When Is It Okay to Send Prisoners Money?

When a person you love is in prison, it's sometimes difficult how to best help that prisoner. Let's be honest, a lot of us prisoners are locked up because of bad choices we made. For many, simply getting locked up does not stop the string of poor choices. Too often those choices continue in prison, even if in different ways. So, how can family and friends help incarcerated loved ones without enabling bad behavior? 

One of the biggest areas of question surrounds money. When is it okay to send prisoners money or food packages (in Michigan we use Access Securepak) without enabling behavior that is counterproductive to a prisoner's rehabilitation? I thought it might be helpful to know when making these decisions what prisoners need money for. 

Michigan (each state is different) issues prisoners clothing. This includes 3 pairs of socks, 9 underwear, 3 sets of blues, 2 t-shirts, one pair of "oxford" shoes, and a coat. Some prisoners purchase additional socks and t-shirts, and tennis shoes are a must for walking, running, or working out. Prisoners must also pay for over the counter medications, like Tylenol, allergy meds, acid reflux meds, and cough drops. Medical visits require a $5 co-pay, and prisoners must pay for glasses. 

Additionally, prisoners must purchase their own hygiene items, like soap, shampoo, toothpaste/brush, lotion, and deodorant, and pay for a TV, electric shavers (razors are not allowed), and trimmers, as well as batteries to operate them. A haircut, other than a buzz cut, requires payment, and legal photocopies and postage cost money. Envelopes, stamps, and writing pads/pens, Jpay stamps, or phone calls all cost money. Besides these necessities, prisoners also purchase coffee, snacks, and other food items from the prison store. These food items are often used as supplements to or replacements for the food served in the chow hall.

Most prisoners who have jobs (not all do) make around $15-30 per month. Prisoners earning a GED make around $9 per month. As you can tell, this money does not go very far. Prisoners who are blessed with support from the outside can live a little "nicer" in prison, but there are dangers to consider.

When your incarcerated loved one asks you to send money or securepaks to other prisoners (or their family), it's good to ask questions. This tactic is sometimes used to support a drug or gambling habit. It might also be used to pay someone who is extorting the prisoner to keep them "safe." We are in prison because of our crimes, so if your family is struggling financially, the prisoner should make sacrifices too. The best way to approach whether or not to send your incarcerated loved one money is to communicate with them. Ask why it's needed or how it will be used. Offer to put money on the phone so he doesn't have to pay for that. If your gut tells you something is wrong, listen to your gut. 

Sending your imprisoned loved one money or gifts should be a blessing, not something you should have to worry about. So, use this as an opportunity to ask questions, encourage good behavior, and to deepen your relationship. 

To send Michigan prisoners money or add money to your phone account, visit www.connectnetwork.com. To send quarterly food/hygiene packages (great for prisoners with restitution debt), visit www.michiganpackages.com.