Prison Pen Pals

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robertmidwest

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In May I started a prison pen pal program. It has been a wonderful experience.

I have four inmates to whom I write. I enjoy writing and it isn’t hard for me to fill a couple of pages with current events, sports, family stuf, faith, etc. Each letter I try to touch on faith, but It is always mixed in with the other things. I don’t want to “lecture” someone about religion and lose their interest. I would like to take the conversations deeper though. Any suggestions on how to do it? At first I was typing the letters and printing them. Several got confiscated because the prisons like handwritten letters on lined notebook paper (too many drugs were being smuggled in printer paper and color printing). Printing articles made it easy for to bring in spiritual topics. But it is a waste they are being confiscated and the inmate never sees them. So now I handwrite my letters.

So all you out there who are good at evangelizing…how do you head a conversation in a spiritual direction? Or should I just be satisfied with the “feel good” letters?
 
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Maybe just flat-out ask- Are you religious? Why do you think we’re here?
 
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As someone who has unhappily done time in Prison, I must warn you.

Penpals are routinely “played”. Convicts are not generally the most truthful or sincere people. Be VERY careful, don’t get too close to any of these people. Do not send money, and DO NOT offer to let them stay with you when they get out.

Seriously. It’s no game, the types of people in prison are NOT your average person.
 
@Spyridon

Yes. I agree with you.

I was a correction officer for several years so I have some experience with inmates already. I am not too niave either.

I do use a pen name and the letters go to the diocese office instead of my address.

I will stay vigilant in this area, but it is not really a worry. I do understand and am thankful for your concern.
 
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That’s very good news.

I DO support the pen pal program and prison ministry and stuff like that.

I just also felt obligated to warn a potential victim over possible pitfalls involved with such things.
 
@Maximilian75

Two of the 4 have some sense of failth. One is Catholic. The other tells me his experience is non denominational. I wrote him a letter asking him check out the Catholic programs available to him.

Maybe I am just being impatient?
 
Then go from there! I dont know if you can send them books, but if you can, do a book study together by mail, maybe?
 
I would check on whether they can receive books. Sometimes they are allowed if the books are sent from someplace like Amazon direct to them, but I wasn’t allowed to send much of anything when I was corresponding with someone in prison. I tried to send envelopes once because the guy said he was out and they got confiscated because people would put drugs in the adhesive - this person was my personal friend so I know he was wanting envelopes and not drugs, he was drug-free, but they still got confiscated. Books were a giant no-no unless shipped from publisher.

As for being impatient, if these guys are going to be in prison for a long period of time, they are likely not in a rush to do anything. They also probably get a lot of religious suggestions from the people who do ministry inside the prison, including other prisoners. I would just keep up what you are doing over the long term and if it bears fruit, fine, if not you’re still doing a corporal work of mercy.
 
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@Maximilian75

That was my long term goal when I started. Not all, but some of my letters not handwritten and on printer paper are getting confiscated. Lately I have been handwriting them so I know they get through. No books can be sent in unless they are sent by a third party vendor like Amazon. I would send one article about something secular and one article about the Catholic faith along with my letter. But they would get stopped and the inmate never saw them. I wouldn’t know for days.
 
Could you contact the prision and see how (if you even can) send a book?
 
@Maximilian75

It has to be a third party vendor. Like Amazon (Barnes & Noble, etc.) I have my own family, so money becomes a part of the equation.
 
I used to do Postcrossing. The correspondence is always short and sweet, and it’s nice to get colorful images from around the world. Working with the small space helps you keep it bright and punchy, and not get too verbose. “I was reading _____. It made a really cool point about ______ that made me think. It basically said ________. You might give it a try sometime when you’re bored.” etc.
 
@Jordan4over5

I appreciate you concern, but like I said before there are safeties in place. I have some work experience with inmates too.

Prison ministry is a true corporal act of mercy. I find it fulfilling. It is not really a question of “do I it or not”. It is more a question of made the letters more spiritual without chasing away the inmate.
 
but couldnt you just order a book online and then have it shipped to the prison ? is there something here im not understanding?
 
It’s expensive to have Amazon ship books.
Also, unless the prisoner is asking for a specific book, he may not even bother to read it. Short attention span and all. (In my case, my friend had asked for a book, he was bored in there and was more educated than the average prisoner.)

Probably better to just include a few little quotes or short prayers in each letter, I reckon. Cheaper that way too.
 
One of my cousin’s is in prison for murder, can’t give you his name here, but you could probably find him in an Illinois State Prison directory of some sort. Last time I tried to write him, he was being kind of a jerk
 
@Maximilian

Yes, that is what I meant by third party vendor. I am sorry if I made it confusing. Like Tis_Bearself says it is expensive. At least for me with three kids.
 
i mean no more that 10 dollars… by no means do I intend to judge, but shipping is not that expensive these days
 
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