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The Forgotten Ones: What Happens to Inmates Without Family Support?

Published on February 7, 2025, by InmateAid

Table of Contents

Introduction

For many incarcerated individuals, family support serves as a lifeline—offering financial assistance, emotional stability, and a connection to the outside world. But what happens to those who have no one on the outside? For inmates without family, life behind bars can be significantly harder, with fewer resources, fewer visits, and little to no support upon release. These forgotten individuals face unique challenges that can deeply impact their mental health, rehabilitation, and chances of reentering society successfully.

The Financial Struggles of Inmates Without Family Support

One of the biggest struggles for inmates without family is financial survival. Prison systems operate on a bare minimum model, providing only the most necessities—a bed, food, and access to medical care. However, things like hygiene products, additional food, stamps, phone calls, and writing materials often have to be purchased through the commissary.

Without family members to send money to their inmate accounts, these individuals must rely on prison jobs, which often pay pennies per hour. Some earn less than $10 per month, making it nearly impossible to afford basic hygiene items or phone calls.

The Emotional Toll of Isolation

Inmates with no family or friends on the outside often experience deep emotional isolation. Prison can be a mentally and emotionally taxing environment, and without letters, phone calls, or visits, many of these individuals withdraw even further.

Studies have shown that inmates who maintain relationships with people outside prison have lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Those without external support systems struggle more with their mental health, making them more vulnerable to conflicts, behavioral issues, and difficulties adjusting to prison life.

Who Helps Inmates with No Family?

Without family, inmates must rely on other sources for support. Some of the ways these individuals find help include:

  • Inmate Peer Support: Some inmates form friendships with others inside, creating a sort of prison family to help each other navigate the system.
  • Religious Groups & Volunteers: Many prisons allow faith-based groups and non-profits to provide mentorship, counseling, and basic necessities for inmates without family.
  • Indigent Inmate Programs: Some prisons have programs for indigent inmates, providing them with basic hygiene supplies, writing materials, and postage for a few letters per month.
  • Prison Libraries & Education Programs: For many inmates without outside support, prison libraries and educational programs offer an escape and a purpose, helping them stay engaged.

Reentry: What Happens After Release?

For inmates with no family, no home, and no financial resources, the challenges don’t end at release—they only get worse. Many walk out of prison with nothing but a bus ticket and the clothes on their back.

Without family or friends to help, they may struggle to find housing, employment, and basic necessities. Many end up homeless or reoffend simply to survive. Reentry programs and halfway houses provide some support, but resources are often limited, and space is not always available.

Breaking the Cycle: How Society Can Help

If society wants to reduce recidivism and help inmates reintegrate, more must be done for those without family support. Expanding access to reentry programs, job training, and mental health services can give these individuals a real second chance.

Nonprofits and volunteer organizations play a key role in bridging this gap by offering mentorship, housing assistance, and emotional support. Programs that pair inmates with pen pals, social workers, and mentors can help provide some level of connection, even for those without family.

 

FAQs: The Forgotten Ones – What Happens to Inmates Without Family Support?

  1. How do inmates without family get money for commissary?

    • Inmates without financial support from the family must rely on prison jobs, which often pay very little, or indigent inmate programs that provide necessities such as hygiene products, writing materials, and limited postage for letters.

  2. Can inmates without families still receive visits?

    • Yes, they can receive visits from approved friends, religious volunteers, or community organizations, but without family, they often receive fewer or no visits at all, leading to greater emotional isolation.

  3. Are there programs to help inmates with no outside support?

    • Some prisons have indigent inmate programs, and nonprofit organizations offer support through mentorship, religious services, or basic assistance programs for those without external financial or emotional support.

  4. Do inmates without families have a harder time getting parole?

    • Yes, parole boards often look at an inmate’s support system, and those without stable housing or community ties may have a harder time getting approved for parole.

  5. What happens when an inmate with no family is released?

    • Many leave prison with no money, housing, or job prospects, increasing their risk of homelessness or reoffending. Some transitional housing and reentry programs provide support, but resources are often limited.

  6. How does a lack of family support affect an inmate’s mental health?

    • Inmates without family support often experience greater depression, anxiety, and feelings of abandonment. Studies show that inmates with regular outside contact adjust better and have lower recidivism rates.

  7. Are there ways for people to help inmates who have no family?

    • Yes, organizations offer pen-pal programs, mentorship, and reentry assistance to help inmates build relationships and receive some level of emotional support and guidance.

  8. How do inmates without families survive in prison?

    • Many form friendships with fellow inmates, rely on prison chaplains or volunteers or find legal aid and educational programs to stay engaged and avoid complete isolation.

Conclusion: No One Should Be Forgotten

Inmates without families face some of the toughest challenges in prison and beyond. Without financial assistance, emotional support, or guidance after release, many are set up for failure before they even leave the system. While family is often the strongest support system, mentorship programs, community support, and rehabilitative efforts can provide a lifeline for those who have no one waiting for them on the outside.