Across Our Desk
We wanted to create this section to anonymously share
some interesting letters and emails that we receive around here on a
daily basis. We wanted to share how WriteAPrisoner.com and incarceration
impacts so many lives. This section provides some insight into the
behind-the-scenes stories we regularly encounter.
From an inmate in Tennessee Colony, TX
have gained a sincere friend and maybe the future
will bring more. Who knows? I’d like to say thank you because it gave me
hope again. And that was something that was lost.
From an inmate in Forrest City, AR
I had great success being a member of this web site.
I met people in a lot of different places that are very outgoing. And
yes, I have fallen in love with someone and we are looking into
marriage. Thanks for y’all’s service.
From an inmate in Suffield, CT
Although my new found friend would rather remain
anonymous, I can and will say with absolutely certainty that your site
and services are very effective, efficient and professional. I respect
and appreciate what you people do for the incarcerated. Too often we are
forgotten and/or discarded as worthless, and yet your site proves over
and over again that not all people see us as less than human…but, on the
contrary, that we are also just that – humans! Humans who have made
costly mistakes and yet we too deserve 2nd chances at redemption.
Again, thank you! I highly respect and appreciate what y’all do. Best
wishes and success.
From an inmate in Greenville, IL
I have met several interesting people on this web
site and they have made my time go by so much easier. There are a lot of
good people in the world and this web site has helped me branch out and
meet new people all over the world! I have too many special pen pals to
list just one! Special thanks to the staff at WriteAPrisoner.com and
thanks to my new friends who have taken the time out to write and warm
this heart of mine. Thanks, you are cherished friends and always will
be!
From an inmate in Susanville, CA
My friend has provided me with a general well-being,
has helped with my education and has become a very special friend. There
is a definite connection and we have many things in common, which is
absolutely great. We, indeed, have made plans for the future. In the
meantime we are furthering our education and continue to support each
other towards positive goals in our lives which could possibly bring us
closer together. For us the future is wide open and we plan to see some
of our great country’s magnificent sights in each other’s company. Where
it will lead from there will be fully upon our decision at that time.
However I do see our friendship at this moment what we’ve found and
believe is something very good in which every one of us seeks to find. I
am very happy with your assistance and your business. I absolutely
recommend your services and can say honestly that you provide a great
service. I thank you very much and will indeed contact you upon any
further need. Thanks again.
From an inmate in Tabor City, NC
Thank you for your help. I would like to point out
that writing someone from prison can be one of the hardest things to do
when you have nothing but the best of intentions. In not so many words,
it can have you, as a prisoner, almost feeling really bad that you’re
not able to actually give back the amount of love you wish to share in
return and also causes you to hesitate whether it’s okay to actually
place another in the position of loving/caring for someone locked up. It
is very tricky and deals with real feelings and emotions. I almost
wanted to delete myself off before things could get out of hand so to
speak because it’s hard for me to not feel something towards another who
shows affection and love at the lowest time in my life. I
understand that some of the people who have written are dealing with the
same but different situations and having this site offers them to find
understanding and compassion as well. I met some really nice females,
some that would have me really, really feeling sickness of not being
free. One in particular came into my life and just swept me away and I
felt and feel she understands my situation and even if it doesn’t
develop to any more than a friendship I feel in debt to her. She
supports many of my goals and I feel a true sense that she really wants
to see me complete some. I feel a deep connection with her and one of
the best things is she lives right here in North Carolina. She is
beautiful, with an awesome smile and a really awesome sense of humor and
I’m allowed to act myself, whether it be a bad day or expressing myself
in the silliest ways. I have been blessed with a super cool talent and I
never knew that it existed until I came to prison. Over the years I have
done my best to perfect it and have…somewhat. Now my mind sees bigger
things in life and the person supports me in all my aspirations. I will
be completing a drawing book sometime next year. She has been a huge
help so far due to me not having anybody to support me and recognize my
talent but she does.
From an inmate in Trenton, NJ
I have received letters from several people and have
become friend with them all. Thank you for your service! I will use it
again and definitely will recommend you to everyone here who is lonely.
