMMUNITY, INC.
2271 Third Avenue, Second Floor
New York, NY, 10035
917-492-0990
FAMILYWORKS-OSBORNE ASSOCIATION
175 Remsen Street, Suite 800
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
718-637-6560
HOUR CHILDREN
36-11 12th Street
Long Island City, NY 11106
718-433-4724
NEW YORK CITY RESCUE MISSION
90 Lafayette Street
New York, NY, 10013
212-226-6214
OSBORNE ORGANIZATION
175 Remsen Street, Suite 800
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
718-637-6560
P.E.A.C.E. INC.
217 South Salina Street, Second Floor
Syracuse, NY, 13202
315-470-3300
PRISON FAMILIES OF NY
40 N. Main Avenue #4
Albany, NY, 12203
518-453-6659
PRISON TALK
1-888-813-0000
WOMEN’S PRISON ASSOCIATION AND HOME INC. (WPA)
110 Second Avenue
New York, NY, 10003
646-292-7740
NORTH CAROLINA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY TRANSITIONS
5825 Old Concord Road
Charlotte, NC, 28214
704-494-0001
www.centerforcommunitytransitions.org
GRACE HOUSE DAY PROGRAM
102 First Avenue NE
Hickory, NC, 28601
828-324-0025
JOBS FOR LIFE
103 Enterprise Street #201
Raleigh, NC, 27607
919-839-6374
OFFENDER FAMILY SERVICES
831 W. Morgan Street
Raleigh, NC, 27603
www.doc.state.nc.us/FamilyServices/forms/questions.html
PRISON MATCH – MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
1034 Bragg Street
P.O. Box 14469
Raleigh, NC, 27620
919-828-4767
www.mothersandtheirchildren.org
OHIO
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
CROSSROADS
8445 Munson Road
Mentor, OH, 44060
440-255-1700
FRANKLIN COUNTY REENTRY COALITION
373 South High Street
25th Floor
Columbus, OH, 43215
614-525-5577
PATHWAY
505 Hamilton Street
Toledo, OH, 43604
419-242-7304
POWERNET OF DAYTON
402 Salem Avenue
Dayton, OH, 45406
937-225-3120
NATIONAL MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER PRISON MINISTRY, INC.
P.O. Box 53583
Cincinnati, OH, 45253
513-545-5649
www.prisonmarriageministry.org
RIDGE PROJECT
J169 State Route 65
McClure, OH, 43534-9740
419-278-0092
TRANSFORM CINCINNATI
513-651-1200
TRULY REACHING YOU MINISTRIES
587 Baird Street
Akron, OH, 44311
330-785-9294
OKLAHOMA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
650 S. Peoria Avenue
Tulsa, OK, 74120
918-587-9471
NEW HOPE OKLAHOMA
501 S. Cincinnati Avenue
Tulsa, OK, 74103
918-359-9024
LOGAN COUNTY FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM
4710 S. Division Street
Guthrie, OK, 73044
405-282-5524
OREGON
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
ADAPT
548 SE Jackson Street
Roseburg, OR, 97470
541-672-2691
CENTRAL OREGON PARTNERSHIPS FOR YOUTH (COPY)
63333 W. Highway 20
Bend, OR, 97703
541-388-6651
www.deschutescountyjail.org/copy_program.html
PATHFINDERS OF OREGON
7800 SW Barbur Blvd.
Portland, OR, 97219
503-892-5396
WASHINGTON COUNTY REENTRY COUNCIL
P.O. Box 463
Hillsboro, OR, 97123
PENNSYLVANIA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
BETHESDA FAMILY SERVICES
260 Reitz Blvd. #6
Lewisburg, PA, 17837
570-523-0605
CAPITAL AREA HEAD START
21 S. Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA, 17013
717-258-5559
www.keystoneyhumanservices.org/capital-area-head-start
EOTC OF NORTHEASTERN PA
431 N. Seventh Avenue
Scranton, PA, 18503-2103
570-348-6484
FAMILY SERVICES OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
6401 Penn Avenue #2
Pittsburgh, PA, 15206
412-661-1681
THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF REINTEGRATION SERVICES (RISE)
990 Spring Garden Street, Seventh Floor
Philadelphia, PA, 19123
215-683-3370
PARENTWISE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
800-544-0227
www.fswp.org/services/education-resources
PENNSYLVANIA TRAILS MINISTRIES
918 Seventh Avenue
Beaver Falls, PA, 15010
724-891-7541
TURNING POINTS FOR CHILDREN
415 S. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19146
215-875-8200
www.turningpointsforchildren.org
SOUTH CAROLINA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
ALSTON WILKES SOCIETY
3519 Medical Drive
Columbia, SC, 29203
1-844-297-1962
SOUTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR FATHERS AND FAMILIES
2711 Middleburg Drive #111
Columbia, SC, 29204
803-227-8800
SOUTH DAKOTA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
FAMILY CONNECTIONS
303 N. Minnesota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD, 57104
605-357-0777
CROSSING HOME
605-431-2763
TENNESSEE
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
BETHEL BIBLE VILLAGE
3001 Hamill Road
Hixson, TN, 37343
423-842-5757
G.F.M. PRISON MINISTRY TEAM
www.lakepointe.org/project/prison-ministry
TEXAS
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
EUNICE CHAMBLES’S HOSPITALITY HOUSE
13378 FM 3522
Abilene, TX, 79601
325-692-0012
www.eunicechamblesshospitalityhouse.com
EXODUS MINISTRIES, INC.
