Recommended resources

Send real printed postcards and photos to someone in jail or prison straight from your phone. A quick way to show you're thinking of them.

flikshop.com

Send photos, letters and cards to an incarcerated loved one, and find lower-cost ways to stay connected by phone.

pigeonly.com

Send money, emails and video visits to people in facilities that use JPay. Check the facility list to see if your loved one's prison is covered.

jpay.com

Messaging, video visits and account deposits for jails and prisons served by ViaPath (formerly GTL).

gettingout.com

Order approved care packages of food, clothing and hygiene items that ship directly to many prisons. Each facility has its own catalog.

accesscatalog.com

A volunteer group that mails free books to people in prison who write in and request them. You can donate books or money, or volunteer.

booksthroughbars.org

Free programs for incarcerated writers, including an annual writing contest and one-on-one mentoring by volunteer writers.

pen.org

Nonprofit news about the criminal justice system. It also prints a publication, News Inside, that is distributed in prisons and jails.

themarshallproject.org

Type in a ZIP code to find free or reduced-cost food, housing, medical care, job training and other services nearby.

findhelp.org

Free, beginner-friendly lessons on computers, email, smartphones, job searching and money skills. Great after years away from technology.

learnfree.org

Free online tests of basic computer skills like email, internet use and Microsoft Word, so you know what to practice before job hunting.

digitalliteracyassessment.org

Free courses in math, reading, science and more, at your own pace. Useful for brushing up before a GED or college classes.

khanacademy.org

Online certificate programs in IT support, data analytics, project management and more, built for entry-level jobs. Financial aid is available.

grow.google

The official site for free credit reports from all three credit bureaus. Check for errors or accounts someone opened in your name while you were away.

annualcreditreport.com

Find low-cost bank accounts with no overdraft fees that meet the Bank On national standards. A safe first account after release.

joinbankon.org

Find low-cost home internet plans and affordable computers in your area, so you can job hunt and stay in touch online.

everyoneon.org