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1. Why should I write to an inmate?
I am sure that the initial purpose for writing inmates
is to help in the rehabilitation process and to offer
another human being some kindness and compassion.
So it would only be a good thing to give your time
and kindness to someone who could really use it. This
isn't the only reason, but it does serve to help the
inmates' minds and spirits.
Sometimes people on the outside need someone to lift
their hearts and minds and they find that in writing
to someone who has kind words for them. Whether with
sincerity or with ???? the words offered on paper
or in a visiting room can make a difference to someone
looking for a friend.
Lastly, there is that bit of curiosity that can only
be settled by actually doing something. Curious of
how inmates live, what they think about, how they
feel in their surroundings. Prison, literally is another
world. Unless you have been there you will not begin
to know the hardships that go along with the regret
for the mistakes people make to become a convict.
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2. Are these women for real?
These women are seriously looking to find friends,
pen pals and lovers. Before going to prison these
women were just like you and I walking around shopping,
going to work and having fun. They are looking forward
to returning to that type of life knowing they don't
ever want to go back to where they are now. Getting
a letter from you would make any of these ladies'
days wonderful and much easier to get through. This
feeling will last the rest of the week as they will
be waiting in anticipation for your next reply.
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3. Can I email the inmates?
No. These inmates do not have access to the internet.
Some may have access to a computer or typewritter,
but they are limited to using them only for typing
mailed letters. Therefore all correspondence will
be through postal mail.
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4. Are phone calls allowed?
Yes. Most prisons have some sort of priviledge for
phone use, however this will depend on the 'level'
that your pen pal is on. Meaning, some inmates have
had their priviledges taken away by being put on a
lower level. As they show signs of good behavior and
stay out of trouble they will move up in their levels
and again receive priviledges.
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5. What to watch for when looking for a sincere
pen pal / friend / lover?
There REALLY are sincere women in prison looking
to just have someone to write to. Someone to help
pass the time easier and allow for thoughts or dreams
that exist outside of prison walls. However, there
are many women who have alterior motives for finding
pen pals. Here are a few things that might raise suspicion
as to the sincerity of an inmate.
Request for money at the onset of exchanging letters.
Usually less than $10 will be enough to keep your
penpal writing to you for a month or more.
Requests for taking action on their part by contacting
other inmates. Some prisons no longer allow inmate
to inmate correspondence and so the inmates may persuade
you to mail letters for them. This would probably
be something you might offer once you have gotten
to know your pen pal better.
Does not want you to visit them. Pen pals may
deny you the opportunity for you to visit. This may
have merit due to only a limited number of people
allowed on their visitor list. The visitor list can
be given to you by your pen pal if you would like
to request it. Another reason why you might be denied
a visit is if the picture or description of your pen
pal is not accurate.
Use your good judgement when making pen pals just
as you would meeting a new friend out at the club/bar,
grocery store or on the internet.
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6. What are the rules of the prisons?
There are many rules and regulations for prisons
and they vary greatly from one to another. The best
resource for learning about how to maintain a friendship
with an inmate is to go to the website or make a call
directly to the prison your pen pal is located. This
will give you acurate and up-to-date information.
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7. Proper addressing of mail.
It is important to properly address your letters
to your new pen pals. Some of the more common reason
for letters being returned are:
- No return address
- Incomplete return address
- No DOC (Department of Corrections) or inmate number
- No housing unit or cell block provided
- Including items inside envelope that are prohibited
The mailing addresses we provide are as complete
as the inmate could provide. Sometimes when a letter
is returned there will be a sticker or stamp with
a phone number to call to locate which prison your
pen pal has moved to. This is done free of charge.
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