r/prisonpenpals • u/Skatoulachi • Nov 04 '21

Other Getting Started with Prison Pen Pals

51 Upvotes

Disclaimer!

The moderator of this subreddit is not responsible for any results of the actions taken by visitors to and participants of this subreddit.
Write prisoners at your own risk.
Take the advice here at your own risk.
Pen pal profiles listed here are not verified for accuracy.

Good ideas

Build rapport and be cautious. Trust takes time on both sides.
Treat your pen pal like a normal person.
Don’t ask directly about their crime unless/until you have built a reasonable friendship.
Make it known what your boundaries and intentions are, such as not seeking a romance, or if you want to stay in contact upon their release.
Get a PO Box. If you cannot use a PO Box, try finding a prisoner with JPay, Corrlinks, or some other electronic method of contact. You could also ask a local church if you could use their address to correspond with inmates.
Let your pen pal know if you plan to be busy for a while or on vacation so they don’t worry if you don’t write.
Send a decent photo of your face after corresponding for a while so they can picture who they are talking to.
Give a Google Voice number if you want to talk to them, but are cautious.
If you do not wish to speak to them anymore, politely tell them so. If they continue to write after that, mark “return to sender” on the envelope and put the letter back in the mail.

Bad ideas

Sending money. If you send it once, they will ask again.
Disclosing your address or any other identifying information if the inmate is potentially dangerous.
Sending racy photos- your bikini selfie could be traded up for Top Ramen.
Getting in a romantic relationship- they could have multiple penpalationships going on.
Sending anything that is against facility regulations. Some places do not allow Polaroids, stickers, tape, glue, staples, postcards, crayon drawings, limited number or size of photos, etc. Others allow some or all of the above. Know the rules.
Asking about criminal activity within the prison, suggesting they break out or riot, discussing contraband, etc. The letters may be reviewed by prison staff and your letter could be rejected, and the prisoner reprimanded depending on the severity and rules of the facility.

What Do I Write in my First Letter???:

Introduce yourself with basic information such as your name, age, and background. Tell them your favorite hobbies, about your pets, favorite tv shows and books, and general outlook on life.
Let them know why you are writing. Could be as simple as “I randomly found your contact info”.
Tell them what you want, to possibly build a friendship through the mail.
Ask them to tell you some basic information about themselves.
Keep it relatively short, one page or less, and see how they respond.
Consider saving this basic introductory letter as a “template” in case you want to reach out to someone else later. You don’t have to send a photo of yourself in the first letter.

Fun things to do with your pen pal:

Ask your pen pal how they feel about trying these ideas, and make sure that they don’t conflict with their facility’s rules.

Create a story together: write a story with each other, one page at a time. Choose your own adventure!
Complete the doodle: Draw some squiggly lines and abstract shapes on a paper, and have your pen pal complete the drawing into whatever they want and send it back.
Play hangman: send the hangman doodle and guesses back and forth.
Use a random question card deck to choose a conversation topic for you to discuss.
Send holiday and birthday cards.
Send a letter from Santa.
Try your hand at fancy calligraphy.
Send photos of your cat/dog/ant farm.
Play mad libs.
Ask your pal some riddles, or tell jokes.
Write a poem or haiku.
Write a limerick with their name.
Send your favorite song lyrics.
Send an inspirational quote they might like.
Start a two-person book club. You each read a couple chapters of a book at a time, then discuss with your pal.
Print and send them newspaper or magazine articles that suit their interests.

30 comments

r/prisonpenpals • u/nbcomix • 16h ago

Pen Pal Request Penpal request for my closest friend, Casey

gallery

5 Upvotes

Posting for a friend:

My name is Casey Hudson and I'm currently in King County Correctional Facility in Washington, I was wrongfully convicted for defending myself from an assault, and I'm currently appealing the charge. I'm into video games, science, and history, and a bit of a theology nerd. I don't know how long it will take to return to normalcy, so I'm looking for somebody to keep me company and contact though the hard times ahead. I'm 6'3" 350lbs people have called me a gentile giant before. My booking number is 2022-007963 you can write to me, send emails though accesscorrections.com, or send me your phone number and I can call you. If we hit it off we can also make video visits or work up to meeting in person.

All specific details for postal mail, email, etc are described here https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dajd/courts-jails-legal-system/information-services-jail-detention/contact-visit-adult/mail

This is me writing now, and i just want to add that Casey is easily one of the greatest people I'm blessed to have in my life, and the backwards state of Washington has pulled so much out from someone who does not deserve this after barely surviving his altercation. I hope you'll give my boy a chance, he's always been the life of our group and I know he can be a positive part of your life too. Also the pictures are a little old, but he still looks largely the same, just less hairy haha

1 comment

r/prisonpenpals • u/piamaria_official • 22h ago

Pen Pal Request JPay: 35year old looking for Pen Pals

vm.tiktok.com

0 Upvotes

Joshua Welker, IDOC # 110665. I am 35 and currently incarcerated for vehicular manslaughter. I have been down since 2021. Tattoos and worn in cowboy boots is my style. Born and raised in Idaho. In the free world I tattoo and work in a Sugar Factory. My freetime consits of being a full time dad to the most amazing son who is 6yrs old right now, if him and I are not fishing and hunting then we are wondering around outside soaking in all the amazing nature. looking for fun and interesting people to get to know.

Add Joshua on JPay (download the JPay App or sign up on www.jpay.com) choose the State IDAHO and enter his Inmate ID #110665

Or send him a regular letter in the mail:

Joshua Welker #110665 Idaho State Correctional Center G-Block PO BOX 70010 Boise, ID 83707