How to Befriend an Inmate

Many times prisoners lose contact with their family and friends. Befriending an inmate by writing, emailing or visiting could diminish his or her tendency to repeat criminal or antisocial behavior. Being friends with an inmate is a commitment and something you should consider seriously before licking that stamp.

Instructions

1. Decide in which country, state and city you would like to befriend an inmate by looking at some websites that list prisoner personal ads.

2. Select an inmate based on his or her photo and profile. Decide cautiously since you are allowing this person to become part of your life.

3. Learn the prison rules about contacting and visiting an inmate. Some prisons only allow a certain number of letters. Some don't allow packages. Many times your letters are read before the inmate receives them.

4. Choose your words carefully for your first letter. Let the inmate know you are willing to be his or her friend.

5. Prepare yourself for a long-term, personal relationship.

Tips & Warnings

• Open a post office box or send your letters through an agency so you don't have to include your physical home address.

• Sometimes a card is a good thing to send when you first write to a complete stranger.

• Report any uncomfortable or suspicious content your inmate sends you.

• Send a postage-paid envelope with your letters. Some inmates don't have access to money and may not be able to buy postage.

• Don't give any information that is too personal, but do introduce yourself and converse with the inmate.

• Don't write anything that could get you or the inmate in trouble.

• Don't make up things about yourself. Be honest, but be guarded. You don't know this person.

Resources

• Write a Prisoner helps prisoners find pen pals
• Prison Voice allows you to search inmates, write to prisoners and make prison pen pals
• The Pampered Prisoner is another site where you can find information to befriend an inmate