Christmas Joy in Prison

What is “Christmas Joy in Prison”?

A small gift from home as a sign they are remembered. In the vast majority of prisons, relatives are not allowed to send anything for security reasons. On Christmas days, when everyone is celebrating “outside,” loneliness and despair often grip people in prison even more than usual.

We want to do something about that. 

We want to let people in prison share in the joy of Christmas. After all, Jesus was born especially for the people on the margins. 

As a non-profit organization, we have the opportunity to send packages to the prison chaplaincy, for example. She gives them to prisoners.

How does it work?

Around the beginning of December, we send our package donors a message with:

• The address of a contact person in the correctional facility, for example a pastor. 

• Packing instructions and a return label with our address (the package donors themselves remain anonymous). 

You then send a package to the contact person. The contact person passes it on to prisoners in need. In some prisons, several prisoners share a package.

“Someone thought of me”

The reactions to the packages show that no matter how little some prisoners have, the most important thing for them is not the material contents of the package. The important thing is: someone thought of me, someone wishes me well. Because many no longer have any contacts with the “outside”. And sometimes just such a gesture can help regain a bit of confidence and hope.

The card and of course the contents of the package bring me a bright light into a very dark time for me and brought me tears of joy today! It was so unexpected—like a godsend, really! T., Hagen

What can go in the package?

• Certain foods such as coffee, pastries, sweets and tobacco are permitted by the prisons. They are simple things that you can get in any supermarket. You will receive a list of permitted items from us.

• Please do not buy anything or send anything before you have received a recipient address from us: Our packing recommendations may vary depending on the recipient.

• The contents should not exceed a total value of around 30 euros, but should not be less than around 25 euros, so that all prisoners receive packages of approximately the same value. Such a package weighs approximately 3 kg.

• Most prisoners are particularly happy if you include a personal greeting card!

Frequently asked questions:

Why are sometimes prisoners and sometimes prison contact persons the recipients of the parcels?

In almost all federal states, prisoners are not allowed to receive parcels addressed directly to them. The reason for this is security concerns - relatives or friends might want to smuggle something in.

However, as a charitable organization, the Black Cross is able to send parcels that are not addressed to a specific prisoner.  A contact person at the prison is named as the recipient. This is usually the chaplain. This contact person forwards the parcels to specific prisoners in need. This could be, for example, prisoners who are unable to work and therefore only have a small amount of pocket money. In some cases, a parcel is also divided among several prisoners.

Once we have met this demand, some parcels are also given to people in preventive detention, in the prison system and to people released from prison. Unlike prisoners, they are allowed to receive parcels addressed to them personally.

Am I packing for a man or a woman?

Our recipients are almost exclusively men. If, exceptionally, your recipient is a woman, you will recognize this by the address we send you ("JVA für Frauen").

What is the procedure after I have registered with you as a parcel donor?

Between around mid-November and mid-December, you will receive the address of an inmate or a contact person in the prison from us, as well as information on what can and cannot be included in the parcel. You list the contents of the parcel on an enclosed form and place the sheet in the parcel. Then address the parcel, affix the inmate's parcel stamp (if available) and the sender's address of the Black Cross and post the parcel.

You will receive all the necessary documents (parcel stamps, sender labels, information etc.) from us.

Will the recipient know my address?

No. You use the Black Cross in Celle as the sender's address.

What is allowed in my parcel?

Certain foodstuffs such as coffee, cookies, sweets. The prison also allows tobacco. These are simple things that you can get in any supermarket.

You will receive detailed packing instructions from us. There are different packing instructions depending on the recipient and federal state. Therefore, please wait until you have received an addressee and the relevant documents from us before making your purchase.

It is also important to know what is not allowed in the parcel. You will find information on this on the homepage. This includes, for example, all items that contain alcohol, even in very small quantities. Please read the composition of the food on the packaging.

How much should I spend on each parcel?

Around 25-30 euros plus postage.

Can I also enclose books, clothes, handicrafts or similar items?

Unfortunately, no. Prisons generally only allow certain foods and tobacco.

Some prisons have slightly different rules. In this case, we will enclose their regulations. In case of doubt, the regulations of the prison always apply.

Are there things that prisoners are particularly happy about?

Mostly coffee and tobacco. But of course it's up to you whether you want to enclose tobacco! If you refuse, it would be ideal if you let us know from the outset. We will then try to give you the address of a non-smoker, if we have one. If you do not enclose tobacco, please add something else from the permitted items instead, so that the value of the parcel remains comparable with the other parcels and nobody is disadvantaged.

Can I enclose a personal greeting?

Very much so! We hear again and again that personal greetings mean a lot to the recipients. Please use a card (not a letter). You can sign your first name, but please do not include the sender's address.

What happens if I enclose something inadmissible?

Then you run the risk of acceptance being refused. In any case, unauthorized items will be removed and will not reach the recipient.

Can I be sure that my parcel will actually arrive?

No parcel "disappears". In individual cases, the prison may refuse to accept the parcel. The parcel is then sent back to us in Celle.

Will I get a response from the recipient?

We forward personal letters of thanks from the inmates to the parcel donors in January or February together with a thank you from us. Nevertheless, it is the exception rather than the rule that a prisoner sends a letter of thanks. However, this does not mean that they do not appreciate the parcel.

Prisoners who receive their parcel via a contact person unfortunately do not have the opportunity to thank you personally.

At the end of the campaign, we will compile some reactions from the recipients and send them to you.

When should I send the parcel?

This is noted in the documents you receive from us. If nothing is mentioned, you can send it at any time. For most prisons, it is ideal if it arrives about a week before Christmas. That leaves enough time for the security check.

I don't want to pack myself, but would still like to support the campaign. Can I also make a donation?

That would be great! Please transfer your donation to our account at XXX with the note "Paketaktion":