PELIPOST | THE OFFICIAL BLOG

More than just a greeting card: delivering hope in prison

‍

The sound echoes through the halls: "Mail call." Hearts lift. Faces brighten. For your loved one, these two words represent connection, hope, and the reminder that love transcends walls.

You have more power than you realize. With a simple greeting card, you can deliver hope, strengthen bonds, and genuinely improve your loved one's life behind bars. Research shows that the families who stay connected – through cards, letters, calls, and visits – make an incredible difference in their loved one's wellbeing and future success.

‍

‍

Your Connection Creates Real Change

"When you're in prison, all you have is time," explains Becky Calderon, Pelipost's Co-Founder and COO, who lived this experience herself. "There was one thing that kept us all rooted in hope for the future: mail call. We would live for mail call. This is how we remained connected and informed with the world outside of our cell."

That card you send doesn't just brighten a day – it creates lasting positive change. Studies consistently show that people who maintain strong family connections during incarceration have significantly better outcomes, from improved mental health to successful reintegration into their communities.

‍

The Research Shows Your Love Works

The evidence is clear and encouraging: your connection makes a measurable difference.

Family Contact Transforms Lives: Research with incarcerated women found that those who maintained regular family contact were significantly less likely to return to prison within five years of release. Your consistent support directly contributes to your loved one's long-term success.

Mail Bridges Every Gap: Studies show that mail is often the most accessible and meaningful form of contact for incarcerated individuals. Unlike costly phone calls or challenging visits, your greeting card can reach your loved one anywhere, anytime – and they can read it over and over again.

Hope Heals: When researchers studied the impact of family connection, they found that people who maintained strong relationships during incarceration were more likely to find employment after release and less likely to struggle with substance use. Your love literally helps build their future.

What Your Greeting Card Actually Delivers

Proof You're Still Their Person

Every card that arrives at mail call is proof that someone on the outside still cares, still thinks about them, still sees their worth.

Strength Through Connection

Research shows that people with strong family support during incarceration develop better coping strategies and resilience. Your card becomes part of their support system.

Hope for Tomorrow

Studies comparing people who maintained family connections with those who didn't show that your ongoing support significantly improves their chances of successful reintegration. You're literally helping build their future.

Mental and Emotional Wellness

Regular contact from family provides crucial mental stimulation and emotional support. Your card becomes a bright spot in their routine and a source of ongoing comfort.

‍

Why Pelipost Makes It Easy to Make a Difference

Founded by people who understand this journey intimately, Pelipost removes every barrier between your love and your loved one:

Designed with Facilities in Mind: Our cards meet most facility requirements and are printed on glossy photo paper instead of cardstock. Don't forget to look up your loved one's specific guidelines to make sure cards are accepted at their facility.

Deeply Personal: Upload family photos, children's artwork, or favorite memories directly to your card. Research shows personalized contact has the strongest positive impact.

Simple but Meaningful: Choose your message, customize your design, and add those little touches that mean everything. We handle printing and delivery so you can focus on what matters most.

Built from Experience: We know this journey because we've lived it. Every feature of our service is designed with real families and real experiences in mind.

The Beautiful Ripple Effect

Here's something hopeful to remember: recent data shows that people are more successful than ever after release. Three-year return rates have dropped significantly, from about 50% to 39% in recent years. The families who stay connected – like you – are part of this positive change.

Your greeting card contributes to a larger story of hope, resilience, and second chances. Every card sent strengthens the bond that research shows is crucial for successful reintegration and long-term wellbeing.

Small Actions, Powerful Impact

The most beautiful part? You don't need to do anything complicated or expensive to make a profound difference. A simple greeting card, sent with love and consistency, has the power to:

• Brighten countless difficult days
• Provide ongoing emotional support
• Strengthen the relationship that will matter most upon release
• Contribute to better long-term outcomes
• Show your loved one they're valued and remembered

Your Love Story Continues

Distance doesn't diminish love – it just changes how we express it. Your greeting card becomes a chapter in your ongoing love story, proof that some bonds can't be broken by walls or circumstances.

Every card sent through Greetings by Pelipost carries the power of connection – designed by people who believe in the strength of families and the importance of never giving up on the people we love.

Because love finds a way, and sometimes that way is through a card that says "I'm still here, I still care, and I'm not going anywhere."

Ready to send love? Visit Greetings by Pelipost today and remind your loved one that they're thought of, cared for, and never forgotten. Because the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up – one card at a time.

‍

‍

Sources

Positive Outcomes of Family Contact:

• Barrick, K., Lattimore, P. K., & Visher, C. A. "Reentering Women: The Impact of Social Ties on Long-Term Recidivism." The Prison Journal, 2014. High-risk incarcerated women with more frequent family contact during incarceration had reduced likelihood of reincarceration within five years.
• Prison Policy Initiative. "Research roundup: The positive impacts of family contact for incarcerated people and their families." December 2021. Family contact reduces likelihood of recidivism; consistent contact linked to best outcomes.
• U.S. Department of Justice Archives. "Prison Reform: Reducing Recidivism." Close and positive family relationships during incarceration improve likelihood of post-release employment and successful reintegration.

Benefits of Mail and Written Contact:

• Prison Legal News. "Lowering Recidivism through Family Communication." April 2014. Studies show maintaining family ties during incarceration through letters and visits reduces recidivism rates.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Behind Bars but Connected to Family." Mail contact during incarceration positively impacts post-release experiences and family relationships.

Encouraging Trends:

• Council on Criminal Justice. "New National Recidivism Report." September 2024. Three-year prison return rate improved significantly, falling from about 50% to 39% between 2005 and 2012 releases.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics. "Recidivism and Reentry." 95% of people currently incarcerated will return to their communities, with family support being a key factor in successful reintegration.