From an inmate in Only, TN
I netted two pen pals and with one of them I’ve found
a strong, unique connection. Romantic? It’s too soon to tell, really but
there’s an attraction there, and I fully expect her to still be around
when/if I get out. I’ve been locked up for almost 20 years and in all
that time I’ve lived without physical intimacy. I’m not gay, and I’ve
had no woman to visit me. That has injured and warped me. I spent most
of my 20’s and all of my 30’s without so much as a hug, a kiss, a shared
glance across a crowded room. This will turn you into a monster if you
let it. Having a compatible female pen pal hasn’t healed me overnight
but it’s a start. Maybe it’s possible to regain my humanity after all.
Thank you.
From an inmate in Jonesville, VA
1. Has pushed me into pursuing my dream as a fitness
trainer…
2. Has kept me sane and above the water…also keeps me focused…
3. They want to come see me and want to build a relationship…
Anyway, we’ve been writing each other for almost a year…and it’s been
pure bliss from the very beginning. She understands my position and is
down for me every step of the way. All she wants from me is to strive in
order to further my educational status. Is it love? It’s more than that.
Thank you WriteAPrisoner, you guys are the best…
From an inmate in Las Vegas, NV
My pen pal rocks! All because of your web site I got
a wonderful pen pal! You guys are so trustworthy and so consistent and I
have nothing but WriteAPrisoner to thank.
From an inmate in Dayton, OH
I have been on your site since March of 2012 and I
love it. I love the mail from all over the world. It’s so cool to learn
about different cultures. However, just a few months ago a man from
right here wrote me a letter. I wrote back and we became fast friends!
He has become such a good friend to me! He actually comes to see me
every Saturday night! I now look forward to Saturday nights as “date
night”. We have the best time talking and laughing over vending machine
junk food. Thank you so much, WriteAPrisoner.com!
From an inmate in Draper, UT
My pen pal’s helped me with my mental well being!
Aided me in my endeavors, opened me up as a person, my true self rather
than being a mistake of a man! All of it has helped me grow as a person.
Thanks. We’ve become best of friends! Nothing more, nothing less… Don’t
plan to meet upon release due to distance and whereabouts.
From an inmate in Iowa Park, TX
My pen pal has been very supportive in assisting me
to prepare for my release and says to tell you, “Thank you”, as I do
also! It was a pleasure doing business with you! God bless you!
From a pen pal in the United States
Hi! I'm a 20 year old student at the University of
Vermont where I study Political Science and Environmental Studies. I
love Vermont (although it gets REALLY cold) and have found some of the
best friends I could have ever asked for through my sorority of which I
am the president. Our Philanthropy is literacy, and I'm trying to adopt
Books Behind Bars as our new program. I respect the bravery you have to
turn a terrible situation into a more bearable one by reaching out to
people like me. Best, K.
From an inmate in San Quentin, CA
Hello. I’ve been a strong supporter of
WriteAPrisoner.com for several years. I’ve received countless emails and
letters due to being on your site and I’ve developed many friendships.
In all appreciation I’ve only had good happen to me while being on your
site. Thank you very much. With respect, A. P.
From an inmate in Milton, FL
Hello! My name is L. M. and I am currently in one of
Florida’s prisons. I received information about your Back to Work
program. When I get out it will be 10 years that I’ve been gone from the
streets on June 2, 2011, which is my release date. I really don’t care
what type of job you help me get I just want to work so that I won’t end
up back in a place like this. I don’t care where I have to relocate to,
to work; I just want to work somewhere. I’m just trying to start my life
over and do the right thing. Sincerely, L.
From the wife an inmate on WriteAPrisoner.com
Thank you so much for posting my husband’s
information on your website. It is a great thing for people who are
incarcerated to have a different avenue to meet new people. I work in
corrections, so I know how lonely it can get for them. I am trying to
form avenues for corrections to realize that there needs to be more
rehabilitation for convicted felons inside of the prison so when they
are integrated back into society they will know how to function and
never have to return. Although prison will continue to be a revolving
door, I one day hope that I can make a change.
From a Probation Officer (email)
Can a person apply for the scholarship of children
with incarcerated parents if they have a GED? I noticed you have a GPA
requirement – and certified transcripts are requested. Will a certified
GED certificate work? I was also wondering if a person has a GED, and
therefore no teacher or counselor to submit a letter of recommendation –
can a probation officer write the letter? (Editor’s note: The answer is
yes.)
