We are all excited to have you join our extended family. Check out our groups section and join as many that fit your needs and lifestyle. There are guidelines for posting to help you get acquainted with the ins-and-outs of SPWF. We are all here to encourage, uplift and help each other walk this path in life. Whether you are brand new to supporting an inmate or a veteran prison wife; you'll find value, resources and make new, lifelong friends on the site. If you ever have and trouble with the site or need help in general, feel free to contact Ro as well as any of the SPWF Volunteers (you can find them here). If you'd like to schedule a time to work with a volunteer one-on-one to help you learn to navigate the site, email us and we'll be happy to set up a meeting with you. We look forward to growing together. Thank you for choosing strongprisonwives.com.
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About The Co-Founders
Strong Prison Wives was Co-Founded by Annette Lewis & Ro Elizabeth in March, 2012. In late April of that year, Annette’s husband was awarded an early release. A talented artist and writer by trade, Annette provided many of the original graphics, the majority of the design of the first website and insightful, well-written blog posts (that still live on the site and offer encouragement to our members. In the time since her husband has been home, Annette became a mother to a "premie" baby. She was forced to quit her job to take care of her infant’s special needs. Her time and energy is now focused on being a wife, mother, building and running a design and photography business.
Ro’s other half is a federal inmate who is paying for his troubled youth by slowly chipping away at a 213 year mandatory minimum prison sentence. The laws were piled and stacked against him; costing them, their "normal" life. According to Ro, its "mind boggling, perplexing and unfair; yet its the cold, harsh reality of the still beautiful relationship we share." In a situation where most people would have become bitter, Ro uses her knowledge to help other women avoid the hardships she's faced as a prison wife. Her likable, compassionate personality; coupled with her knack for marketing, has allowed her to cultivate relationships with other prison wives and businesses in similar genres. One anonymous SPWF member says, "Prison wives look up to Ro, they trust and listen to her; they aspire to be like her." Ro has been called the “Joan of Arc of Prison Wives.”
Ro’s other half is a federal inmate who is paying for his troubled youth by slowly chipping away at a 213 year mandatory minimum prison sentence. The laws were piled and stacked against him; costing them, their "normal" life. According to Ro, its "mind boggling, perplexing and unfair; yet its the cold, harsh reality of the still beautiful relationship we share." In a situation where most people would have become bitter, Ro uses her knowledge to help other women avoid the hardships she's faced as a prison wife. Her likable, compassionate personality; coupled with her knack for marketing, has allowed her to cultivate relationships with other prison wives and businesses in similar genres. One anonymous SPWF member says, "Prison wives look up to Ro, they trust and listen to her; they aspire to be like her." Ro has been called the “Joan of Arc of Prison Wives.”
Our lives as a prison wives are not easy; in fact, they are probably the furthest thing from that. We sleep alone; spend holidays, birthdays and special occasions hundreds of miles from the men we love. We rely on a two hour email delay or sporadic fifteen minute phone calls to cram in everything we need to say. That includes a simple "I love you," which if you don't hear the warning "beeps," can easily get cut off. Every form of contact we share — phone calls, emails, visits, letters — is monitored. NOTHING we share is private, not even our single allotted hello & goodbye kiss. Yet, we still savor every moment we get to share with our loved one. I've been exposed to things that have given me nightmares and a genuine appreciation for my once sheltered life. I've met a cast of crazy -- and some frightening -- characters and hundreds of sweet, wonderful people along the way. There are so many things I’ve learned through my non-traditional life as a prison wife that I want to share with you. My love, optimism and support, in the form of this website, is my gift to you. -Ro Elizabeth, CEO SPWF
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Our Programs
Sister Sorority (Formerly Sister Support Network) - SPWF is overjoyed to announce to relaunch of our Sister Support Network (SSN). In this program, we will group 3-5 ladies together to form an intimate support group. The way this differs from the various means of communicating with members, is that matched sisters commit to communicating with one another at a minimum of once a week. This can be in the form of an email, mailed correspondence, an in person visit (if distance, finances and interest permits), a telephone call or any other form of communication you deem fit. Be creative! Be supportive! Anyone can request to join. Its free. Rolling enrollment.. Click here to enroll.
SPWF Mentoring Program - Experienced SPW members providing help & advice to less seasoned SPWF members with goal orientation in mind. Mentees may want to learn specific information, develop or refine a particular skill. Having a clear purpose in mind will help Mentors develop a specific mentoring plan that meets their Mentee's needs and expectations. SPWF mentors utilize "personal development mentoring" which focuses on growing in social or leadership skills, or in developing one's character.
Girls' Night In Parties (GNI) - "Girls Night In" is a monthly open discussion party. We hang out on this page the third Friday of every month at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Participants are encouraged to submit question and/or topic entries. GNI is a fun way to to relax, hang out and get to know fellow prison wives.
Life Class, Book Club - Book club to promote self help and self awareness. Personal introspection and self empowerment are the primary focus of this group. Members are encouraged to communicate and get to know one another on on a deep level. Book clubs run about 6 weeks, on average. Members post insights and updates daily and participate in a group conference call every two weeks throughout the duration of the book club.
