Finally. Supportive, firsthand, non-judgmental advice for staying connected with your incarcerated loved one. If you have an LO (loved one) who is incarcerated in the U.S., you are probably experiencing a wide range of emotions. You're frightened out of your mind for your LO's safety. You want to help your LO, and make their life easier, but you're not sure how. And you are feeling super stressed about visiting. You have no idea what to expect. Is it dangerous? Are the COs (corrections officers) going to give you a hard time? Should you talk to other visitors? What should you wear? What should you bring?
Author and journalist Luisa Col鏮 Thayer had all the above questions and emotions when she visited her LO for the first time in a maximum security prison. She looked at the facility's website ahead of time and called the day before, but she still felt like she was going in blind. And given the inaccurate information she received-even directly from prison staff-and the unpredictable circumstances that arise in any correctional facility, she was going into it blind. She wrote this guide so you don't have to.
In the informative, helpful, compassionate, (and sometimes even a little bit funny) Visitor's Guide to Prison, you'll read all about:
- Preparing for your visit
- What COs wish you knew about visiting
- Bringing children
- Dealing with the post-visit blues
- Getting involved
- First-person experiences
- ... and a lot more.
Remember, your loved one is not defined by their circumstances; neither are you. You've got this. And you are not alone!
