WHAT TO WRITE TO AN INMATE
Do you wonder what to talk about with a prisoner or What to write to an inmate? In this guide we will give you some tips and tricks on how to get started with your prison correspondence.
Before you start writing your letter to the inmate you may want to check the website of the facility to verify any rules to mail correspondence. There are always rules! Limits on the number of photos, color of the envelope, you name it… there’s a rule for it. So check online before you send a letter or keep it simple: use regular white paper & white envelope, use normal ink pens, no perfume or stickers, write your contact information in the letter and you should be just fine. You can read some more about rules on our pages PRISON EMAIL and PRISON MAIL RULES.
Talk to a prisoner
Now let’s talk about what to say to your prison pen pal and what to talk to a prisoner about. Writing to someone new can be difficult and many wonders what to write to an inmate. Re-read the profile and see what things you have in common. Keep your conversation positive & friendly and you should be off to a good start. Introduce yourself just as you would anyone else you might meet. You may have questions about the crime they committed, but keep those on hold for a bit while you get to know the person. Of course you have the right to ask, but let that come out as you get to know each other.
If you take the time to delve into the mind and heart of your new friend you will probably be amazed at the intelligence, warmth and sincerity of the person. As your prison friendship grows you will both end up sharing many thoughts, secrets and experiences. Take the time to share things about yourself, your likes, your career, your hometown, your favorite books, movies, or music. Find common ground and build from there. Unfortunately, there are scammers out there. So please use caution & common sense as with meeting any new person.
If you find that you do not have anything in common… let them know. It’s better to be honest in the beginning, even if it may hurt the person you reached out to. Disappearing without a word can be heartbreaking for anyone, especially someone who has little contact with the outside world. So if you decide that you don’t want to correspond anymore, please let them know. We should all treat others as you would want to be treated.
Other ways to communicate with a prisoner
As your friendship progresses you may want to explore the possibility of telephone communication. It’s best to discuss this with your new friend, so they can give you the details on how to start the process. Most facilities use GTL. However, some use SecurusTech.net, which now owns Jpay. Phone calls are limited and each facility has its own rules.
Pen pals can also make calls that are FREE to you, but are paid for with funds from their own phone accounts (if they have available funds). Various institutions and states all have different rates, so check with the DRC website for the facility you are inquiring about and you should find all the pertinent information there.
Other ideas and ways of reaching out are gifts. We’re not talking about sending money, but everyone loves a surprise from a thoughtful friend. One way to send a little love without breaking the bank is by sending books through Amazon or purchasing music/media through Jpay or GTL. Books cost as little as a couple dollars. If you have Amazon prime the shipping is FREE!
Whether you have a few minutes or endless hours to fill, whether you can afford a postage stamp or not, we will help get your correspondence started. Don’t let the opportunity for a new friendship pass you by. There is someone out there who is waiting to hear from you.