Navigating the challenges of having an incarcerated loved one can be overwhelming. To support families during these times, several recent books and podcasts offer valuable insights, guidance, and comfort. Below is a curated list of must-reads and listens from mid-2024 to 2025.

📚 Books

1. “Dear Dad: Growing Up With a Dad in Prison and How We Stay Connected” by Jay Jay and Antoine Patton
   Release Date: September 17, 2024
   Overview: This graphic nonfiction work presents a father-daughter duo sharing their journey of maintaining a strong bond despite incarceration. It’s tailored for children aged 8-12, offering inspiration and solace. ndstatelibrary.wordpress.com
2. “Deuce’s First Step” by Louis L. Reed
   Release Date: December 2024
   Overview: Targeting the over 1 million children with incarcerated parents, this book provides guidance to help them navigate their journey with love, support, and resilience. kxan.com
3. “Con Sabor a Libertad: A Taste of Freedom” edited by Lucía Alvarado
   Release Date: November 2024
   Overview: This cookbook compiles recipes and stories from families of incarcerated individuals in Mexico, highlighting their resilience and the role of food in maintaining connections. eater.com
4. “The Sing Sing Files” by Dan Slepian
   Release Date: August 2024
   Overview: NBC’s Dateline producer Dan Slepian chronicles his two-decade journey investigating wrongful convictions, focusing on cases within the Sing Sing Correctional Facility. vanityfair.com
5. “Inmate Shopper 2024-2025” by Freebird Publishers
   Release Date: 2024
   Overview: A comprehensive resource guide offering information on services and organizations beneficial for prisoners and their families. amazon.com

🎧 Podcasts

1. “Prison: The Hidden Sentence Podcast“
   Overview: This podcast educates and empowers those with incarcerated loved ones, sharing stories to raise awareness and provide support.
2. “My Child Is In Prison, Now What? with Tiffany Nicole“
   Overview: Focusing on mothers with incarcerated children, this podcast offers a platform to share experiences, challenges, and strategies for coping and supporting one another. 
3. “The Locked Up Living Podcast“
   Overview: Hosted by forensic professionals, this podcast explores life in prisons, featuring stories from inmates, staff, and experts to provide a comprehensive view of the prison system. 
4. “The Kids of Rutherford County“
   Release Date: October 2023
   Overview: An investigative series delving into the juvenile arrest and incarceration scandal in Rutherford County, Tennessee, shedding light on systemic issues affecting families.
5. “Evolving Prisons“
   Overview: An award-nominated podcast featuring stories from former inmates, prison staff, and experts, discussing the complexities of the prison system and its impact on families. 
6. The Prison Wife Podcast A podcast where two prison wives, Gigi and Paige, share stories, struggles and triumphs