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Take care of YOU first
Let’s talk self-care. This is something many of us struggle to prioritize, especially people pleasers and natural-born caregivers. We want to help others succeed. We…
Positive thoughts are everything… A mindset shift is in the cards!
A positive mindset can make all the difference. In fact, it’s been shown to reduce the risk of various health problems and improve longevity! This…
4 quick tips for improving communication
Ineffective communication can lead to a number of problems. It can break relationships, hurt our chances of getting hired, and even get us fired. Good…
6 simple tips for boosting your confidence
There’s a balance between being insecure and arrogant. That happy medium is where confidence lies. You don’t want to think negatively of yourself, but you…
Get motivated and get what you want out of life
Everyone has goals they want to achieve. But not everyone achieves them. It can be a struggle to get and stay motivated. A great example…
Topics to discuss with your loved one in prison
Whether you’re going to visit your loved one in prison or you’re writing a letter, it can sometimes feel daunting when you consider what to…
Where to find hope when things seem bleak
There are times when you’re going to feel down if you have a loved one in prison. But please don’t lose hope. When times get…
How to help your loved one make it in prison
Prison life can be terrifying, especially for people who are new to it. There are a lot of rules (many unwritten) that a person should…
Gaining perspective: what it’s like for someone who’s released from prison
There are many that struggle to understand the complexity of being released from prison. If you’ve never been in prison or know someone who has,…
Why you should join a support group when your loved one is in prison
If you’re going through a tough time, then you’ve undoubtedly heard the tip “join a support group” or “find support.” This isn’t just something people…
It’s time for criminal justice reform
I will never forget when I heard the words “Mom, I’ve been arrested!” It forever changed my life. In August 2012, I learned that my…
When your adult child goes to prison
Learning your adult child is going to prison is devastating. You think of the child you raised and the many special memories you’ve shared. You…
What your loved one should know about reentry
Your loved one is very excited to be released from prison. And why wouldn’t they be? Incarcerated life is rough. Upon release, they get to…
Things to be aware of before your loved one is released from prison
There are several things you should be aware of when a loved one released from prison. That’s why I’ve written numerous blogs on the subject.…
Life sentence – What does it actually mean?
When you hear the term life sentence, you may assume it means the person has to spend their life in prison. And, while this is…
Things to do when you’re feeling down
If you have a loved one in prison, it’s normal to feel down at times. It’s tough not being able to see your loved one…
What you should know before your prison visit
Visiting an inmate is more complicated than just arriving and getting in line. You need to know all the particulars to ensure that you can…
How to prepare your loved one for reentry
You and your loved one are eagerly waiting for the day that they’ll be free. As much as you both hope and wish for that…
Tips to help prisoners deal with stigma upon reentry
When a person is released from prison, they often deal with the stigma of having a criminal past. It’s an unfortunate reality. Because of this…
Working through the new reality of a loved one in prison
Was your loved one recently imprisoned? If so, there are probably lots of emotions running through you right now. You may be angry at the…
Gifts you can give incarcerated loved ones all year long
The holiday season may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean we need to stop giving gifts. Throughout the year, we can be…
Some quick tips for writing letters to an incarcerated loved one
Writing letters is one of the simple things you can do to help your incarcerated loved one. We’ve talked a little bit about this in…
Tips for raising a child with an incarcerated parent
If you’re raising or helping raise a child who has an incarcerated parent, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. The child will…
Tips for staying in recovery during reentry
Reentry is tough enough without throwing in addiction. When a person reenters society they have to adapt to living on the outside and new norms.…
How can a marriage survive when your spouse is incarcerated?
Marriages are hard enough. Add incarceration into the mix, and they’re even harder. People already have numerous struggles to deal with in marriage without having…
Tips to help your loved one deal with prison life
If your loved one is new to prison life, it will take some adjusting. It’s not easy. It’s a huge change. To live, as well…
Tips for celebrating the holidays when your loved one is incarcerated
The holiday season is here. While this can be a special time of year for many, it can also be a trying time for those…
Fight depression with these mood boosting tips
In my last blog, I discussed how to cope with a loved one being incarcerated. You could be feeling various emotions, including stress, anger or…
How to manage life when a loved one is in prison
When a loved one goes to prison, it’s hard on them and you. Both parties are losing something and will most likely go through the…
Things you should know before your loved one reenters society
Reentering society after prison is tough. Depending on how long the person has been locked up, the world they reenter may be a lot different…
Tips for assisting a loved one in prison
It’s never easy to see a family member or friend behind bars. You may feel helpless at times, not sure what you can do to…
A virtual community to help families with incarcerated loved ones
When you’re going through a difficult time, it can feel isolating. That’s when it’s most important to find a community you can be a part…
Why is prison reform necessary?
