So This is Christmas…
By Prisoner K
Need I say the holidays tend to be rough on the incarcerated?
Sure, they’re an optimistic bunch. Adaptable as all heck. Walk through any block and you’re going to hear and see celebrative chatter, vigorous game playing, and deep focus on the television. But the holidays are keen reminders of where they are and where we wish they were. Never are the phones busier than the holiday season. Everyone trying to get their 30 minutes.
During the holidays, nothing matters more than the little things. My sister sending a birthday card. My brother putting money on my books. Touching reminders that I mattered. And I can tell you even the most hardened felon watching the holidays from inside the wall felt the same way. I saw, even if they thought no one watched.
And there are many who have no family. Never make phone calls, never got packages.
It may be a little late with Christmas nearing this year’s finish line and I’m sorry for clumsily stumbling along now … but I’d like to touch you with a reminder. We can all do something to show those inside they matter.
There are a variety of programs aimed at giving the incarcerated holiday cheer. There are also small things we can do ourselves. These efforts lessen the depression and anxiety that the holidays bring to so many inside the wall.
What follows are a few ways we can promote a Merrier Christmas for the incarcerated.
Angel Tree
Created by The Salvation Army, the Angel Tree Program connects imprisoned parents and grandparents with their children, gifting toys to those children. It’s a wonderful boost to a confined person’s self-esteem when a child thanks them for a gift they didn’t have the means to buy or send. If you’d like to know more about the program, reach out to Angel Tree online or call 1.800.55.ANGEL.
The parent of Angel Tree, Prison Fellowship is one of the largest organizations transforming the lives of the incarcerated. It runs programs and events in correctional facilities across the country. Besides wanting a more restorative approach to justice, they support families and the incarcerated year-round. But during Christmas, they offer unique opportunities and they’re happy to hear from anyone looking to support the incarcerated. You should contact them to see how you can play a part. Call (800.206.9764) or go online.
Send Cards
Reach out to a local prison’s religious leaders.* Many will accept your cards to hand out to random prisoners. The card may come from a stranger but many inside will appreciate the idea someone wants them to have a celebratory season. And if you’re a teacher, perhaps you can have the class create cards for the incarcerated in addition to the card they craft for mom.
Holiday Package Programs for the Incarcerated
You can purchase for the incarcerated generous gift packages filled with hygiene products, food and snacks, shoes, clothing, stationery, games, puzzles, faith-based items. Items will need to come from an approved vendor. Packages take seven to 10 business days to ship and arrive at a facility. Again, reach out to a prison religious leader or talk with the vendor about sending a package to the incarcerated.
The Fortune Society
The Fortune Society believes in a person’s capacity to change if given the right support. The organization works in- and outside the wall to encourage successful reentry. From feeding the disenfranchised to providing solid reentry services to the incarcerated, Fortune is a great place to find out what you can do to brighten the holidays for a person who may not be seeing the light.
If you know of any other ways to bring holiday joy to those on the other side of the wall, please leave a post below. Or share your experiences about how you help the incarcerated get through the happiest time of the year.
* The best way to do this is to directly call a facility. Find the name of the religious leader you prefer (Hasidic, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, etc.) and the best way to reach them.
Prisoner K was a member of the first cohort of the first workshop John facilitated at Rikers Island. He was recently released from his sentence in an upstate facility, and is a working technical writer. He values his and his family’s privacy and like John has read Kafka’s The Trial, thus the pseudonym.