Your family will have the distress of your involvement with the system. The important point to understand is the reason they are as concerned, is that they do not know what you are faced with inside.

If they believe in the myth of the predatory and evil dung heap portrayal seen on television, then they will fear for your safety. The most you can do to offset this, is write to them explaining how life is, inside. Hold nothing back, keep off personal stuff regarding guards and other inmates, anyway your family want to understand you will be ok, then they can sort themselves out, for the length of time you will be away.

The difficult times for your family will be kept from you by them. Conversely you will keep your angst locked down as well, but it may be, you will see the admission that you have a problem inside, as a sign of weakness. Never confuse machismo with depression. I would think over half the "sick" call for medication inside is for anti-depressants.

The only way you can ease the distress for your family is to look to the future, in words and talking to them on the telephone. In all you say and do, be positive in your commitment to your family, stress the happiness to come and the enjoyment you will have, you may do yourself some good in the process.