From a Pen Pal (email)
As I am presently taking a class “Rehabilitation of
the Offender.” It becomes more and more clear to me, just how important
contact with the outside society is to the success of the rehabilitation
processes. Thanks to your writing program, I have a truly beautiful
story to tell; furthermore, a person’s life has been changed forever. I
am deeply committed to continuing my efforts, and will continue.. Change
is a beautiful thing. Very Sincerely, L. V.
From a Pen Pal (email)
My name is I. and I am a pen pal to an inmate…In days
like these with little or no rehab or work force vocational training
going on within the prisons especially in California, due to lack of
funds they say, there is a great need for prisoners who are leaving
prison to have assistance with finding and training for a job. It’s hard
to find a job now anyway, outside of the fact that these men must face
the world as an ex-con. We must do all we can to assist others to fit
back into society and to stay on the straight and narrow road to a safer
and healthier, happy life.
From a Pen Pal in England (email)
My name is T. and I have been a prison pen pal for
over 15 years now and I feel that it is very important to do all we can
to help prisoners to integrate back into the real world. I feel also
that prisoners are not something that can just be put into a cell and
forgotten about as they need contact with people from the outside. From
the ex-prisoners I have become friends with it has proved very important
to them also to have contact with people from the outside. Thank you for
your time. Respectfully yours, T. T.
From a Pen Pal in the U. K. (email)
Hi, I’ve been a pen pal since September 2009 and have
been writing to one inmate at MCI Concord since then. I’ve sent him
books on certain fields that he is interested in working in, and on his
release he would be happy to wait tables. Due to your site, he now has a
real reason for living. He is determined to become a better man and will
NOT ever be returning to jail. Well done for all your hard work, not
only have you changed his life, you have changed mine too and I will be
forever grateful for that. Kindest regards, Z. R.
From a Pen Pal (email)
I currently write to a gentleman incarcerated in
Arizona at Lewis Prison, and a close friend who is incarcerated in a
Federal Prison in Milan, Michigan. I have been writing to these
gentlemen for approximately 2 years, both still have about 2 years left
on their sentence. I have been pleasantly surprised and impressed with
their writing abilities as far as poetry, and some personal life
stories, considering one never graduated from high school and neither
have any college experience. Both have become model prisoners and have
every intention of heading on a different path once released. Sincerely,
P. S.
From a member of our forum
I started writing to a prisoner in January 2011. He
had been in prison for 7 years. We started writing letters every 2
weeks. Anyway, he got out of prison I think about 3 months ago now. He’s
doing really well. He starts college in the next few months. Just wanted
to share that.
From an inmate in Coleman, FL
MAIL CALL is very important as well as phone calls as
you well know. Thank you for thinking about all of us that are in
prison. We all appreciate your support. S. M.
From an inmate in Hillsboro, IL
First of all, I just wanted to say that I think your
service is outstanding! I never cease to tell everyone I meet about your
great website and the overwhelming response I have received since
putting my profile on it. Thank you for doing what you do!
At this time I am requesting, however, that you
please remove my profile from your site. I have met an amazing woman who
fulfills all of my needs mentally, spiritually, and intellectually. And
I simply cannot take on any new pen pals. I could not be happier with
the quality of your service, but my plate is full. Again, thank you
sincerely, B. L.
From an inmate in Eddyville, KY
Your web site has helped with a lot of things but
most important, housing, employment and helping pass the rest of my
prison time. Only 8 more months left and I have a lot of good friends to
write because of WriteAPrisoner. WriteAPrisoner has been an awesome pen
pal site. I really enjoyed being on there, but due to being overflowed
with mail, “too much mail” LOL I had to remove my profile. Besides I’m
meeting a lot of great friends. Thanks. E. R.
From an inmate in Tennessee Colony, TX
WriteAPrisoner.com is a wonderful service for those
of us who are incarcerated. They provide a platform for millions of
people to reach out to us. Through this service I now have a purpose for
utilizing all that is available to insure I am a productive member of
society upon my release. R. G.
From an inmate in Ione, CA to the Better
Business Bureau
To the Better Business Bureau - I would like to let
you know that WriteAPrisoner.com has been a Godsend in my life. Through
their services I was able to meet a woman. We both fell in love – since
then I am focused to do good. We plan on marriage and building a life
together – prison can keep what they have to offer, which is nothing.