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SPWF's Most Popular Groups
Prison Wives With Kids - As difficult as it is to be the spouse of an inmate, it will always be more difficult for our children. This is a group to discuss how to our help kids manage their emotions while their father's in prison. This is a place to discuss coping strategies, get advice from other mothers, give and get ideas on everything kid-friendly.
Just Arrested - Just arrested, preparing for trial and preparing for sentencing are all scary places to be. This group is a safe environment for members whose loved ones were just arrested to share feelings, gain support and encouragement and share knowledge. Members feel less alone as they are trying to regain control of their lives.
Encouragement Entourage - A place where we offer daily encouragement and support for anyone who is having serious problems, breakdowns etc. or just needs some help finding their smile.
After Incarceration - This group is to talk about any concerns about re-entry into the free world and the issues your loved one will face when leaving prison. There are going to be many obstacles and rejections built into this phase of your journey. We can give each other support and ideas to help in the transition for our loved ones.
Doing Federal Time - Support for any family members with a loved one in the federal prison system. The BOP is know to give out harsh sentences, so Fed Wives need as much love and support as we can get. It will help all of us having people that we can relate to, who share similar issues.
Health & Fitness - Whether you're looking to drop 1 pound or 100 pounds, the health & fitness group is a place where we share ideas, struggles, check ins, challenges and more. We help each other physically get to where we want to be before our men come home!!
Premium Members - A private forum for premium members to discuss anything they'd like, or video topics behind closed doors. Not a premium member? Join here and get access to our extensive library of videos.
Loving A Lifer - This group is for anyone whose loved one is serving a life sentence. Loved ones of those serving a life sentence have a unique journey with intricate and unexpected emotional hardships. This group is a special place to get support from other ladies who understand what it is like to not have a countdown and to be serving such a lengthy sentence with their loved one.
SPWF After Dark - A private group for prison wives and family members to discuss things of a sexual nature, sex 101 or anything else that is on our minds.
Met While Incarcerated (MWI) - Whether you met through a prison pen-pal ad, a friend, relative or cellmate; your relationship is just as beautiful as any one else's. This is a private support group for our SPWF MWI members.
Just Arrested - Just arrested, preparing for trial and preparing for sentencing are all scary places to be. This group is a safe environment for members whose loved ones were just arrested to share feelings, gain support and encouragement and share knowledge. Members feel less alone as they are trying to regain control of their lives.
Encouragement Entourage - A place where we offer daily encouragement and support for anyone who is having serious problems, breakdowns etc. or just needs some help finding their smile.
After Incarceration - This group is to talk about any concerns about re-entry into the free world and the issues your loved one will face when leaving prison. There are going to be many obstacles and rejections built into this phase of your journey. We can give each other support and ideas to help in the transition for our loved ones.
Doing Federal Time - Support for any family members with a loved one in the federal prison system. The BOP is know to give out harsh sentences, so Fed Wives need as much love and support as we can get. It will help all of us having people that we can relate to, who share similar issues.
Health & Fitness - Whether you're looking to drop 1 pound or 100 pounds, the health & fitness group is a place where we share ideas, struggles, check ins, challenges and more. We help each other physically get to where we want to be before our men come home!!
Premium Members - A private forum for premium members to discuss anything they'd like, or video topics behind closed doors. Not a premium member? Join here and get access to our extensive library of videos.
Loving A Lifer - This group is for anyone whose loved one is serving a life sentence. Loved ones of those serving a life sentence have a unique journey with intricate and unexpected emotional hardships. This group is a special place to get support from other ladies who understand what it is like to not have a countdown and to be serving such a lengthy sentence with their loved one.
SPWF After Dark - A private group for prison wives and family members to discuss things of a sexual nature, sex 101 or anything else that is on our minds.
Met While Incarcerated (MWI) - Whether you met through a prison pen-pal ad, a friend, relative or cellmate; your relationship is just as beautiful as any one else's. This is a private support group for our SPWF MWI members.
Comfort & Comfortability
"The main purpose of Strong Prison Wives & Families is to support one another during a very trying and difficult time. We are a community with one thing in common; an incarcerated loved one. Please know that there are people out there that have nothing better to do but join our site and cause drama. Our volunteer members remove 90% of the inappropriate posts before you see them. However; there will be times when we miss something that is posted. Like all of you, we have responsibilities other than monitoring this site. There will be times when things are posted; offensive things, disgusting things or things that can get us shut down. We work hard to make sure these types posts are removed immediately. We hope that each and every one of you loves and respects our community enough that you will report anything that you feel is inappropriate. If you are unsure, we ask that you please report it to a volunteer and let us handle it.
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This community is open to anyone with an incarcerated loved one. When new members join, help us welcome them and make them feel comfortable. There have been times where a new member joined and was bombarded with posts that left a negative reflection of our community on them, causing them to leave. We don't want that, we all know what it feels like to be completely alone and judged by others who are not in our situation. Its even more heartbreaking to feel judged by people who are walking the same path and are supposed to understand. We are like a family -- sisters on the same journey -- and we need to protect one another. Negativity towards others will not be tolerated and can lead to a permanent ban. Promoting of any kinds of illegal activities will not be tolerated at all and will lead to a permanent ban." JoJo, Volunteer
Helpful Prison & Legal Resources
Call & Communication Companies
Pigeonly - Send printed photos right from your phone or computer.
