Why doesn’t my loved one hug me when I visit?

Do not be surprised if your loved one is aloof and doesn’t make contact for the first or first several visits. He or she may feel very emotional and may feel like crying. So showing emotion or giving you a hug when you visit your loved one in prison may not be possible for them to do, even if they want to. It may even make it worse for them to tell you that they can’t or won’t show affection. Maybe even something they don’t realize or understand. It’s difficult to remove the block or mask they need to wear when they are inside the prison.  They cannot show weakness when they are inside and this could fall over into your visit. After a few visits they may soften up when they feel like they’ll be able to show emotion. Give them room, support them, and hopefully they will come around in time.