WriteAPrisoner.com has given me a new life, full of love and a desire to
be a better person, making better decisions for my life. Thank you for
everything. M. C.
From an inmate in Canon City, CO
To whom this letter may concern, WriteAPrisoner is
one of the best websites offering help to the incarcerated, looking to
help ease the separation from society. This website has done more than
the majority of any pen pal websites and I highly recommend this place
to anyone. T. P.
From an inmate in Livingston, TX
Greetings & my utmost respects, I’d like to thank you
very much for all your services. You are true to your word. I did start
receiving mail. I’m very grateful for web sites like this one. As a man
confined to a cage 24/7 the mind can become your worst enemy and by this
site’s service I have been fortunate to find one true friend. Thank you
so very much. Regards, J. G.
From an inmate in Glenville, WV
Hello, my name is B. D. I was placed on this site,
WriteAPrisoner.com early this year. This site brought me hope in my
life. I was in here at the lowest point of my life and found a person
who showed me how to love again; someone that has taught me to never
give up. This site in many ways saved my life. Many times I felt like
giving up. I’ve found a woman who now is my wife to never give up, be
the person I am. Thank you so much, WriteAPrisoner.com. B.D.
From an inmate in West Liberty, KY
Your service is a gift. Please continue giving. It’s
sad that so many Americans are incarcerated, but your service gives us
hope. Your service does an important work for a forgotten community of
people. That in turn helps all communities of this country. D. B.
From an inmate in Hondo, TX
My pen pals did help me with mental wellbeing. Some
offered help with housing and other things. J. M.
From an inmate in Centralia, IL
WriteAPrisoner.com rocks. Half my life in prison, all
I can say is that I wish I knew of WriteAPrisoner.com many years ago.
This is the only prison pen pal site that I will ever recommend.
WriteAPrisoner.com is the real deal. After 16 years of my life
incarcerated I have been on several prison pen pal web sites – but no
results… I’ve been on WriteAPrisoner for what? Less than 3 months! And I
am requesting to have my profile removed! That says a lot about your
service. W. C.
From an inmate in Canon City, CO
To Whom It May Concern: First and foremost I want to
thank you for your services and the opportunity to meet new friends. I
am very grateful for the people who reached out to me through
WriteAPrisoner.com. I’ve learned that people have unconditional love &
are very understanding...through these very difficult circumstances.
I’ve also learned that no matter how many bad days you have – someone
out there always has time to lift up your spirits. I really appreciate
to have met genuine people who are looking to put a smile on your face.
Once again I thank you & the people who reach out to us – God bless you
all! WriteAPrisoner.com has given me hope and it’s opened up new
friendships that only I can say are truly genuine. I recommend
WriteAPrisoner.com to family and friends. J. T.
From an inmate in Bland, VA
Not only did I meet the love of my life thanks to
your awesome site I now have a home and life waiting for me upon my
release. A beautiful love to share my dreams with! I met the best thing
that’s ever happened to me. WriteAPrisoner.com is not only the best pen
pal site on the planet, people don’t understand what positive energy
they bring to people and all the hope people find from being on their
site. They truly are the classic definition for awesome. P. K.
From an inmate in West Liberty, KY
I am writing you this letter to ask you to please
remove my profile from your web site. I have found someone truly special
and would like to thank you and your services for making this possible.
I will continue to recommend you to others and hope those I recommend
are as fortunate as I am. Thank you for your time and wonderful service.
Also, was helped with employment and housing upon my release. I received
great service and was able to meet someone truly wonderful. J. F.
From an online pen pal in Oregon
J.P. You don't know me but you have probably heard of
me from your father. My name is R., I am 38 and the oldest of the W.
children. I didn't meet our father until I was 31. To my surprise I now
have brothers and sisters I have never known. This must be a lucky month
for the both of us, as you are soon to be released and I have found you
here and our dad on Facebook. I just want you to know that you are not
alone. I have made my fair share of mistakes and no judgment will be
passed by this new brother. The only thing we can do is to admit to our
wrongs and do what we can to make them right, and continue to move
forward in this life. I don’t expect anything other than a friendship
between brothers. However, I do expect to see you on the correct path,
which leads to your success. You and I share our father’s genes, so I
know just how strong you can be. Just know that no matter what, you have
a brother that cares. R. D.
