Guidelines In Writing Inmates
Writing to prisoners can be very rewarding experience.
** Your first letter should be an introduction - it can be as brief or as detailed as you like, but don't tell too much the first time.
Keep some things for subsequent letters.
Tell your new friend a little about yourself, your family, where you live, your job and something about your interests.
Include a few basic questions to give him/her something to reply to.
** Do not question a prisoner about his/her crime. This is a personal matter and should be left for your friend to tell you if and when they choose.
** Always include your name and return address, both on the envelope and inside your letter or card.
Not all prisons allow their prisoners to have the envelope and without your address they will not be able to reply.
** If you feel you will not be able to write very often, explain this to your friend at the beginning so he/she will know exactly what to expect and not be disappointed later on.
** Never feel pressured to send money. Most prisoners will not ask, but some do and no-one should ever feel obliged to send money for any reason.
** Try not to make promises that you will be unlikely to carry through.
Sometimes prisoners will ask you to visit them and if you are unable or unwilling to do this,it is best to make it clear at the start.
** Remember a lot of prisoners are limited financially and may not always be able to reply straight away.
Be patient and if you are concerned, just write again or perhaps send a card to check and see if your friend is ok.
** It is not advisable to write to more than one prisoner in the same prison. This has been known to cause fights between prisoners and should be avoided at all times.
** Please remember that prisoners are human beings just like you - they have feelings and can be hurt as easily as you can.
Always treat them as you would like to be treated and repect them as the human beings they are.
*** Although some prisoners are kept under extremely strict confinement (especially those under sentence of death, or in Supermax units) the authorities will allow uninterrupted corresponcence AS LONG AS
THE RULES ARE ADHERED TO.
Rules vary from prison to prison and it is inadvisable to include ANYTHING in your envelope (apart from your letter) without asking your friend what is allowed first.
Prison rules are never bent or broken for any reason and failure to comply with these rules can result in your mail being withheld. Worse still, it can result in your friend being punished and having his privileges taken away.
Enjoy your new friendship!
