Incarcerated Parents Rely on Faith, Churches for Family Support

Reentry into society after incarceration presents severe mental health challenges, largely due to unresolved trauma, isolation, and lack of support, as described by formerly incarcerated individuals like Trina Seldon and Dewand Sutton, who emphasize the emotional toll of separation from family and the need to mask vulnerability for survival. These experiences highlight the critical gap in mental health resources during and after incarceration, which exacerbates feelings of fear, loneliness, and stigma. For some, faith and community support, such as that offered by prison ministries like Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, provide vital hope and assistance, enabling formerly incarcerated parents to maintain connections with their children and receive help in their reintegration journey. The narratives underscore the importance of empathy, compassion, and structured support systems to address the psychological impact of incarceration and facilitate successful reentry. Overall, the stories reveal that surviving prison is not only about physical endurance but also about confronting and healing deep emotional wounds with external support and inner faith.