By
Tosin Oyekoya
“It’s
hard to explain,” says Maria. “My husband has been in prison for so long, but
in a way it’s gone by in the blink of an eye. When you make the decision to
stay together, you learn to live this way.”
Every
year, millions of people arrange special dates and purchase heartfelt gifts for
their loved ones for Valentine’s Day. While that is going on, there are
millions who are miserable around this time of the year. Not particularly
because they are single or feel lonely, but because their significant other is
incarcerated.
While
the average person may not think about how people “on the inside” celebrate –
or don’t celebrate – holidays like Valentine’s Day or Christmas, several
advocacy organizations are quite aware and make efforts for families to reach
out to their loved ones during special times. Families Against Mandatory
Minimums (FAMM), a nonprofit membership organization working for fair and proportionate
sentencing laws, is one of them. Four Massachusetts FAMM members shared special
messages that help remind society of the power of love and family. Maria was
one of the members, and so is Perla. Perla’s husband is serving the first year
of a 10-year sentence.
“There was never any question that we’d stay married,” wrote Perla. “We’ve been
together for eight years and he is a good husband and father.” Read the full
length articles on FAMM’s website.