I wrote all of my pals for a different reason. The common denominator in all of my pals would be the length of time they have to serve, and the crimes.

I chose inmates who had long sentences and inmates who were not incarcerated for sex crimes or crimes against children.

I chose those who had a long time to go because those are usually the ones where family and friends drift away.

I never chose anyone based on their looks. That is superficial to me. A friend is a friend regardless of how they look. It isn't what is on the outside that defines what a friend is. It is what is in the heart and soul that define a friend.

__________________

I had some idea on the type of guy I wanted to write to.
1. Close in age with me...its just easier to relate on things we talk about (I'll be 21, he's 25)
2. I wanted a guy whose somewhat attractive (he's gorgeous hehe)
3. I wanted a lifer. Not because his crime is "glamourous" or anything, but lifers won't have any chance at a "real" relationship (at least not for a long long time) whereas people who go in for like 1-10 years will get out without not much time in, and will resume their normal lives back on the outside....I wanted to give a lifer hope.

*Monroe*

__________________
be nice to the people on your way up,because you will meet them again on your way down

well I picked a guy for the same reason as mattelmade, women already get so much mail. I just kept searching until I just...I dunno, I wasn't even searching for anything presice, just someone that made me feel like writing back. His ad was quite short, I liked it because his ad was the only one among many ads that didn't say stuff like "I'd like to find a lady bla bla bla..." he didn't even ask for someone to write him. just said that hopefully he'll find new friends this way. it just grabbed my attention. The other penpal seemed like someone honest, who I could trust and who wouldn't toy with me. I appreciated (and still do of course) his way of thinking.

__________________
Life is a gift. Listen to your heart!

I wanted a pal in the same state as me and someone who was kinda around my age. I picked mine cuz he didn't try to justify anything he did. He seemed straight to the point and it didn't seem like he was looking for a relationship. When I was looking for a pal i have to admit that looks did matter. I was not looking for a hottie I wanted someone that had kind eyes. someone that i wouldn't be afraid to run into in a dark alley ya know.

LOL, Ash.

I do the same though. When i cant find a thread, it get annoyed and start a new one LOL

__________________
this mod needs coffee

In the beginning I chose Native Americans because (1) they could teach me about their culture and (2) because the precentages of NAs in state prisons is much higher than the percentage of NAs in that state. All the pals I have chosen from ads have been because of what they said or how they said it. If they have a sense of humor - it gets me every time.

Like Skye said every on chooses a friend even in the free world for different reasons . Other than them being close to my age and not sexualizing what they say I had no criteria .

IF and that for now is a huge IF I choose to write any one I would choose some one who has a case they are working on and I can read as much as possible on the case and issues . I have read about a case in TX involving the Law of Parties as it is popularly called. . With it going into details .The woman and at least another person did not conspire or agree to commit a crime but once three others both agreed to and acted on their plan , in TX that seems to be all it takes . No it is not DP case . But I am not sure I am feeling up to writing .
As for Women a few do get a lot of mail but most do not they are more likely to lose touch with free world family and friends than men .Some with Ads do get a lot of mail others get some but the correspondence does not last long in most cases . So you might try writing a woman the longer they have been in the less likely they have many free world contacts .

__________________
If the storm doesn't kill me
the government will

REM

I abxolutely go for the looks. When i saw him, grrrrr......so sexy......

__________________
~Live with no excuses, and love with no regrets~

No kidding, LOL. Age, picture that kind of things didnt matter to me. It where the words in the ad, and we share the same hobby's and like the same music.
He had a friendly face, and that all together made me write. I never had the intention before to go ever to the US, so looks, age, that kind of things werent important. Only common things to write about.

__________________
~Live with no excuses, and love with no regrets~