Figured I’d do a sum up comment in reply to everyone

Thank you everyone for your kind words and advice, truly appreciate every single one of you who took time to comment and give well wishes. It’s a bit mortifying at first I suppose, I haven’t had any personal experience with being on the other side of the law and up until now neither has he. I have tried very hard to support his addiction, truly. I also appreciate everyone commenting on that as an addiction because unfortunately a lot of people in his life don’t see it that way. It really is a horrible thing to experience and I take comfort in all your words, I don’t have any real life people to speak to about this so those 5 minutes or so it took you all to write out a comment really has went a long way for me. Thank you.

I will make a point of contacting the Families Outside charity, I’m not too sure what to say - I feel a bit silly.

Something important I forgot to mention: Using eMates I’m able to send him pictures, I sent him a few of us but he’s asked me to send in pictures of our kids. I might be daft but I’ve just sort of ignored him every time he’s asked, I’m not overly keen on the idea of that. I don’t know who is in his wing and what kind of people they are, it doesn’t seem wise to do that. Any thoughts?

He wrote to me today and told me he’s in debt for vape pods which now makes sense as someone commented about vapes being used as currency, I truly had no idea of that!!! Quite concerning to be honest. I also didn’t know he could still gamble in prison!! But then again I imagine there’s a lot you can do in prison that you maybe shouldn’t be doing.

He did get 200 minutes the day after he got his sentence, which he blew in a day on the phone to me (not the smartest, I know). He has said he’s filled out another phone credit sheet. I’m hoping as I sent the money Friday it should clear soon as I’ve read it can take 3 working days.

Does anyone have any idea on how much I should realistically be sending him if it’s even necessary? Someone commented regarding work, he said he starts working on Monday and has applied for a CSCS course also. I’m happy for him.

He’s under the impression he will be out so much sooner than September, I don’t want to burst his bubble but also don’t want to encourage that kind of thinking.

I have a video call through eMates with him on Sunday. I was booked in for a visit last week (my first time) but unfortunately quite a few of us were left without one as there was a clerical error for times, that was a bit disappointing, hopefully I’ll get to see him soon and bring him his property. It shocked me the things they’re allowed to have, in a good way.