Supporting Incarcerated Individuals during COVID-19

Written by, Grace Baehren

With the spread of COVID-19, many of us are experiencing increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty. Unfortunately for individuals who are currently incarcerated, these feelings are amplified as necessary preventative measures intensify isolation, increase uncertainty, and put new financial strains on friends and family members. 

At Free to Thrive, our Criminal Justice Program conducts outreach and provides client services to the local women's detention facility in San Diego County through a mobile legal clinic. Human trafficking victims are often forced by their traffickers to commit crimes. Additionally, some of the same things that make a person vulnerable to trafficking also make them vulnerable to engaging in criminal activity - such as drug addiction and poverty. Thus, we meet many new clients, survivors of human trafficking, through this legal clinic. In fact, around 25% of Free to Thrive's clients meet with us for the first time in jail.

Under normal circumstances, I am at the local facility once or twice a week, screening potential new clients for services and meeting with existing clients. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I am currently unable to conduct in-person visits. During this time, we are supporting our incarcerated clients in new ways and approaching our services with an understanding that this time brings unique challenges to all incarcerated individuals. 

Intensified Isolation

Incarceration creates social isolation by its very nature. People are physically separated from their family, friends, and existing support systems, and are restricted to a confined space. Often, incarcerated individuals find themselves confined to a small cell or dormitory for extended periods. Nevertheless, incarcerated individuals often have the opportunity to see family and friends through in-person social visits, and to participate in prison "programming". "Programming" is generally a series of classes meant to help rehabilitate individuals, develop skills, and prepare them for success upon release. Incarcerated individuals can get their GED, take college courses for credit, take parenting classes, learn new life skills, and much more. These programs often rely on outside individuals, not employed by the detention facility, to come in and lead the programs/classes. 

Unfortunately, the precautions necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19 have severely limited the ability of incarcerated individuals to connect with friends and family and to participate in programs designed to help them in their transition back into society. Some of the precautions we've seen enacted recently include: eliminating in-person social visits, stopping regular programming, and increased "lock-down" periods, where individuals are not able to leave their cell or dormitory. 

Additionally, as society responds to COVID-19, the economy has taken a hit with more than 16 million filing for unemployment in the last three weeks. This means that many of the family members and friends of incarcerated individuals may not have the financial resources to spend on phone calls or video-visits. These calls usually charge by the minute and can be very expensive. Some facilities and communications providers have allowed for a certain number of free phone minutes amidst the COVID-19 crisis; however, these allowances are limited. The Prison Policy Initiative has prepared a great sample letter that advocates can send to their local detention facilities to demand free phone and video calls, available here. 

Supporting Incarcerated Individuals 

So what can we do during this time to support incarcerated individuals, whether they are family, friends, or clients? Carmen Garcia, Deputy Director of Operations at Root & Rebound, recently highlighted during a community forum that one of the simplest ways to support incarcerated individuals right now is to send them handwritten letters. (Recorded Root & Rebound Community Forums and information to join future community forums are available on their website here).

This point from Carmen made me think of one of my good friends who I've known for many years. Whenever she travels, my friend sends postcards to her friends and family. When I open my mailbox and find a postcard from her, I immediately smile and am touched that she thought of me. I keep the postcards as they are a happy reminder of our friendship. 

Likewise, sending a letter or card to an incarcerated individual is a concrete way to show that you are thinking of them and that you care about them. Physical mail also provides the added benefit of longevity; just as I hold onto my postcards, incarcerated individuals can keep your letter and read it multiple times. Every time they see the letter, it will be a reminder that someone reached out. 

Additionally, the cost of a letter is substantially less than a video or telephone visit. Phone calls and video visits are great as your loved one can hear your voice or see your face; however, these are financially challenging times for many Americans. Sending a letter can be a heartfelt and affordable way to be there for your loved ones or clients. As service providers - a short note can be a quick way to support clients' well-being and to make clients aware of what services are available to them. 

If you are short on stamps or envelopes, look to see if the detention facility where your loved one or client is located has an email service. In our work, I frequently send emails to incarcerated individuals in jail to provide them with information and resources. These emails are filtered through the Sheriff department, are printed off the following day, and individuals are given a paper copy of the message. The cost of sending emails vary by facility, with some services being free and others requiring the purchase of electronic "stamps."  

It is important to note, however, that emails, phone calls, and video visits with inmates are not confidential, so if your client or loved one has an open criminal case, do not discuss anything related to the case with them. Instead, use these communications as an opportunity to provide emotional support through this difficult time.

I continue to send emails to clients for timely communication in addition to writing physical letters as a way to personally reach out to our clients and remind them that our organization is here for them during this challenging time.

Grace Baehren is a staff attorney and criminal justice program coordinator at Free to Thrive, a nonprofit organization that provides legal services and connections to other supportive services to human trafficking survivors.