PELIPOST | THE OFFICIAL BLOG

The holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, is a time for family gatherings and cherished moments. But for millions of families affected by incarceration, this time can be particularly challenging. How can you maintain connections and show support when a loved one is behind bars? In this post, we explore the power of photos and mail in bridging the gap between incarcerated individuals and their families during the holidays.

Becky, Co-Founder and COO of Pelipost, shares her personal experiences and insights on navigating Thanksgiving while incarcerated. Her story sheds light on the importance of family support and the unexpected warmth found within prison walls during the holiday season.

What is Thanksgiving like on the inside?

You know, surprisingly, there is a lot of warmth inside. There is a lot of camaraderie, and you truly become family with the people in your cell or the people that you see every day. You walk the track with them, they serve the role as your family there. And so in the same instance, Thanksgiving, it wasn’t a thing that you like, ignore. We all knew it was Thanksgiving- “What are we going to do for Thanksgiving?” “Let’s share stories,” “let’s talk,” “let’s watch something special on TV.” You know, you find a way to make it celebratory.

Does sending photos and mail really make an impact?

As soon as the holidays came about – Thanksgiving Day was a big one – friends sending me, “Happy Thanksgiving, thinking of you” cards- all those are bonuses in there to receive. The value of a card changes. And what I mean is, out here where you can go and see hundreds of thousands of cards at Hallmark Store or anything like that, inside, when you receive a card, it means so much more. And I loved it. And I loved receiving cards. And you share them with everyone. They bring you so much joy. So to receive a card with photos inside is jackpot. When I was feeling like my tank was running on empty, with feelings, with emotions, with trying to get through another week, and I would get the envelope and pictures and reminders of home, it would refuel my gas tank and make it possible for me just to get through another week or another month or whatever it was. But it means a lot.

How can families be supportive?

A lot of my family used to think that receiving photos of the holidays was hurtful to me. So they would say, you know, “is it okay if I send you?” or, you know, “we don’t want to make you feel worse.” And they were concerned about that, and I’m sure that there are differing opinions about that. For me, it actually helped to see the families still going on, still celebrating, still living life. And although I was on the inside, it made me personally feel good that people were okay. I got to see my dad. I got to see my mom. I got to see- and don’t get me wrong, it is hard because I’m not there. But the- the happiness that you see. “Oh, my dad looks good.” “Oh, so-and-so’s growing up.” That supersedes what I feel by not being there. I feel good because I was able to at least catch up with that day and be part of the day. And it brought me joy.

Becky's experiences highlight the profound impact that simple gestures like sending cards, photos, and messages can have on incarcerated individuals, especially during the holidays. These acts of love and remembrance serve as lifelines, helping to maintain family bonds and providing emotional support during challenging times.

For families with incarcerated loved ones, it's crucial to remember that staying connected isn't just beneficial for those inside – it also helps families cope with the separation and maintain a sense of unity. Pelipost's photo-sharing app offers a convenient and meaningful way to keep these vital connections alive, allowing families to share their everyday moments and special occasions with their incarcerated loved ones.

As we approach the holiday season, consider how you can use tools like Pelipost to bridge the distance and show your incarcerated loved ones that they're still an important part of your family's celebrations. Every photo, every card, and every message is a powerful reminder of love and connection that transcends prison walls.

Watch our full interview with Becky on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVGhYoqwANI

To read more about the experiences Becky has been through, check out Becky’s Story Inside Incarceration on the Pelipost blog. To download the Pelipost app go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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