Jpay - Send money to your loved one in state prison. Email your cousin in county jail. Chat with a friend using video visitation or give the gift of music with the JP4® player.
GTL - Jail call services. No Contracts , Pay Monthly , Truly Unlimited , 1HR Activation , Easy Sign Up , Guaranteed Savings
Email to Inmates - Send mail to inmates using your personal email account. Fast, simple and stress free service helps you keep in touch with your loved one
Corrlinks - Email system used by the BOP (must be requested by inmate and put on an approved list)
Inmate Locators
FBOP Inmate Locator - Locate any federal inmate
Jail Guide - Free inmate search, prison directory and prison sentence calculator
County Jail Inmate Search - Find the jail, prison or inmate search you need. Quick and free inmate locator.
Email to Inmates (Send mail to inmates using your personal email account. Fast, simple and stress free service helps you keep in touch with your loved one.
Legal & ReEntry
Fair Shake - Re-entry resource center helping those out of prison get a second chance and a "fair shake."
Legal Aid - Google "Legal Aid in your city" for best results
The Innocence Project - The Innocence Project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice
Federal Bureau of Prisons - Information on federal facilities, visit information, rules and regulations for each federal facility found here.
FAMM - FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization fighting for smart sentencing laws that protect public safety
DOC - To find the Department of Corrections website for your state, Google "DOC and the name of your state" (Example: NJ DOC, Minnesota DOC)
Probation & Pretrial Service
The Constitution Project - TCP has forged a national reputation for its truly bipartisan approach to grappling with key constitutional issues confronting Americans in the 21st century.
United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) - Research, publications and news by the USSC
Start a Petition
Miscellaneous
Visit Lift - VisitLift easily connects you to a ride with someone that’s headed to the same visit as you.
Western Union - Send money directly to an inmate account.
Money Gramm - Send, receive money from an inmate. Pre paid cards.
Help Free Adam - Understanding the stacking of unfair, federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws
Prison Body Fitness - FREE yard, cell and hole workouts to print and send to your incarcerated loved one
Pigeonly - Send printed photos right from your phone or computer.
Jpay - Send money to your loved one in state prison. Email your cousin in county jail. Chat with a friend using video visitation or give the gift of music with the JP4® player.
GTL - Jail call services. No Contracts , Pay Monthly , Truly Unlimited , 1HR Activation , Easy Sign Up , Guaranteed Savings
Email to Inmates - Send mail to inmates using your personal email account. Fast, simple and stress free service helps you keep in touch with your loved one
Corrlinks - Email system used by the BOP (must be requested by inmate and put on an approved list)
Inmate Locators
FBOP Inmate Locator - Locate any federal inmate
Jail Guide - Free inmate search, prison directory and prison sentence calculator
County Jail Inmate Search - Find the jail, prison or inmate search you need. Quick and free inmate locator.
Email to Inmates (Send mail to inmates using your personal email account. Fast, simple and stress free service helps you keep in touch with your loved one.
Legal & ReEntry
Fair Shake - Re-entry resource center helping those out of prison get a second chance and a "fair shake."
Legal Aid - Google "Legal Aid in your city" for best results
The Innocence Project - The Innocence Project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice
Federal Bureau of Prisons - Information on federal facilities, visit information, rules and regulations for each federal facility found here.
FAMM - FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization fighting for smart sentencing laws that protect public safety
DOC - To find the Department of Corrections website for your state, Google "DOC and the name of your state" (Example: NJ DOC, Minnesota DOC)
Probation & Pretrial Service
The Constitution Project - TCP has forged a national reputation for its truly bipartisan approach to grappling with key constitutional issues confronting Americans in the 21st century.
United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) - Research, publications and news by the USSC
Start a Petition
Miscellaneous
Visit Lift - VisitLift easily connects you to a ride with someone that’s headed to the same visit as you.
Western Union - Send money directly to an inmate account.
Money Gramm - Send, receive money from an inmate. Pre paid cards.
Help Free Adam - Understanding the stacking of unfair, federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws
Prison Body Fitness - FREE yard, cell and hole workouts to print and send to your incarcerated loved one
Crisis Hotlines
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Veterans Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Trans Suicide Hotline: 877-565-8860
LGBT National Support Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Bullying Holtine: 1-800-420-1479
Self Harm Hotline: 1-800-344-HELP
Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-847-831-3438
Rage/Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Grief Support: 1-650-321-3438
Runaway Hotline: 1-800-843-5200 or 1-800-843-5678
Abuse Hotline: 1-800-767-3224
Veterans Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Trans Suicide Hotline: 877-565-8860
LGBT National Support Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Bullying Holtine: 1-800-420-1479
Self Harm Hotline: 1-800-344-HELP
Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-847-831-3438
Rage/Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Grief Support: 1-650-321-3438
Runaway Hotline: 1-800-843-5200 or 1-800-843-5678
Abuse Hotline: 1-800-767-3224