How do you find out if someone IS an inmate?

StarlightMoonlight · #1 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 07:42 PM

Ok, I have no problem writing to inmates, thats a given, otherwise I wouldn't be here. However, in the last few years, I've been slowly limiting my contact with them, to the one's I've been writing to the longest (5-10 years). I enjoy pen palling, 95% of my pen pals however are NOT inmates. I recently got a letter from a gentleman in WI. He wrote from a P.O Box, said he saw a personal ad of mine, and was replying to it. The reason for me wondering if he is an inmate is because the publication he saw me in is Kelch Enterprises. Long story short I thought they were a pen pal mag, and placed an ad (the ad they sent me said, send in your photo, we'll publish for free) but they were actually a singles/romance publication. 99% of the replies I got from that ad were from inmates, or VERY old men (I'm talking guys in the 80's!!!!!). This guy says he's 31, single etc, and to be honest, he sounds sweet and I wouldn't mind getting to know him. But I want to be sure first if he's in prison/jail. There was no prison stamp, or DOC # on the letter. He's in WI and it appears that they don't have an offender look-up site (unless there's one I'm not aware of?). Can anyone help? Thanks guys!!!

Xray48 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 08:50 PM

It sounds, to me, like he's a free man. If the letter came from a prison, I'm sure that thee would be a sign somewhere. Many have a stamp on the outside of the envelope. My Texas PP's letters had a little slip of paper saying that it was from TDCJ (Texas Department of Corrective Justice) and they took no responsibility for it's contents, nor my life.
So, that would be my guess. No stamp = no prison.
Sounds pretty exciting, though. :-) Have fun.

Daphné · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 04:19 AM

I agress with Xray.

You can also put his name in the "Inmate Locator" of the DOC of the State where the letter comes from...

Let us know !

Daphné · #4 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 04:19 AM

Hey, you know, he could have just read his Grand Pa's magazine..... ???

whiterose · #5 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 05:09 AM

i think he isn't a prisoner maybe he was because of the place where he found yo
maybe you can call the prison if you realy want to know.

Locations of inmates and related offender information can be found by contacting the DOC Records Office at (608) 240-3750.

hugs,whiterose.

ASE · #6 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 09:55 AM

A couple things TDC does not stamp or put a slip of paper in the envelope it depends on the unit . other DOCs might or might not depending on how the do things.
Some DOC use a PO Box for prisoner mail It really is just a way to sort incoming mail and not a PO BOX that we have many companies do this also .

Some sates CA for example does not have a on line locater for security reasons So it might be hardto know .
Beyond that I have no idea I personally would not respond to them

ASE · #7 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 09:57 AM

OH No offender number then it is probably not a prisoner . That seems to be required at least in the US

dragonfly · #8 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 10:08 AM

agree with everyone else sounds like a free man hopefully not a weirdo considering you said most of your replys came from eldely men

~ Macy ~ · #9 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 05:00 PM

Somewhow I find it odd that a person would purposely write he's in prison when it isn't true? Like being in prison would be an incentive to be interested in having him as a penpal?

But anyways, did you at least check if the PO Box matches any of the Wisconsin prison addresses? That would be a major clue that he's telling the truth. Also, you could try to find him on www.vinelink.com.

~ Macy ~ · #10 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 05:48 PM

Okay, I just re-read your post again and now I get it... He never said he was in prison? Then my guess is that he isn't - just check the website I gave you to be sure.