Categories: People

Top Ten Gift Ideas for a Prisoner

“Gift ideas for a prisoner,” you might ask, but think about what you are saying. Are you honestly suggesting that people in jail do not deserve to be recognized on Christmas? They are no different than us, as people who are loved and cherished by thier families. Having a family member put in jail can sometimes be one of the hardest trials a person, especially young children, can face. Then when Christmas comes around, and a child’s mother or father is not there to spend it with them, they are definately going to want to send them a little Christmas gift to show that they love them.

Different jails have different rules and regulations that the prisoners must follow, including the recieving of such articles as mailed to them by friends or family. If you have a prisoner that you are buying Christmas gifts for, it is best that you check the regulations held by that particular jail. After looking over the list of things a person can or cannot send to a prisoner, try these ten things to see if they can be sent:

1. A calendar is a very good gift to give to someone who resides in jail. It is sometimes hard for someone to keep up with dates and times, and a calendar would be very useful in this situation. However, make sure there is no metal ring on the calendar, because most jails will not accept these. A cheap suggestion would be to give them a homemade one printed from a computer with photos of family members on it. Especially photos of family members that are not able to visit, like grandparents, or out of state family.

2. Prisons often have a distinct smell that is often times not so amusing to prisoners. Try sending your prisoner something that smells nice, such as a car air freshener (the paper ones that hang in your car), or when sending a letter, spray it with some nice smelling perfume. Try going for an outside scent; sometimes it gives them the feel that they are outside, and not cooped up in the jail cell.

3. Magazine subscriptions are very good gifts for your loved one who is in jail. Most jails will not, however, let you send him/her just one magazine. Most of the time, the magazine has to come straight from the publisher, so try sending a whole subscription. Make sure it is not a fighting magazine, or a magazine that may have nudity in it, because most jails will not accept these. Most news journals are accepted and are better ideas than subscriptions for mere pleasure.

4. Don’t know what to do with all those forwarded emails that you get containing jokes and funny stories? Send them to a jail mate, they will love them! Most prisoners find it hard to laugh or smile in the setting they are in, so what better way to make them smile, by sending them a joke. This is a free option for your special prisoner.

5. You will definately have to check with your local jail about this one, but some jails accept paper back books. This is a must have for a prisoner, because it will give him or her something to do with their spare time. Opt for books that have illustrations, and send lots of them. You might think that it will take them awhile to read a book, but they have a lot more time on thier hands than we do. Send as many as thier jail will allow them to have. A cheap gift to go along with this is going to a photo booth and get a strip of funny pictures made to be used as a bookmark.

6. Notecards, envelopes, and colored paper are often a good idea for a prisoner. They can draw or write letters in thier spare time using these, and it is often fascinating for them to recieve something colorful. Try drawing some designs yourself on envelopes and letterheads on paper for them, or print them from your computer.

7. Postcards, pictures, or brochures of different places you have travelled are a good gift also. Prisoners don’t see much of the beauty of the “outside world” crammed into a jail cell. Send them something that you love to look at, or some photos that you have taken. Another fun project is to have a picture of your loved one, cut thier face out and glue it to another body. They will love to see themselves in something other than a jail outfit.

8. Money orders are very original, but most prisons will only accept these so that they prisoner can only get things through the jail. Just be sure to send a sweet scented letter with it, so he or she will have something amusing.

9. One person on the suggested website, bought a star for her friend on death row. Sometimes material things aren’t the best thing to send someone in that situation. All the jail mates were very envious of her friend, because he was the first of them to have such a special gift.

10. Get a list of your prisoners favorite songs. If they play music in the jail, make sure he gives you a few of those songs too. Mail them the lyrics to all the songs he or she listed, so that they can memorize them and sing them in jail. Some jails that don’t play music probably won’t care if the prisoners sing… this will also make the other inmates jealous because your prisoner will know all the words to songs.

Sometimes it is a little harder to buy for prisoners; well alot harder. All it takes is a little effort and thought, and you are back in the Christmas picture. Hope you find these tips useful, and be sure to visit the website below!