Separation from your loved ones isn’t easy. When you are incarcerated, there are several ways you can still keep the bond with your friends and family. Although this doesn’t beat seeing, hugging, and laughing with them over a barbeque, it will go a long way in helping you maintain the relationship you had before going to prison.
Emails
Federal prisons in Virginia give inmates access to email, so this is a great way to stay in touch with your loved ones. Emails don’t work like they do when you are out of prison, however. Your loved one will use a service like JPay or Access Corrections to email you, and then the prison staff will print the emails for you. Your loved one has to know which prison you are in and your inmate ID to use this communication mode.
Physical mail is the most common way to keep in touch while in prison. It’s cost-effective for the inmate, making it the easiest way to keep tabs on each other. According to some studies, written communication between inmates and their loved ones helps inmates remain positive and behave to serve their term faster and get back to their friends and family.
Phone calls
Although phone calls are widely used, especially by inmates, they come at a pretty high cost. Phone calls are easy to monitor, and you can hear your loved one’s voice on the other ends. This, in itself, makes the call worth it even if it costs a lot.
Physical visits
Physical visits with friends and family will be some of the best days while in prison. Although not everyone will come to see you, the few faces you see will brighten your day ad give you hope.Whether you will use email, phone calls, or mail, keeping in touch with your friends and family will help you stay strong and hopeful.