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Continue reading →: 💞 How We Keep the Spark Alive (Even From Prison)People ask all the time how we keep our marriage alive — how we stay close, how we stay connected, how we stay us. The truth is, there’s no secret formula. There’s no perfect script or guide for loving someone through incarceration. What we have isn’t cinematic or easy or romanticized.…
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Continue reading →: Honoring Service, Recognizing Struggle: How to Support Incarcerated VeteransOn this Veterans Day, we salute the brave men and women who answered the call. But service doesn’t always end when the uniform comes off — and for thousands of veterans, the journey is far more complicated than most realize. Here are key statistics that deserve our attention: These numbers…
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Continue reading →: Tiny Thanks: 30 One Sentence Gratitude Prompts for Letters
Research shows that expressing gratitude activates reward centers in the brain and boosts emotional well-being. This Thanksgiving season, taking even a moment to say “thanks” can help keep connections strong and spirits up. Writing a letter to a loved one in prison? Try adding one of these simple, one-sentence thank-you…
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Continue reading →: The Real Barriers: Challenges Incarcerated People Face That the Public Doesn’t See
Life behind bars is hard in ways most outsiders never imagine. Survey data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and prison research highlights hidden obstacles that go far beyond what we see on TV. Consider just a few systemic barriers incarcerated people regularly encounter: The public rarely sees these daily struggles… …
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Continue reading →: Visitation Diaries: How to Turn Each Visit into a Living Memory
Visiting a loved one in prison can feel overwhelming, but research shows that every visit truly matters. People who receive no visitors during incarceration are six times more likely to return to prison than those with multiple visitors. Even one visit makes a difference: studies find each extra visit lowers the odds of reoffending…
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Continue reading →: The Real Monsters: A Halloween Look at Systemic Issues That Haunt Prison FamiliesIn October’s flickering lantern light, we tell tales of spooky ghouls and things that go bump in the night. Yet some of the scariest monsters are real—and they lurk in our justice system. For many families with someone behind bars, the true horrors aren’t pretend: endless waits for parole, life-threatening…
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Continue reading →: Spooky but Sweet: How to Write a Halloween Love Letter with a TwistPumpkins on porches, candy corn in every store aisle, and costumes around the corner — Halloween is one of those holidays that mixes silly fun with just the right amount of spooky. For couples separated by incarceration, it can also be a chance to write something playful, creative, and full…
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Continue reading →: Intro to Data Literacy: How to Read Stats About Prison PopulationsNumbers shape how we talk about prisons. Lawmakers cite them to justify budgets. Journalists use them to explain trends. Advocacy groups rely on them to push for reform. But if you’ve ever read a headline about recidivism rates or incarceration per capita and felt confused, you’re not alone. This post…
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Continue reading →: The Quiet Season: What Autumn Teaches Us About Long-Term Waiting
There’s something about autumn that makes the world feel slower. The days shorten, the air sharpens, and trees begin their graceful surrender. Leaves don’t fall all at once; they let go quietly, one by one, until the branches stand bare against the coming winter. For those of us living in…
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Continue reading →: Prison Phone Data 101: Why Communication Shouldn’t Be This ExpensiveFor families with a loved one behind bars, a phone call is a lifeline – but one that often comes at a crushing cost. Advocacy groups report that even a 15-minute jail call can run $10 or more. A report by the Vera Institute found that a 15-minute call could…
Welcome!
This is Chapters and Chains
Welcome to Chapters and Chains – I created this site for those looking for a way to connect with a loved one who is incarcerated and who are navigating the complex correctional systems across the United States.
Find out more about us in this LWW Podcast .
Here you will find ways to connect through reading and books with your loved one, information on how to put parole packets together, resources for reintegration and helpful planning documents. All resources are and will always be free or low-cost.
However, if you would like to say “Thank you!” you can donate below or at $ChaptersNChains
You can also purchase “Beyond the Walls: A Couples Communication Guidebook” that helps fund this site and the work that we do!
Chapters and Chains 