The StillHere Guide
Every chapter we’ve written, in one place
Pick where you are. Each chapter stands on its own and links forward and back through the whole guide. Start at the beginning, or jump to the part that’s hitting hardest right now.
First 30 Days
The first monthThe emotional arc of Week 1, the immediate practical steps, what to know about visits, how to talk to children, and when to reach for outside support.
Read chapter → Chapter 2Week 2 Check-in
Weeks 2 through 4The adrenaline crash, the quiet weeks, the patterns that trip families up in facility communications, and continued age-by-age guidance for kids.
Read chapter → Chapter 3Jail vs. Prison Communication
System-by-systemHow phone, mail, visitation, and the messaging platforms actually differ between county jails and state or federal prisons — with the gotchas that cost real time and money.
Read chapter → Chapter 4Facility Phone Systems
Long-tail deep diveInside the prepaid calling platforms families actually use — Securus, GTL, ICSolutions, PayTel — and the setup, first-call, blocked-number, rate, and voicemail gotchas behind them.
Read chapter → Chapter 5First Visit Prep
Walking in for the first timeWhat to expect on arrival, facility dress code and ID rules, what to bring (and what gets refused), kid-visitation basics, and how to emotionally prepare for walking in for the first time.
Read chapter →