Prison Ink: Prison Penpals
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I'm glad you've found my site! My name is Rue Devereux and I have a few prisoners for pen pals. Some of them tell me that recieving mail is about the only exciting thing that happens for them inside. I believe that being able to write to these wonderful people and giving them a chance to recieve mail from people is something that should be free. I'm sure that pay-sites are good as well, but many inmates don't have the money for it, and they have no one to pay the fee for them. It gets lonely inside, so why don't you open your mind and your heart and write to someone today!
And if you want to join the mailing list for updates and info just send me your email!
Newer Update!
Please forgive any delay in putting up ads. I get pretty busy with all the various things I do and forget to check my email sometimes, and sometimes I have to set aside time to put the ads up. So if you don't see it right away forgive me, it will get up there, and I will start checking my emails more often!
UPDATE: I will now accept pictures through the mail. If you previously had someone posted here and weren't able to email a picture contact me for the address and you can send a picture in a SASE (so you get it back), and I will scan it and add it to the listing. If you want to ad an inmate fill out the application and contact me so you can send the photo! Also you can look up the inmate on the state prison site (Google: (State) Department of Corrections) , they usually have an inmate finder/search. And most states and facilities take pictures of the inmates, so you can send me that one.
Tips On Writing To An Inmate
Here are some good tips for writing to inmates I found from PrisonerLife.com :
FIRST LETTER:
1. Write a little background about yourself - your interests and hobbies, what you like to do in your spare time, your studies, work, pets, your favorite movies, what bands you like, what books, what religion or philosophies interest you, etc. Avoid sharing too much personal information.
Be upfront about your ability to write on a regular basis. If you are only able to write once a month, let that person know so that he or she doesn't look for your letter and feel that you are not interested.
If you are not looking for a romantic relationship, let them know upfront. Don't play headgames.
If you do not want any kind of sexual references or suggestive writings from the inmate, make it perfectly clear in the beginning. Getting to know an inmate and them to know you takes time and a bit of patience. It's best to begin with a basic friendship and build relationships from that point.
Respond to something they have written in their ads, such as a love for the outdoors or some other area of interest.
Ask questions. Show you're interested in the person and not in the situation, the fact that he or she is in jail.
Do NOT include gifts IN your letter.
Greeting cards can be a good way to make initial contact. There are so many friendship-type cards available just to say "hello" to the prisoner. This can take the pressure off of you worrying about what to write that first time.
Prisoners are happy to get your letter(s) and are looking for words of encouragement.
2. Remember to put your return address on the upper left hand corner of the envelope (be sure it is legible) and include it again in the body of the letter in case something happens to the envelope. The prison won't accept letters without return addresses. If you don't want the prisoner to know your home address, get a P.O. Box.
3. You might want to include a photograph of yourself so the prisoner has a "face" to put with the name. Many 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. If you are going to send a photo, make sure and write the prisoner's full name and DOC number on the back of it. Otherwise it will be rejected and sent back to you, at the inmate's expense.
To view their whole list of suggestions including what to add in your letter and what NOT to add visit here: http://www.prisonerlife.com/tips.cfm
Disclaimer
We (at Prison Ink) accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any content found within these pages. The appropriate safeguards should be used in communicating with any person(s) that you may meet through this service. By using this service, you agree to not hold us responsible for any costs, liabilities, attorney's fee or damages that you may incur. The ads placed on my service are written by the inmates and we are only the means by which their ads are published. To use this service you must be at least 18 years of age.
Do not solicit our members.