Tale of Two Sisters - A Request from Lacie - October 16, 2021

A Lacie original watercolor.

She began painting to help her get through the lockdowns since the pandemic began.

A few days ago, I received a letter in the mail from Lacie. She is currently enrolled in an English class and is working on a project. Her desire is to write a guide/instructions for girls/women when they come to live in the fine gated community also known as, Denver Women's Correctional Facility.

I am forwarding it to all of you because many of you have asked how you can help her and get in touch with her. It took a lot of effort for me to learn the "How To's" in the topics Lacie listed below. If you have questions about these, then this "Guide" she is writing is just for you!!! Please share your thoughts.

Here is the letter from Lacie:

How to Care for Loved Ones

I am creating a "How to Guide" for my English class. The guide is to help others navigate the obstacles in supporting someone in prison.  Many family members and friends have had to endure many difficulties along the way in learning how to communicate. With your help, this guide will address several of those issues.

Please answer with your thoughts on this questionnaire and return it via Jpay, or email back to Stephanie.

Thank you for all your help.

With the topics listed below, please provide information you wish you would have known (or wish to know) on how to navigate the amazing system of the Colorado Department of Corrections.

1. Visiting your loved ones - How can I visit in person and/or via video?

2. Phone calls- How do they work? Can I call my loved one? How can they call me? How do we pay for the calls?

3. J-Pay- What is it and how does it work?

4. Sending books, cards, and letters - What are we allowed to send?

5. Communicating - How can I stay in touch with my loved one?

6. Showing Love - How do we show support for our loved ones? We want them to know that they are not forgotten.

7. How do we (the incarcerated) show appreciation to our support on the outside?

8. How could we help in any way that is not listed?

If you have any other thoughts or suggestions, please add them to your response. I will be sure to forward your responses to Lacie ASAP. I know it is important for her to create a guide to help others that are having to face the difficulties of being incarcerated and wanting to communicate with their family and friends. This could be a big help to those of us who want to do more, however, they find it challenging to do so. It also is her class project!!! So proud of her for wanting to make things better!!

Thank you for participating!!!

Stephanie - Lacie's Sister

PS I will send out an update soon. Lacie is doing really well.

If you would like to send your responses via a card, or a letter, here is her address:

Lacie Nelson

#145499

PO Box 392005

Denver, CO 80239