Con-Connections & Letters Behind Bars

[dotinthesky]

Prisoners looking for Pen Pals, including gay & lesbians.

stickblackdress has already sent off her letter to one of them and, after having a look through the listings, I'm now tempted too! Not out of a sense to have a laugh, but more because I love to write (and receive) letters. Surely this is a fool-proof way to meet some people with very different life experiences?

I remember I once almost wrote to Charles Manson. I'd found out his address and was ready to write him a letter but, at the last minute, friends freaked out and thought he'd be able to persuade me to do crazy things through his letters. So they put down their feet in a collective thud and prohibited me from writing to him. Incredibly silly stuff now that I look back and think about it.

I would be curious to know whether anyone else on my friends list has ever corresponded with prisoners?

Ed: I didn't want to write to Charles Manson because I thought he was cool or anything like that. It was more because his address was available and (I think the article) mentioned he wanted pen pals. It was one of those dumb ideas, I guess, that I get every fortnight.

Comments

[ephemeritis.livejournal.com]

I've considered writing to prisoners before, mainly for the same reasons as you (I love writing and receiving letters, and sharing different experiences with people - I think learning what prison life is like from an actual prisoner would be pretty interesting). I'd be wary about using my own address, though, as opposed to a PO Box, in case they get out and try to find me.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Good point! These seem to be all in the U.S., but you never know. There's also a listing of prisoners with life sentences, or sentenced to death. I guess these people are very hungry for someone in the outside world to show some wish to contact them... I think it could be a cool experience.