SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION
Half of the adults in the U.S. has experienced incarceration in their family. The impact of incarceration extends beyond those behind bars, affecting families, friends and communities. This challenging time can leave you feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
Support groups are particularly helpful for people experiencing stigma because they help reframe how these individuals think about themselves and may even help them improve their social situation. Whether you are a currently incarcerated person or a loved one seeking practical guidance, emotional support or a connection to a community that understands, we encourage you to connect with the following safe spaces to connect with others of shared experiences who will identify with you, offer support and share resources.
If you need resources to help with employment, housing, healthcare and more, see the list of criminal record friendly resources on our resources page.
See Support Groups from outside of Georgia, listed at the bottom
Our Time Virtual Support Group for Families. 2nd Wednesday. 7pm EST. Zoom.
Families of incarcerated people in the U.S. face severe financial and emotional burdens, with 1 in 5 households losing income, averaging over $1,800 per month in lost wages and expenses. Roughly 6.5 million adults have an immediate family member in jail or prison. These families frequently experience housing instability, and children with incarcerated parents often suffer from developmental trauma, including anxiety, depression, and academic struggles.
Our Time is a safe, non-judgmental space designed to support and empower families with managing the stress of supporting an incarcerated or recently released loved one by providing a supportive community to share experiences and provide vital emotional support, advocacy and resources that help loved ones navigate the complexities of the correctional and criminal legal systems to reduce stress, stigma and the trauma of separation.
Recommended reading: Both sides of the bars: How mass incarceration punishes families. Government survey results illuminate the broader consequences of locking up people with children.
Fearless Virtual Support Group for Georgians Impacted by the Sex Off***er Registry & Their Families. 3rd Thursday. 6:30pm EST. Zoom.
(Hosted by Restore Georgia)
If you or your loved one is impacted by Georgia's sex offense laws and in need of resources and a supportive community of others experiencing the same challenges of navigating reentry on the registry, please register to attend these free, virtual, safe and non-judgemental meetings. They are not recorded and law enforcement, prison & jail staff and POs are not allowed.
Additional Support For Families Outside of Georgia
Foreverfamily- An Atlanta based non-profit supporting and advocating for children of incarcerated parents with family-centered services, has a list of resources on their website to help with legal issues, child resources, Rehabilitation, education and employment, emergency assistance, shelter, housing and utilities and more that helps to support families of children with incarcerated parents. Click here to see their list of helpful resources.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM). Every month, FAMM holds FAMMily calls on Zoom. They range from Storytelling Workshops, to Advocacy Trainings, to Policy Updates (state and federal). These calls are open to all, and they are great way to learn about what FAMM is focused on, get to know their staff and each other, hone your advocacy skills and find and give support to each other. Links to register are sent via their emails so click here to sign up for FAMM's emails or follow their Facebook page for zoom links.
Prison Families Alliance (PFA): This organization offers a lifeline to adults and children affected by the criminal justice system. PFA provides programs, support groups and advocacy resources to help you navigate your new reality. They have an extensive list of resources on their website, including resources you can search by region, search by state or search nationally. PFA also offers weekly, in person (Las Vegas) support groups for families to share a meal, resources and to connect. If you are in Las Vegas, you can register for their in person families support group here.
Pennsylvania Prison Society: This organization provides assistance to incarcerated people and their families, work to ensure vital support networks are kept alive while someone is incarcerated, and provide a window into the closed world of prisons, exposing and addressing the most serious issues. Just as our support groups are virtual and open to others outside of Georgia, PPS also hosts virtual support groups for families every other Tuesday at 6:00 PM EST so if your loved one is incarcarcerated in Pennsylvania or you just need additonal support outside of our once a month meeting, register to get the zoom link at https://www.prisonsociety.org/services/family-support-groups