Prisoners' Family Support
Maintaining family ties, alleviating burdens, and holding the prison system accountable.
Our Mission
We serve families with incarcerated loved ones through two interconnected paths: direct support and systemic advocacy.
Direct Family Support
- Childcare for working parents
- Financial subsidies for families in need
- Food programs and grocery assistance
- Educational scholarships for children
- Vocational training for family members
Advocacy & Accountability
- Gather complaints from prisoners (via family communication)
- Submit verified complaints to Dialogue Committee
- Help mobilize protests, rallies, and demands for reform
Family Ties First
We believe maintaining the bond between incarcerated individuals and their families is critical for rehabilitation, child development, and community healing.
Every complaint we receive about prison conditions—medical neglect, staff abuse, mail interference, visitation denial—is documented and forwarded to the Dialogue Committee for investigation and confrontation with the Department of Corrections.
Committee Structure
8 members (7 if combining Secretary & Complaint Intake)
| Position | # | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | 1 | Leads meetings, coordinates with Dialogue Committee, signs reports |
| Vice-Chair | 1 | Handles urgent family needs, backfills Chair |
| Advisor (formerly incarcerated/family member) | 1 | Provides guidance on prison system realities, ensures complaint credibility |
| 1 | Documents complaints, maintains confidential files, writes leadership reports | |
| Treasurer | 1 | Manages financial subsidies, childcare, and food program budgets |
| 1 | Runs childcare program, food distribution, financial aid requests | |
| 1 | Manages scholarships, tutoring, vocational training for families | |
| Complaint Intake Officer | 1 | Receives and logs complaints from families, verifies prisoner info, forwards to Dialogue Committee |
Total = 8 members. For a 7-member model, combine Secretary & Complaint Intake Officer. For a 5-member model, combine Secretary/Intake and Treasurer/Family Support.
Reporting a Prison Complaint
Families can submit complaints about prison conditions. The committee verifies and forwards to Dialogue Committee for investigation.
Prisoner Complaint Intake Form (Sample)
Forms are available online and at chapter meetings. All information is kept confidential.
How Advocacy Works
Family Submits Complaint
About prison conditions, medical neglect, staff abuse, etc.
Committee Reviews & Forwards
Complaint Intake Officer verifies and sends to Dialogue Committee
Dialogue Investigates & Confronts
Confronts DOC/facility, demands cease & desist
Leadership + Members Decide
This committee provides suggestions; membership reaches consensus
Dialogue Executes Final Decision
If demands not met → mobilize entire organization for protest, rally, demand firings
Sample Committee Report to Leadership
To: Local Chapter Leadership
From: Prisoners' Family Support Committee, [City Name]
Re: Complaint #2026-012 – [Facility Name] – Medical Neglect
Date: May 2, 2026
Complaint Summary (from family member):
Prisoner [Name] at [Facility] has not received prescribed medication for 14 days. Family notified committee on [date]. Prisoner has filed a grievance but received no response.
Committee's Assessment:
Complaint appears credible. Facility has history of similar complaints (see attached file).
Committee's Suggestions for Membership Vote:
- ✅ Dialogue Committee investigates & confronts facility immediately
- ✅ Demand immediate medication + written explanation within 48 hours
- ✅ If not resolved in 7 days → public protest at facility
- ⚠️ If pattern continues across multiple prisoners → mobilize organization for rally at DOC headquarters
- ❌ Lawsuit for medical negligence – not yet, gather more evidence first
Committee's Final Suggestion:
Authorize Dialogue Committee to confront facility with demand for immediate medication and a written corrective action plan. If not resolved within 7 days, authorize a protest at the facility entrance.
Submitted by: Prisoners' Family Support Committee Chair, [Name]
Direct Family Support Programs
Childcare
Vetted providers, after-school programs, and emergency care for working parents.
Financial Subsidies
Emergency assistance for rent, utilities, phone calls, and transportation to visit facilities.
Food Programs
Weekly grocery support, holiday meals, and partnerships with local food banks.
Education & Training
Scholarships for children, tutoring, GED support, and vocational training for family members.
Get Support or Get Involved
If you have a loved one incarcerated, we are here to help. If you want to serve families, join this committee.