How do you survive mentally without feeling caved in? Like the walls are caving in. How do you survive the same routine. Everyday.

This is the struggle that every inmate faces every day of incarceration. Inmate's toughest time is the first six months of being locked-up. The adjustment of being told what to do, when to do it and where to be at certain times are not easy to adjust to. One of the main reasons that InmateAid was created it to allow the people on the outside to help their loved ones on the inside. Getting into a suitable routine is the key to surviving mentally. The routine on the outside consists of our job, our family obligations and spiritual enrichment. Inmates have to find a balance of some of what we do on the outside, on the inside. Routines can be sometimes boring and unexciting anywhere, it is about making what is available work for them. There is a lot to do in prison and inmates find ways to keep busy. The key is to have FOCUS on goals and objectives that are important to them. A lot of it is up to you to help them achieve these goals with your support - however you're able to do it. Be a part of the process. Reading is a key element for an inmate to remain fresh and focused for the long stretch ahead. We suggest magazine subscriptions in the areas of their interest. Maybe reading books wasn't a big thing for them to do on the outside but it is a real "escape" on the inside. It becomes an element of reaching new heights of interest and exploration with words. It is so important for you to help with this as they will fade in and out in your relationship feeling like you are not going to ride this out with them. If you can keep connected, talk on the telephone, send them recent photos of yourself and the family events, magazines and books the time will fly and they will come out better than they went in.