How to Find a Prison Pen Pal

Writing to an inmate is a noble cause. Many inmates are lonely. Family relationships are often strained well before the inmate is sent to prison. Family resources are strained even further by incarceration, especially for the spouse, children and parents of inmates. For many prisoners, having someone who isn’t concerned about their crimes or their incarceration’s impact on their families is a bright spot during dark times. The most important thing is to find a pen pal who will appreciate the letters and not ask for anything more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask around. Check with friends, family members and acquaintances. Find out who you know that knows someone in prison and if that prisoner might be interested in a pen pal. When you find one, ask the connection between you two to see if the prisoner is amenable to a pen pal relationship.
2. Consult support groups. Check with local or internet support groups for people with loved ones in prison. Ask about inmates who are not receiving much mail and make a list of responses. Choose only one to write to at first.
3. Go online. Check charitable websites first for the names and addresses of inmates seeking pen pals. Follow any guidelines established by the agency, including sending only approved items to the prisoner.
4. Check commercial websites second. These sites usually charge a fee to post pen pal ads. They are, however, free to civilians seeking incarcerated pen pals.
5. Contact the department of corrections or prison directly. Choose an out of state correctional system and ask a liaison or prison social worker for the name and contact information of a few inmates who might benefit from and be amenable to having a civilian pen pal.
6. Write the inmate. Send a light-hearted letter with a brief introduction and ask if the inmate is interested in corresponding. Limit the inclusion of personally identifiable details and resist the urge to ask why the inmate is incarcerated.

Tips & Warnings

• The prison pen pal can be someone who has not yet gone to prison. Some inmates spend months or years in county lockups waiting for trials or plea agreements to come through. These inmates may also benefit from a pen pal and are easier to find through friends and family.
• Do not write to prisoners in Missouri found on the Internet. The Missouri Department of Corrections has banned prisoners from seeking pen pals via Internet pen pal sites. Missouri inmates caught advertising on pen pal websites are subject to disciplinary action.