Friends and Family Support Group

The Friends and Family Support Group is for those who have a loved one who is incarcerated.

When someone enters the correctional facility, there is no rulebook or playbook for their friends, family, and loved ones to follow. There are many things to learn about the correctional system—and it has to be learned quickly. Many people won’t know how the mail system works, how and when they can visit, and how to prepare for their loved one’s return from incarceration.

For many families, the person who has been incarcerated was the primary earner in the household. Along with dealing with the stress of the court and correctional systems, families often have to completely rearrange their lives to retain their housing and put food on the table.

Our Friends and Family Support Group is a space where people can learn from each other’s experiences. Sometimes, all a person needs is fellowship, to know others are in the same boat and to share in the feelings of loneliness, frustration, and fear.

The support group meets once per week at the CentrePeace store in Bellefonte. Light refreshments are served. 

Due to COVID and other difficulties, this program is currently paused. We hope to soon resume the program.

If interested, please contact Cathy at Barbara@centrepeace.org