Built by a Family, for Families
Pelipost was born from personal experience. A mother and son who know what it means to stay connected through incarceration.
Joe & Becky Calderon, Founders of Pelipost
A journey from separation to something better: honest, hopeful, and built with purpose.
The Separation
When Becky Calderon was incarcerated, her family experienced firsthand how broken the system was for staying in touch. Sending a simple photo meant navigating outdated processes, unreliable vendors, and weeks of uncertainty. The distance felt impossible to bridge, not because of the miles, but because of the barriers in between.
A Son's Mission
While still in college, Joe Calderon channeled two years of frustration into purpose. He began mapping out what a better way could look like: one that respected the dignity of families, worked within facility rules, and removed every unnecessary hurdle. The question wasn't whether to build it; it was how to build it right.
Pelipost Is Born
The Pelipost app launched with a single, clear promise: make it simple to send real, printed photos to any correctional facility in the United States. Families could finally upload photos from their phones, write a personal message, and have their order professionally printed and mailed, all in minutes. The response from families was immediate and emotional.
Beyond Photos
As families' needs grew, so did Pelipost. The platform expanded to include letters, postcards, greeting cards, and activity books, a full suite of ways to stay meaningfully connected. Each new product was built around the same principle: if it doesn't make connection easier, it doesn't belong. Pelipost became the only platform families needed.
Trusted Nationwide
Pelipost reached a milestone that once seemed impossible: 4,000+ correctional facilities served across all 50 states, and hundreds of thousands of families connected. What started as one family's answer had become the most trusted communication platform in the country for those navigating the realities of incarceration, and that trust continues to grow every day.
Both Sides of the Wall
As the platform grew, Pelipost began working more closely with the correctional facilities receiving the mail. What started as a service for families became a partnership with facilities too. Same mission, both sides of the wall: safe, consistent, and dignified communication for everyone involved.
The GILO Day Movement Grows
Global Incarcerated Loved One Day gained momentum like never before. What began as a single day of recognition grew into a global movement, with hundreds of participants sharing their stories, wearing the message, and showing up for their loved ones across the country and around the world. August 8 became a day families looked forward to all year.
Building Community
Pelipost launched Support Circles, a community platform that connects families who understand the unique challenges of loving someone who is incarcerated. With groups built for partners, parents, first-time families, and more, the app became more than a mail service. It became a lifeline.
From lived experience to lasting change
"I know what it's like to wait for a letter that never comes. I know what it means when a photo arrives and makes everything feel a little less far away. That's why we built Pelipost." Becky Calderon, Co-founder
Becky's experience gave Pelipost something no competitor could replicate: genuine empathy. Every product decision, every policy, every feature is filtered through the question, "Does this actually help families?" (because the people building it have been those families).
Today, Becky is an advocate for criminal justice reform and family connection, partnering with organizations like Prison Fellowship and the Social Enterprise Alliance to amplify what Pelipost represents: resilience, hope, and the power of staying connected.
Our Mission & Values
“We started Pelipost because we understand how much these photos mean to someone on the inside. That’s why we will do all we can to make this process accessible to everyone.” Joe Calderon, CEO
Connection
Every feature exists to strengthen the bond between families and improve outcomes.
Empathy
We've lived this experience. Our team operates with deep respect for the emotional weight families carry.
Accessibility
Affordable, easy, and available to every family, regardless of tech experience or budget.
Quality
Professional printing, reliable delivery, and Delivery Assurance, because every piece of mail matters.
Want to find your community? Explore Support Circles →
Community Initiatives
Pelipost invests in the communities it serves through programs, partnerships, and advocacy.
Support Circles
Find your people in groups built specifically for families with loved ones who are incarcerated. Waiting Wives & Partners, Parents of Incarcerated, First-Timers. Real communities where members share stories, ask questions, and lift each other up through the hard days.
Question of the Week
Every week, the Pelipost community comes together around a single meaningful question. Hundreds of responses, thousands of reactions. A weekly reminder that you're part of something much bigger than yourself, and that your experience resonates with others on the same path.
Partnering for Greater Impact
Pelipost collaborates with leading organizations in criminal justice reform, faith-based reentry, and social enterprise to amplify the voices of the families it serves. These partnerships strengthen our ability to advocate for meaningful change in facilities, in policy, and in public perception.
Download Pelipost
The easiest way to stay connected with your incarcerated loved one. Available on iOS and Android.
