Five Tips for Coping with Grief and Incarceration this Holiday Season
Festive decorations. Homemade cookies. Stockings hung by the tree. But what about when one stocking is missing?
While the holidays are a time of merriment and joy, the season can also be filled with pain, especially for those with an imprisoned loved one. The grief of incarceration is sometimes less recognized compared to other losses, which can add an element of isolation and shame.
During this time of year, we at Chris Perri Law, a criminal defense law firm primarily focused on fighting wrongful convictions in Texas, often notice our clients and their families struggling more than usual. Our hearts go out to everyone who is missing someone they love.
Below are five suggestions on how to cope with the grief of incarceration and make the best of this holiday season.
1. Keep it real. Many people prefer to avoid complicated topics like incarceration and grief, but stuffing our feelings down doesn’t make them go away. Connecting with others who can accommodate the full complexity of your emotions is essential. These may be other families dealing with incarceration, a professional therapist, or just a tried-and-true friend who can listen with a nonjudgmental ear.
2. Plan an in-person visit or splurge on extra calls. Nothing replaces that connection of hearing a loved one’s voice and seeing their face. Think about what’s doable for you and your family and try to make it happen.
3. Lean on sports, movies, and books. While life in prison is certainly not easy, inmates can often watch sports in group areas, watch movies on iPads, and read books from the library. Learn what content your loved one is watching or reading, and try to watch or read it, too. This can offer a positive way to connect that transcends the sadness of the situation.
4. Exchange gifts. If you can, send extra money, photographs, or a care package to your incarcerated loved one. At the same time, let them know you’d like something from them, even if belated. It can be simple – a poem, drawing, special letter of memories, or curated book list recommendation. This may help your loved one feel valued and like they have something to contribute despite their circumstances.
5. Give yourself permission to feel joy. Many often feel guilty for experiencing any happiness when they know their friend or family member is behind bars. Remember, however, your loved one wants you to find peace and have holiday fun. This will help you replenish so that you can continue showing up for others.
The holiday season can be a time of joy—and a time of grief—especially for those separated from a loved one due to incarceration. We hope these suggestions can help friends and families stay connected, despite distance.
If you or someone you love believes their criminal conviction was wrongful, and they’d now like to challenge it in court, please know that we at Chris Perri Law are here to help. Based in Austin, our criminal defense firm handles post-conviction relief cases across the state of Texas. To schedule a free consultation with our lawyer, Chris Perri Law, please call us at (512)269-0260 or visit www.chrisperrilaw.com.
We at Chris Perri Law wish you and your family a holiday season full of peace, hope, and joy.