If you are closer to one than the other or have been writing longer with one, you might want to consider cutting it off with the newer inmate or at the very least being upfront. You never know how they will react and maybe its no big deal. I think if you continue to write both and dont say anything to either one, you are really running the risk of a problem later as you may be perceived as "playing the field" or being deceitful in some way. Just my thought on it but you need to do what you feel is right.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

unless he has told his pals who he writes, there is no problem. or shouldn't be.

I have some i write to that are at the same unit. Never had a problem with it.

__________________
I need coffee

Ive heard it go both ways Lulu, so I dont know. It may never become a problem if the inmates dont communicate with one another. However it is much more likley to become an issue if they are living in the same housing unit together. All it would take is for one inmate to mention a pen pal or a name and thats that. I would imagine pen pals do get discussed from time to time amongst inmates.

Thats not to say that it would even become an issue if they knew. Maybe they wont mind. My concern would be the perception of being untruthful or manipulative by not being forthcoming with the information and waiting around for it to be discovered by accident.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Okay do you think it would be okay to let one of them know that im not comfortable writing to, two woman from the same unit. And offer a friend of mine as a pen pal, he would love to write to someone.
chris

Yeah I think thats a great idea. It also doesnt leave the one pen pal out in the cold if you are offering her another. But I would NOT let her know who the other pen pal is. Whats important is you took responsibility on your end and were forthcoming.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

thank you asha your advice really helped me out.
chris

Well by all means do what you want to do. Im only saying this is how I would handle it but I have never had this problem as i picked pals that were all pretty far away from each other in different states. It seems some people feel it really shouldnt be an issue and maybe you will only create one by saying something. I dont know. My main worry/concern is upsetting inmates and female or male, you dont want to do that. Fights can break out and people can be assaulted for less than this, thats for sure.

So please navigate this carefully. Good luck.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."