From a pen pal’s email forward in Portland,
OR
Wow I can't believe I found you.... Hello D. it's
your dad, L. I have been searching for you for a very long time. I
LOOKED AT YOUR PICTURES you still look like the same little kid I met at
J. youth when you were just about 11 years old. I hope to hear back from
you. We have a lot to talk about. Love L. W. (Dad)
A letter from an inmate in Delano, CA
This service has been a complete success and far
surpassed any expectation I had going into this and had a profound
effect on my attitude towards society and toward my own rehabilitation.
At one point I was ready to cancel the ad due to lack of responses, and
this service encouraged me to hang in there. I did and met the woman of
my dreams. We started as friends and have since become engaged. I’m
asking removal because I found all I need in one woman!
WriteAPrisoner.com works and is a positive tool for all, including
society as a whole. S. L.
A letter from an inmate in Panama City, FL
Dear Mr. Lovell
I’ll make this short as I’m sure your time is valuable. I just want to
thank you for righting the foolish restrictions on pen pals sites that
DOC enforces. I understand that some will abuse the privilege and
inevitably someone will be taken advantage of. However that is not
justification for limiting an inmate’s access to the outside world.
Letters are therapeutic in more ways than I have the time to name. It
(writing) keeps an inmate’s mind on society rather than the dreary,
depressive and counterproductive prison environment. Anyone that has
done time can tell you, the guys that spend their time writing are
rarely involved in any sort of trouble. I will stop boring you now with
points that I am sure you are well aware of. More so than myself.
So again, thank you. You are fighting something that few inmates would
have the resources to challenge. You are appreciated more than you know.
I’m also including a profile. After reading the Orlando article about
your lawsuit I was determined to support your company in any way I can.
My father will be sending the check. It could possibly have already
arrived. It will be sent from an A. W. along with a picture of me.
Thank you,
R. W.
A letter from an inmate in Danville, IL
Subject: Satisfied Services Rendered Complete.
I am writing to you today to ask to remove my ad page on your website. I
have a home to parole to now thanks in part to your services. I also
have many new friends around the nation. Most wrote directly to me.
I should have signed up years ago. Anyway, thank you for services, I am
completely satisfied. You can verify that I am no longer in prison by
going to the IDOC website, it will say something like, “Parole Region”.
I am…
Sincerely,
B. M.
An email from a family member of an inmate in
Bowling Green, MO
I am having a problem with NECC in Bowling Green, MO.
I uploaded a profile for my nephew, C. P. He was told that he had 30
days to remove this profile (on WAP.com) otherwise, he would be in
violation and he needed to show them proof that it has been taken off. I
read on your FAQs that it’s their 1st amendment right to receive mail,
but my nephew’s having problems with the staff there. I’m afraid that if
he doesn’t take his profile off, they will really penalize him. He is in
solitary and he really wanted a pen pal. If you knew my nephew, you
would know how difficult it was for him to ask me to create a profile
for him. By him asking, I know that he is extremely lonely and he really
needs to talk to someone. What do I do? Do I take his profile off so he
doesn’t get in trouble? By doing that, I’m afraid he’s going to go in a
deep depression. I feel horrible for him and I really need help. Please
advise. Thanks for all of your help. I appreciate you being here.
A letter from an inmate in Represa, CA
Dear Sir/Ms.,
I am writing to request that you send me a few of your brochures. I used
your service in 2002 or so and I was very happy with your service and
results. I am happy to say that I am still corresponding with a few
people that I met from your site! I haven’t used your service since then
and I am not sure how much things have changed so would you please send
me some of your brochures so that I can write up a new add and if
possible please send a few more (4 or 5) because I know more than a few
people that are also interested in using your service. Thank you for
your time and help with this matter.
Sincerely,
J. M.
A letter from an inmate in Loretto, PA
Dear WriteAPrisoner.com,
I just wanted to write to express my complete gratitude for your
service. I want to thank you so much for facilitating the reconnection
between me and the love of my life!
I thought I had lost her forever back in 1997. Well she found out I was
in prison and she immediately began to search for me and she found my
profile on your website! The pictures confirmed it was me and we have
been getting to know each other ever since November.
