if it comes to a pen-pal, especially if comes to an inmate. How to find and write a prisoner? If you search the internet you will find several options. The most "famous" option is: "Write A prisoner".
No money? No account and less chance ever to receive a letter or postcard, unless there is a relative or friend who will pay for it.
Male, female, newest accounts etc. Each inmate introduces him-/herself. Tells what he/she is looking for. Some are looking for a relationship, others just hope for a letter once in a while, look for someone who will help pay their education or lawyer, pray for them and so on. In the US prisons you will find all kind of inmates, also foreigners. You can read/find out as well (also search the web/government site) what an inmate is convicted for + when he/she will be released.
Know what you want. Since I do have a family and I don't want to put them in danger, I asked myself how to protect them, myself and also with what "type" of inmates I am not willing to write with.
To start with I am not willing to write with inmates who are:
to start with. The first contact was easily made by sending an e-mail to "write a prisoner". They forwarded my introduction letter to the inmate of my choice. From then on I needed to wait for a response.
the picture (card) is made by an inmate
NOTE:
if he/she can e-mail back or has to write the old fashioned way with pen and paper (or in some cases pencil and paper). Important to know is that all letters can/will be read. So be carefull with what you tell. You never know who will read it.
but despite of what "write a prisoner" tells you or wants you to believe, most inmates are:
as a pen-pal and to quit if that inmate tries to:
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