I was curious about everyone's perceptions of an inmate's proclamation of guilt or innocence. Many ads state something to the effect of "wrongly convicted" and I must admit I find myself glossing over that part. I know some inmates are innocent and I also understand many might say that because they believe otherwise no one would write them or for legal issues.

I found an ad the other day and was refreshingly surprised and pleased to see an inmate who was unafraid to admit his guilt and mistakes made in his past and express his regret for his past - I actually appreciated this more. What do you think?

I deliberately only write to people who have accepted their mistake, and are ready to make changes.

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When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!!!!!

I'm sure that there are people in prison who are actually innocent, but not to the extend that I see in the ads So when I look for a new penpal, I tend to skip the people who say that they are innocent. I'd rather write to a person who admits responsibility for his actions than to come across one who's still in denial But that's just me...

i would rather write to someone that doesnt mention anything or that they made a mistake in life and are ready to change it. my pp hasnt said anything to me about being guilty or innocent. he does claim he is innocent though. i have read stories on the internet about him and it also says they do not have enough proof to prove he did anything either. so, i think i believe he is innocent. he doesnt know though.

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~DON'T LET THE LIGHT SKIN FOOL YOU~

Oof, I thought I was the only one who skipped ads when inmates say they are innocent.
OK, there are some people wrongly convicted, but, surely not so many that say it in their ads.

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Kind regards,

Karin, Belgium

It's funny to me why you think because one has said in their ad they are innocent you would pass them over and assume they are guilty , but have not come to acceptance yet. I think that is very presumptuous and judgemental. (being honest)

I do not sit and scan over the ads much any more, but i really do have a belief that many in America sit in prison that are innocent of the crimes they are charged with. Epsecially after reading and watching a lot of documentaries on this subject. Many will even confess and accept a plea bargin even if they have not committed the crime because they have an understanding of the SYSTEM, most have lived within it all their lives.
Then there are those that have refused to except a plea bargin because they are truly INNOCENT and have great faith the truth will set them free. No i still have a belief that some people are telling the truth from their PERCEPTION and not just false words. Too many cases have been recorded as FACT. Even on Death Row, albiet a small majority.
Then you have those that come under the conviction of Law of Parties. Sex offenders that have consensual sex under age, be that aware or unaware of the other persons age. Their is just so much that can be twisted and called FACTS.
I do though have the belief that most people that reside behind the walls are guilty as charged. I think you would be really ignorant if you thought ALL were guilty as charged.

Look at Ruben Carter and his case. Imagine for a minute you have been wrongfully charged and convicted and you sit behind prison walls, for life. Can you imagine how it would feel to hear people say they deliberately do not stop to look at your written words, because they believe you are not taking responsibliity for your actions? I don't know why i am surprised to hear people say this, but i am. Hope you take the time to look and read the link and more......

http://lawweb.colorado.edu/profiles/...TCL-Furman.pdf

Smiley,

I'm not saying that I automatically assume that people are guilty when they proclaim their innocence in their ads - it's just that it puts me off writing them when they say they are innocent. I would rather write someone who admits he's guilty than someone who's in denial. Seeing as though I don't want to spend hours searching the web looking for information to see if I feel they are innocent, it's easier to skip the ad and move to the next one who doesn't state anything about being guilty or innocent. (It makes perfect sense in my head )

So...I know there are innocent people in prison and if a person says he's innocent, it could be true. But it could be not true. And in order to avoid the people who are truly in denial (and are guilty of the crime), it's easier to skip all ads. Anyway, it's all hypothetical, because I'm busy enough as it is with my one pal, so I'm not even looking at new ads.

Zosja... I understood what you said in your first post, but thanks for taking the time to make it very clear to me.

Smiley,

i think you somehow misunderstood what I am saying;
I do not write when they say it in their ads ... and, yes, I probably do believe that there are people who are really not guilty and are in prison (and others who use this to say quickly that they are not guilty but they are also. there are not only angels in prison, but also people who really did a mistake in their life. And for me, it doesn't matter what they did, but, ... ), but, I prefer to people not to write it in their ads. I think it is something that nees more explanation than just an ad, to come over really reliable.
Maybe, I am just a difficult person.

And well, I do look through the ads sometimes not really to write,

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Kind regards,

Karin, Belgium

karin, i didn't actually see your post before i made my comment.