We have a major problem in our justice system when it comes to imprisonment. Our current system isn’t set up in a way to reduce…
How is COVID-19 affecting incarcerated individuals?
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we want to take a look inside prisons and jails across America. There are a number of organizations and government…
Take time to forgive yourself
You’ve probably heard numerous discussions on the importance of forgiving others. But, what is often neglected in these conversations is the need to forgive yourself.…
Got empathy?
When you see someone around you in pain or suffering, you probably have the urge to console them. However, there’s a difference between sympathy, empathy…
Letters to prisoners offer hope
Being in prison isn’t easy. So many of a person’s natural freedoms are stripped away. Many inmates struggle with feelings of guilt and shame. Some…
Tips to help your incarcerated child get a better night’s rest
If your child is incarcerated, it’s normal to feel helpless. You want to do everything you can to make the situation easier, but it isn’t…
11 Quotes to help you hold onto hope
Hope can be hard to find when we’re going through dark times. But, no matter what we’re facing, hope can be found if we look…
A big THANK YOU to all of the healthcare workers
We’ve all been going through difficult times with the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve had to social distance from our loved ones and many of us are…
How to reduce anxiety during the pandemic
During this time of uncertainty, many people are experiencing high levels of anxiety. It’s stressful not knowing what the future holds for us or where…
Working through the emotions of seeing a loved one imprisoned
When you have a loved one in prison, it’s incredibly important to show them support. The situation is difficult. They’re probably dealing with feelings of…
Moving Past Feelings of Guilt and Shame
Living with feelings of guilt and/or shame is not uncommon. However, it’s also not healthy. If you’re someone living with these feelings, you may already…
Finding Hope and Positivity In Reentry
Many people who are incarcerated look anxiously toward the day they can be released. Long days in prison can quickly wear on a person’s well…
Choosing Empathy Over Judgment
Choosing Empathy Over Judgement Many people are quick to come to conclusions about others based on outside appearances. They pass judgments strictly on how a…
What Does Empathy Look Like?
What Does Empathy Look Like? We know what a lack of empathy looks like. The news is often filled with unfortunate stories that show what…
Life After Imprisonment: A Real Live Look At Moving Forward
Life after imprisonment: A real live look at moving forward
How To Support A Child Of An Incarcerated Parent
It’s hard to deal with the news that your loved one is incarcerated. You need time to work through it and it can be a…
The Importance Of Seeing Beyond The Action
“The importance of seeing beyond the action” is a wonderful blog post about compassion, empathy and incarceration by Monalisa Johnson for Prisoner Of Hope TV.
Steps you can take to show your loved one support while they’re in prison
Steps you can take to show your loved one support while they’re in prison
The Forgiveness Myth
Crime can happen under a variety of circumstances. The offenses can run the gamut in nature and severity. Regardless of the situation, victims and their…
Mental Health and The Mass Incarceration Epidemic
It is said that we as a nation are suffering from a mental health crisis. But what’s often missing from the conversation is who’s most…
Who Is Monalisa Johnson?
My life was forever changed in 2012, when my daughter was sentenced to 10 years in prison. As a natural fixer, I knew I had…
Three reasons you need to watch the first episode of “Prisoner of Hope”
My new show, “Prisoner of Hope,” follows the journeys of families healing from the effects of mass incarceration from both sides of the bars.
Why “Prisoner of Hope”? (part 2)
“Why “Prisoner of Hope”? (part 2)” is the seocnd of three insightful blog posts about mass incarceration in the United States writeen by Monalisa Johnson.
Why “Prisoner of Hope”? Part I
My new show, “Prisoner of Hope,” follows the journeys of families healing from the effects of mass incarceration from both sides of the bars.