HELP FOR LOVED ONES
Support for you.
When someone you love is incarcerated, the experience can be disorienting and exhausting — navigating a system that rarely explains itself, all while managing everything else in your life. Oregon CURE sees you, and we’re here to help.
Research shows that strong outside support is one of the most powerful factors in helping a person successfully reintegrate after release. We offer free monthly support groups — online via Zoom and in person in Eugene and Salem — where you can share experiences, ask questions, and find community with others who understand.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
● ONLINE VIA ZOOM
Online Monthly Support Group
7:00 PM Pacific
Join from anywhere in Oregon. Peer support for families of incarcerated individuals. No registration required.
Permanent Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81136265458
In-person Monthly Support Groups
Eugene, Oregon
6:30–8:30 pm.
Salem, Oregon
9:30–11:30 am.
Orientation Sessions
We’re currently working with the Oregon Department of Corrections to schedule our next orientation session, which will be held via Zoom. We’ll post the date, time, and registration link here as soon as it’s confirmed.
Going forward, we also plan to record orientation sessions and post the links here, so you can stream them whenever it’s convenient for you.
What orientation covers:
- Understanding the intake process
- Visitation rights and communication
- Reentry planning and resources
- Oregon CURE programs and services
- Live Q&A
Handouts for the First Days
The earliest days of a loved one’s incarceration are often the hardest — full of uncertainty and unanswered questions. These one-page handouts are built for printing: two are written directly for you, and the third is meant to be printed and mailed to your loved one inside.
The First Days
Ten things that matter most for families in the first days after a loved one is incarcerated.
The First Phone Call
Ten things that matter most when your loved one calls for the first time.
The First Days Inside
Ten things that matter most for someone going to prison for the first time — for your loved one, to print and mail.
Frequently Asked Questions from Loved Ones
If you have a loved one in an Oregon correctional facility, you likely have questions. Here are answers to the most common concerns we hear. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us directly.
How do I find out which facility my loved one is in?
The Oregon Department of Corrections maintains an online locator where you can search for anyone currently in custody by name or ID number, available at docpub.state.or.us/OOS/intro.jsf. If you’re having trouble finding your loved one or interpreting the results, contact us and we’ll help you track it down.
How do visitation requests work in Oregon?
Each person in custody must add you to their approved visitor list, and most facilities require a visiting application to be submitted and approved in advance. Processing can take several weeks, so it’s best to apply early. Your loved one can request the application from their facility, or you can find current visiting forms and rules on the Oregon DOC website. Once approved, bring valid photo ID and follow the facility’s dress code and scheduling rules on visiting day.
When is the next orientation session?
We’re currently working with the Oregon Department of Corrections to schedule our next orientation session, which will be held via Zoom. We’ll post the date and registration link here as soon as it’s confirmed — check back, or contact us to be notified directly.
How do I receive the prison newsletter for a specific institution?
Oregon CURE collects newsletters from correctional institutions across Oregon and posts current and past issues on our Prison Newsletters page. Find your loved one’s facility there to read the latest issue or browse the archive — no sign-up required.
How do I attend the monthly online support group?
Our online support group meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM Pacific via Zoom. No registration is required — just use the permanent meeting link on this page. We also hold in-person groups in Eugene and Salem each month; details are above.
What does Oregon CURE membership include?
Membership includes our quarterly newsletter, updates on our advocacy work, and access to our resources — starting at $15 a year and fully tax-deductible. Your membership helps us keep offering free support groups and orientation sessions to families across Oregon. Visit our Become a Member page to join.
How can I contact Oregon CURE for help with my situation?
You can reach us through the contact form on our Contact page, or by mail at Oregon CURE, PO Box 80193, Portland, OR 97280. We’re an all-volunteer organization, so please allow a little time for a reply — we respond to every message we receive.