Thank you for writing to prison inmates. Very few people are willing to share their time with these
men who have become the outcasts of our society. The fact
remains - they are human beings. When you read their stories and see their
pictures you will recognize that loneliness is one of the greatest challenges
they face each day. Mail call may the lowest point of their day, yet
communication is essential in the rehabilitation process. So, thank you
for this selfless act which is worth more than the price of a stamp. It is an
act of faith - faith that you can reach out and make a positive difference in
another person's life. We hope these helpful hints will enhance your
letter writing experience for you.
Writing That First Letter
-
In your first letter, some background about information
yourself, including your interests and hobbies. Avoid sharing
too much personal information. Prison Inmates are happy to hear from you
and are looking for words of encouragement. You might respond to
something they have written in their ads, such as a love for sports or
some other area of interest.
-
If you don't receive a reply right away, be patient.
Mail moves more slowly behind prison walls. These men are
anxiously awaiting contact from the outside world. If you don't get an
immediate reply, be assured that it is not because they are not trying to
communicate with you.
-
Be sure your return address is legible. Always print
your name and address neatly on the envelope and include it again in the
body of the letter in case something happens to the envelope.
-
Birthdays can be a lonely time. If you don't have time
for a lengthy correspondence, remembering a prison inmate on this particular day
can have a tremendous impact.
-
Greeting cards can be a good way to make initial
contact. There are so many friendship-type cards available just to say
"hello" to a prison inmate. This can take the pressure off of
you worrying about what to write that first time.
-
You might want to include a photograph of yourself so the
prison inmate has a "face" to put with the name. Obviously, many
of the prisoners are forthright in stating they are looking for
relationships, but others are simply looking for a friend with whom they can
correspond. A photo would be a nice gesture of friendship.
-
Do NOT include gifts or any unauthorized items. This
would create problems for the prison inmate. Your letter means more to
them than any gift you might want to send them.
Follow-Up Writing
-
Maintaining an ongoing correspondence with a prison inmate can be
a mutually rewarding experience. As you get to know each other, your
uplifting words of encouragement can make their prison sentence more
bearable. You can encourage them in their endeavors, such as work and
school.
-
If you decide you would like to send a gift to a prisoner,
be sure to find out the prison's policy on inmates receiving gifts.
This varies from prison to prison, and your pen pal will be able to provide
this information.
|
| | |
