familylifebehindbars

Advice to help ill relative in prison

This weeks column focuses on what to do if a loved one is dying in prison. I have provided some resources regarding medical release and grief counseling for families facing this sad situation.

Mother of imprisoned son making documentary

My plan is to screen "Solutionz" in prisons so that currently incarcerated parents can be more aware of (and thus more prepared for) the emotional and physical status of their children.

A coping mechanism

Alison Coleman struggled to support her two children while her husband served a 25-years to life sentence in a New York state prison for robbery.She grappled with social and emotional isolation, with illness and financial hardship, and she faced the tensions at home that are common between parents and teenagers…but she did so single handedly.While statistics and political attitudes about incarceration rates in America are closely tracked, the human stories of prisoner families—like Ms. Coleman...

Makeba: Getting a constructive education in prison

Makeba: Getting a constructive education in prison

Sweet Miracle

Hector Martinez was released this March and reunited with his family, including wife Dulce of 30 years. But coming back into the world after a 25-year absence, especially during a recession, is far from easy.

Picking up the pieces after 25 years in prison

Hector Martinez picks up the pieces after many years in prison Twenty five years in prison gives a man time to think. And that’s what Hector Martinez, 55, did after being convicted of second-degree murder, robbery and arson in 1984. He thought about the day when he made his way to a drug house in Sunset Park to buy some heroin, the blaze that he was accused of starting and the chaos that ensued.

Wife discusses how she struggled while husband w...

When Alison Coleman's husband, Jay, was arrested for petty theft, he received a 25-year sentence--the minimumfor anyone arrested a third time inNew York under the Rockefeller Laws.In this segment, Alison describeshow she met Jay, how she reactedat his sentencing, and how shestruggled to raise their specialneeds child during his incarceration.

Jay Coleman's emotions as he was reunited with f...

Jay Coleman's emotions as he was reunited with family after 25 years in prison

Makeba: Family Reunification

Visit www.familylifebehindbars.org for more info.This week’s column focuses on the issue of reunification. Getting reacquainted with a parent can be daunting at any age. Add the pressure and stigma of a reunion post incarceration, and the effects can be overwhelming and particularly stressful. These tips can hopefully start someone facing this situation on the path to a healthy relationship. If you are a child of someone who is incarcerated and you have a question for me, you have three option...

Chris Tan Advocates For Children