I can’t thank you enough for the amazing service you provide inmates
like myself. Your service is second to none. I always tell others about
it!
Can you please change my status from single to in a relationship, or
whatever the opposite of single is? Thanks for all you do!
Sincerely,
M. R.
An email from a family member of an inmate
I just wanted to thank you guys because my siblings
and I have found our younger brother on your site after over 20 years.
Thank you for helping us see A. And all mail henceforth will be by USPS.
A letter from a former inmate of the Florida
Department of Corrections
I just wanted to ask Adam if there is any way I can
be a part of the Trial that is going to happen coming up. I have
firsthand knowledge of the system and was just release January 7, 2010.
Women are getting DR’s for pen pal web sites and extending their time
over it. Is that really helping the already sinking budget they have?
They can barely afford to feed the women, now they are extending their
time due to pen pal restrictions. The inmates brought back the
Stationery and Colored Envelopes because they KNEW they couldn’t keep
them from getting mail that was allowed before. What can I do to help
the cause? A personal letter or testimonial? I know the morale is way up
when you get a letter from a perfect stranger.
A letter from a family member of an inmate
I want to thank you so much for being able to meet my
husband and the father of my son J. D. He passed 3 almost 4 years ago
but we first met on here. He was and always will be my soul mate, father
of my child and forever in our hearts!
A letter from an inmate in Jamestown, CA
Dear Writeaprisoner.com,
I want to take this time to thank you for your service. My story is for
a “Life Time” movie.
I started out wanting to find women to write to as I did my prison time,
I was looking for one woman that could or want to help with my new
daughter, a pen pal or mate.
Many women wrote me, some wanting money or postage stamps for hot photo
or sexy letters. My being a man I wrote a few. I even sent stamps out to
some. Then I received a letter from M. from Modesto, California. We have
been writing for months and I saw her again today. She is part of my
family now and just loves my daughter and my mother. But that’s not the
“Life Time” movie. A month ago I received a letter from S. M., you also
sent me an email from her too.
Well it turns out S. is my 32 year old daughter I didn’t know I had. She
found me on WrietAPrisoner.com. Her mother was my girl friend in the
70’s and she had been looking for me all her life but it took
WriteAPrisoner.com to find me.
I’m so happy, I have a daughter and 3 grandsons and will visit soon too.
S. is thankful that I put myself on that web page. Without your help I
would not have the family I have now.
What can I do for you? I have been in and out of prisons for over 30
years, 7 times. This life of mine has sucked and kids should hear how
it’s going to be if they don’t walk right. Let me know if you want my
story.
Again thank you for my family.
J. W.
An e-mail forward from a member of the
community to an inmate on our website
Hi! I just got out myself and this site was good to
me so I wanna give back. I’ll write you for as long as I’m doing good.
If I ever fell off you know I went back to the life. I don’t plan on
that though so I hope you’ll write back.
An e-mail forward from a member of the
community to an inmate on our website
Hi, my name is S.. I’m looking for a J. W. and wasn’t
sure if you were him. The One I’m looking for his middle name is F,
mom’s name M. Lived in or around the La Puente Area in the 70’s. His
Nickname was J. B. He dated a R. C. in the 70s. Anyway this site doesn’t
give me lots of info so I thought I’d write you to find out if that was
you. My mother is R. C. I have never met my biological father and she
says his name is J. F. W. but that’s about all the info I have gotten
from her. Anyways, thanks for your time. Please write back. Thanks S.
An e-mail forward from a member of the
community to an inmate on our website
Hello S! My name is H. and I’m up late messing around
on the computer and pulled up WAP and seen your ad. I know about this
site because not 2 long ago I was on it. So when I say I know what
you’re going through I’m serious. You probably already know that your
pic caught my attention, but after reading your words I had 2 send you
some luv. Hearing R. at mail call feels good, huh? You got my address
and if you want 2 hit back its cool and if not it’s cool also. Continue
2 hold your head high, use something within everyday as a learning
experience, and be grateful that you have a date. It’s out here waiting
on you! All you gotta do is make it through! And tell them female
soldiers 2 take it 1 day at a time and they’ll be home 2 their kids,
family and what few true friends they have. Take care…