I've become aware of the games and scams that are played, and can be played on you.

I've become convinced that my visits with my "love" in Texas, are nothing more than a smooth con.

My trips are always great, but always end with a request for money.

The requests have been to send 200 here, when I ask him why, it is to bring in tobacco 200 dollars buys, 10 pouches, and makes him 550 dollars he said.

So, I became convinced, it's not about me, but about the money.

So, I've split from this situation, I only comment 'cause I know that many of you want to know what is going on with me.

Everything is alright, I'll be fine, just glad I know now, before I got involved in a real mess.

I still declare that penpals are the best.

Thanks, Tex

Your wise my friend. Keep looking.

Awww! Tex, I'm so sorry this HOPPENED but it is best to find out now. He's losing a great guy!

I will admit I feel like a mother hen when someone goes on a trip and you don't hear from them!I get worried,so THANKS for letting us know that YOU are ok!I care about ya and I don't want any money (smile).

i agree Pat...i mean we offer alot of support than people vanish after a trip and make others worry, lol. Yes, good thing you found out now Tex. Happy searching for a new pal.

Yeh Tex, none of us are looking for money from you, good to see ya back posting and sorry about the pp, his loss for sure!

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Glad to have ya back Tex!! Sorry it had to be that way but i'm glad to hear that your not giving up on pen pals.... Keep searching you'll find the right one i'm sure...It's his loss he's the one losing the best...

Tex, you said..."The requests have been to send 200 here, when I ask him why, it is to bring in tobacco 200 dollars buys, 10 pouches, and makes him 550 dollars he said.".... Tex, I don't know if you assessed the situation correctly or not. Maybe the guy was trying to save you some money in the long run? Any money he "earns" wouldn't have to come out of your pocket. Maybe he felt comfortable enough with you to ask for money? I know some of my pen pals sell the photos I send them. Of course, currency isn't allowed - but tobacco seems to be the accepted barter medium. I hope this inmate can get other pen pals after your post...

I'm told a box of Tops Tobacco cost a $1.60 and can sell it to someone for 10 stamps! Thats the going rate .Stamps are only worth .20 in there in trade. So, instead of paying 3.70 for 10 stamps you spend 1.60. Bigdog is right could make good enough profit off the two hundred and not need more money from Tex. This is what I am told about surviving inside.

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What you're missing here, "bigdog" is that what the penpal has asked Tex to do may be a FELONY. Whether tobacco is the medium of barter or not, it may be prohibited in the Texas prison system, and therefore, considered to be contraband, by State law.

Therefore, precipitating the introduction of contraband into a prison facility in Texas would be a felonious act, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Acting in a manner that contributes to any felonious criminal enterprise (sending money, for example, to finance the activity) creates the role of being a "party to the crime" of introducing contraband. Punishment for being a "party to the crime" is the same as if Tex had actually smuggled the contraband into the prison.

The cost to the outsider goes beyond the possibility of criminal prosecution. That person would be forever banned from visitation, correspondence, and telephone contact with ANY person within the Texas prison system.

With regard to the pictures being "sold" or "traded", it doesn't really take on the same character. It's likely that such things are not considered contraband in and of themselves, therefore there's no criminal act being committed by the person sending them to the inmate. What the inmate does with them upon receipt might possibly be a rules violation, but doesn't rise to the level of a criminal act on the part of the person sending the item in.

Still, you have to consider that the bartering that goes on is often sinister, and you're contributing to that. Many prisoners use their 'trade items' to purchase sexual favors, tobacco, drugs, or influence over another inmate (or conversely, protection FROM another inmate).

Accepting all of this as a "part of their ordinary life" doesn't excuse one's participation and encouragement. There is a legitimate security interest in controlling or preventing such activity, and an outsider involving themselves in it even vicariously, is contributing to the problem.