How to Cope When a Spouse is Incarcerated

1). Allow yourself to cry, scream or stay in bed for a couple days. Keeping emotions bottled up is unhealthy and can lead to emotional problems. Neglecting your feelings will only sabotage your coping skills.
2). Write or talk on the phone to your spouse. Letters and phone calls mean the world to you and your incarcerated spouse. Since contact is limited, both of you will be eager to take what you can get.
3). Visit your spouse as often as possible. Some inmates are housed hundreds of miles from home, and travel is often difficult for most families. Your spouse will understand this and appreciate weekly or monthly visits showing that you love and support him.
4). Make regular deposits to your spouse's inmate commissary account. This will give you reassurance that you can still take care of him.
5). Mail or take care packages to the prison for your spouse. T-shirts, socks, small radios, personal hygiene products and stationary are accepted by most United States prisons for inmate use.
6). Attend support group meetings for spouses of inmates. Most prisons offer information on these support groups, or you can find local groups online. Internet support groups do not hold face-to-face meetings, but provide continued support through email, and if you are comfortable, phone calls.
7). Keep busy with hobbies such as knitting or scrapbooking. This will help occupy your time so that the days do not seem so long.