Although your friends and family mean well, they can be a little intrusive – and that’s particularly true when your spouse is incarcerated. But how are you supposed to deal with the explanations, and what are you supposed to say?
Telling Friends about Your Spouse’s Incarceration
First, know that you don’t have to confide in everyone. You only have to discuss things with people you’re comfortable talking to, and there’s nothing wrong with politely saying, “I’d rather not talk about this right now.”
Many of your friends may already know the situation, and talking to them is almost second nature.
However, neighbors, acquaintances, PTA parents and others who haven’t seen your “other half” lately might start asking questions. How much should you tell them?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that. It might be a good idea to ask your loved one’s Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer whether he or she knows of any local support groups for people in situations like yours – in most cases, talking to people who are going through similar circumstances can be immensely helpful. You may learn additional ways to handle yourself when people start asking questions, or you may gain the confidence you need to tell people (politely, of course) that it’s not really their business.
Jail vs. Prison: What Should You Say?
County jails across the state of Wisconsin incarcerated about 250,000 people last year, and the number of people who were sent to prison is pretty significant, too. You’re definitely not alone; thousands of spouses have had to worry about explaining their spouse’s incarceration to family and friends. No matter why your spouse is in jail, talking about it is up to you.
The bottom line?
Do what you’re comfortable doing. You don’t have to tell anyone anything. Your closest friends will understand, and people you don’t see often don’t need to know unless you want them to know.
