I have seen the message about Florida inmates and the problems they have receiving penpal mail. It has been over a year since I wrote to this dude in Florida and I am thinking of writing him again, but I don't know if he will get my letter. Does anyone write to FLorida inmates? If so, are they getting your letters?

Hi 4keeps,
yes I use to write to inmates in Florida and yes they get my letters. I guess the only rule for penpals is: Just don't mention that you got the address from the internet! I've never had any problems.
best regards
Anja

I also have a pal in Florida and have no problem sending or getting mail.

i'd give it another shot 4keeps...

I have a new pal in florida, I wrote him a couple months ago, and did not mention the internet ad.. I said how are you I havent seen you for so long.. blah blah blah.. and he writes me back and says I am so sorry I dont remember you! LOLOL So then I told him i didnt know him I wasnt sure how to go about writing him without mentioning the ad.. he said it was still ok to write that it is still in process to get rid of the ads. He is on Death Row, does this make a difference? Because he has ads all over the place with alot of different Death penalty organizations. So maybe it is different for DR inmates?

Hey Buds...I also write several inmates in Florida, and have for several years. I knew this was in the works long ago. There were many many complaints to the Florida AG about extortion. It is not that the inmates can no long recieve pp letters. I called the AG office and asked. It is not that inmates can no longer recieve pp letters.. it is that the INMATES CAN NO LONGER SUBSCRIBE TO PENPAL WEBS. Therefore...write away..they will recieve all. Just dont look for Florida inmates on the list unless they listed prior to Jan 1, 2004.

that's a real shame tho..it really is!! grrrr

I write to three guys in Florida. They still can get letters.

Well, I thought I'd share my response I got directly from Governor Bush's office upon sending my letters/e-mails about this ruling and how unfair it is:

"Governor Bush asked me to thank you for your letter regarding the pen pal rule change. The Department of Corrections' revised rule regarding pen pals was developed to prevent inmates from scamming innocent people. The rule change has no affect on any current pen pal relationships. The rule is intended to prohibit inmates from soliciting pen pals, but not from
corresponding with pen pals, and reads as follows:

"Inmates shall not use correspondence privileges to solicit or otherwise
commercially advertise for money, goods or services. For the purposes of this rule, this includes advertising for pen-pals; inmates are NOT prohibited from corresponding with pen pals, but shall not place ads soliciting pen-pals."

I hope this clarifies the matter and eases your concerns.

Cordially,
Ernetta P. Roberts
Liaison for Governor's Correspondence"

The person I write/wrote to in FL mentioned his ad openly.