The AFOI mission is to prevent the breakdown of relationships among inmates and their families by providing regular, meaningful visitation, support and education services. Our services help prepare families for a successful transition when the inmate is released from prison. AFOI is one of only a handful of such programs in Virginia and across the United States.
About AFOI
What is Assisting Families of Inmates?
The AFOI mission is to prevent the breakdown of relationships among inmates and their families by providing regular, meaningful visitation, support and education services. Our services help prepare families for a successful transition when the inmate is released from prison. AFOI is the only program in Virginia that provides these services and one of only a handful, of such programs, in the United States.AFOI services include:
- Regular visiting-day transportation on Saturdays to 30 Virginia prisons, correctional centers, correctional units and work centers
- A children’s visitation program
- A hot meal when buses return at the end of the visiting day, coordinated by our dedicated volunteers
- Individual and group services that help families cope with the emotional and survival issues associated with having an incarcerated loved one
- Assistance to families and inmates with resource referrals to other agencies that aid with education, legal issues, housing, employment, childcare, etc.
- Information on prison rules and visiting policies and procedures
- The Milk and Cookies (MAC) Children’s Program in Blackwell, Swansboro, Bellemeade, Oak Grove, Summer Hill, Ruffin Road and Woodville Elementary Schools
- Other collaborative, community efforts including All God’s Children Summer Camp through the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church
- Many opportunities for community involvement through volunteering
Who do you serve?
Last year (2005-2006) AFOI provided over 3,100 visits to Virginia correctional facilities. For the majority of our clients, AFOI is the only means by which they can maintain regular contact with their incarcerated relatives and loved ones.
Why are these services important?
Quite simply- because they are important to the families. AFOI families report that visits allow them to spend time together with their loved ones as a family discussing life events and planning for a more hopeful future. A visit for a mother and her incarcerated son relieves worry and concern. A visit for a child and his incarcerated parent encourages important parent-child bonding. A visit for a wife and her incarcerated husband strengthens a lifelong commitment. And, as equally important, families believe that their visits have a positive effect on the inmates’ adjustment while in prison and after release back into the community. In fact, research supports the notion that inmates who receive regular visits are more likely to have a higher incidence of success after release.
The Virginia Department of Corrections has previously estimated that there are over 4,000 families affected by incarceration in the Richmond area. This number represents a significant portion of our community’s population struggling with effects of a loved one’s incarceration. With changes in sentencing guidelines and the elimination of parole in Virginia, the number of families in need of services is continuously growing.
For more information on program services or volunteer opportunities please feel free to contact our office.