How to Become a Pen Pal With Someone on Death Row
For the hundreds of men and women waiting to be executed in prisons across the United States, the only contact with the outside world may be through pen pals. Quite often, friends and family members have disowned these convicts, leaving them alone.
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Instructions
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Become a Pen Pal
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Be selective in locating a pen pal. Visit the Death Penalty Information Center Web site for links to the department of corrections in each state (see Resources below).
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Contact the Human Writes organization to get connected with a death-row inmate (see Resources below).
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Request information from the prison administration regarding guidelines for corresponding with someone on death row.
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Understand that organizations soliciting prisoner pen pals are probably not in favor of capital punishment; providing communication with the outside world is a way to comfort the condemned.
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Expect it to take years for someone on death row to actually be executed. Many organizations request a long-term commitment from prospective pen pals to avoid adding feelings of abandonment to the prisoner's troubles.
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Notify the authorities should your pen pal make any threats or suggest inappropriate action. Make sure you understand your obligations before becoming a correspondent with an inmate on death row.
Know What to Write
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Understand that as a pen pal, you may be the prisoner's only connection to the outside world. As such, you may be asked to do things that require too much personal involvement or make you uncomfortable.
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Recognize your pen pal as an outcast of society--and often, someone who has become isolated from family and friends. Most death-row inmates spend as much as 23 hours a day alone in their cells.
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Keep your writing simple. Often, those facing execution just want to know they're not forgotten. Use inoffensive language.
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Learn about support and advocacy programs through the American Civil Liberties Union (see Resources below).
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the information in your letters general to avoid becoming too intimately involved. Don't ask the prisoner why they are incarcerated and don't provide any legal advice.
Make sure you have accurate information regarding the inmate's capacity to understand. Some may have learning or mental-health issues.
Never use your home address. Use a P.O. box or the address of an appropriate organization.
Be alert for scam artists.
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Comments
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thekel89
Sep 05, 2010
What an ignorant thing to say. Who are you to make such a judgement? Do you know anyone who has been in jail or is in such a situation? Then keep your unintelligent views to yourself! How many of these people killed after years and years of abuse, both physical an mental? You don't know these people, you don't know how they've been brought to this point in their lives. They are still human beings. To have such an opinion makes you just the same as the rest. You, my friend, are a perfect example of what I like to call an "Oxygen thief". I'm glad I don't come from a country who prouce specimens like yourself with pig ignorant views and a total lack of empathy. The next time you have something to say, do the human race a favour and keep it to yourself. Thanks.