4630 Munger Avenue #110
Dallas, TX, 75204
214-827-3772
LOVED ONES OF PRISONERS (LOOPS), INC.
P.O. Box 14953
Odessa, TX, 79768
325-537-2781
MATCH/PATCH PROGRAM
210-335-6330
OFFENDER PREPARATION AND EDUCATION NETWORK (OPEN), INC.
P.O. Box 472223
Garland, TX, 75047
800-966-1966
www.openinc.org
PORTAL HOUSTON
Encourager Church
10950 Old Katy Road
Houston, TX, 77043
713-419-1214
SHEPHERD’S INN AND CALVARY HOUSE
2689 65th Street
Port Arthur, TX, 77640
409-736-3980
VERMONT
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE VERMONT
94 Main Street #3
Montpelier, VT, 05602
802-229-5724
VIRGINIA
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
ALL GOD’S CHILDREN CAMP
10330 Staples Mill Road
Glen Allen, VA, 23060
1-800-768-6040
ASSISTING FAMILIES OF INMATES
1 N. 5th Street #416
Richmond, VA, 23219
804-643-2401
CHILD SAVERS
200 N. 22nd Street
Richmond, VA, 23223
804-644-9590
GRACE INSIDE
2828 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA, 23294
804-358-7650
HOPE AGLOW EMPOWERMENT CENTER
13550 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Woodbridge, VA, 22191
703-490-4673
HOPE HOUSE
902 Lafayette Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA, 22401
540-371-0831
KINGSWAY PRISON AND FAMILY OUTREACH
2217 S. Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA, 22801
540-433-5658
www.kingswayprisonfamilyoutreach.com
OAR OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, INC.
10640 Page Avenue #250
Fairfax, VA, 22030
703-246-3033
ONESIMUS MINISTRIES
2619 Pocaty Road
Chesapeake, VA, 23322
757-421-2553
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE VIRGINIA
2211 Dickens Road #204
Richmond, VA, 23230
804-359-6166
VIRGINIA CARES TRANSITION PROGRAM
108 Henry Street NW
Roanoke, VA, 24016
540-342-9344
VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA (VNAA)
2121 Crystal Drive #750
Arlington, VA, 22202
571-527-1520
WASHINGTON
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
LYDIA PLACE
1701 Gladstone Street
Bellingham, WA, 98229
360-671-7663
MATTHEW HOUSE
16027 177th Avenue SE
Monroe, WA, 98272
360-794-8720
PUGET SOUND ESD EARLY HEAD START
800 Oakesdale Avenue SW
Renton, WA, 98057
425-917-7600
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY
633 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC, 20004-2902
202-220-5300
WISCONSIN
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
LAD LAKE
225 W. Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI, 53212
262-965-2131
PRISON AFTERCARE OF WISCONSIN
414-750-0858
WISCONSIN COMMUNITY SERVICES INC.
3732 W. Wisconsin Avenue #200
Milwaukee, WI, 532008
414-290-0400
NATIONAL
Support & Aid To Prison Family Members
ALEPH INSTITUTE
9540 Collins Avenue
Surfside, FL 33154
305-864-5553
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
2202 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 455
Tampa, FL, 33607
813-720-8778
CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS LIBRARY:
SPONSORED BY RUTGERS
P.O. Box 2310
Washington D.C., 20013
202-789-2126
EXPRESSIONS ART GALLERY AND OUTREACH MINISTRIES
815 Washington Street
Oakland, CA, 94607
510-451-6646
FRIENDS OUTSIDE
500 Ninth Street #K3
Modesto, CA, 95354
209-522-2209
GIRL SCOUTS BEYOND BARS
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY, 10018
1-800-478-7278
KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY
100 DeBary Plantation Blvd.
DeBary, FL, 32713
407-629-4948
NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE FOR THE DEFENSE OF BATTERED WOMEN
125 S. Ninth Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
1-800-803-0111 ext. 3
NATIONAL H.I.R.E. NETWORK
225 Varick Street
New York, NY, 10014
212-243-1313
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL (RIF)
1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 1100
Washington, D.C., 20036
1-877-743-7323
SAVE KIDS OF INCARCERATED PARENTS (SKIP)
3438 Lexington Road
Montgomery, AL, 36111
334-549-9674
LETTERS FOR THE LORD PRISON MINISTRY
P.O. Box 593
Harrah, OK, 73045
www.prisonministry.net/letters
SET FREE PRISON MINISTRIES
2900 Adams Street C37
Riverside, CA, 92504
1-951-729-5499
www.setfreeprisonministries.org
TEEN CHALLENGE
5250 N Towne Center Dr
Ozark, MO, 65721
(417) 581-2181
855-END-ADDICTION
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA, 22314
703-341-5000
Finding Hope and Moving Forward
Supporting incarcerated parents, family members, or loved ones in prison is challenging but not impossible. With the right resources, support network, and self-care, families can find strength and hope for a better future.
Remember, you are not alone. Many organizations, programs, and communities support prisoners’ families. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
You are stronger than you realize, and help is closer than you think.
Sources and References:
Assistance and Grants for Single Moms in Pennsylvania | Happy Single Mommy.
The Healing Journey: Tips for Navigating Emotional Pain.
Programs That Help Families of Prisoners – Prison Fellowship.
List of State Prisons
Select a state below to see a list of state prisons operating in each particular state and inmate mailing addresses.
Watch Video On The Importance of Self-Care When You Have A Loved One In Prison:
