I received this from a Yahoo group I subscribe to. I'm passing this on to all my prisoner pen-pals; it's something they can do to try to change THEIR future. I have links for the U.S. Senators/House Representatives names/addresses, as well as a document in Word that's formatted and ready to send out. You just need to provide them with the representatives info and that's easy enough to add. Anybody who wants that info, go ahead and send me an e-mail (addy in profile).

Let's try to make a difference, folks!!
~Jillian~

Dear Prison Reform Advocates:

The word is out! Prisoners across this nation are writing letters to their Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C. to be mailed a few days prior to February 14 so that they will arrive on desks on Valentine's Day.

February 14, Valentine's Day, has been chosen as the day when thousands and thousands and thousands of letters from not only federal prisoners but ALL prisoners should reach congressional desks in the House and Senate office buildings. We are asking that every prisoner as well as their loved ones write letters to their state's two senators and to their representative and mail them so they will arrive in Washington, D.C. on February 14. We have asked prisoners to "tell it like it is" and write themselves to their two Senators and Representatives.

One thing I hear repeatedly when talking to members of Congress is that they didn't know about the problems in the federal prison system, because they never hear from their constituents! By far, the most effective letters are those containing your stories and talking about the reality of prison incarceration. Frankly, if reform efforts fail it will be, in large part, because prisoners have refused to do their part by writing letters to Congress.

We've undertaken a massive media campaign in order to take your message to America. I personally have been doing at least two radio talk shows each day as well as appearing on MSNBC, CNBC, Fox and other syndicated television programs. We are committed to insuring that both Congress and the American public realize that it is time for America to get Smart on Crime!

Change is not going to occur overnight. Nor is it going to occur after you write one letter. It may take hundreds of letters! One thing is for sure though – change is not going to happen at all unless Congress starts receiving letters, faxes, emails and phone calls from every last one of us.

I can't tell you how many times when I was a federal prisoner that other prisoners would say "I don't know what to write" or "I'm not very good at writing letters." Well, all they have to do is use one
of the following sample letters and copy it in their own handwriting. Form letters and petitions have little impact on Washington so use these to give you some ideas then add your personal stories to what you are writing. These sample letters all mention LERA, but if you'd like to revise them before you send them to your members, please feel free to do so. The main objective of this letter campaign is to make a show Congress that you care and that it's time for things to change!
Every time you speak with your loved one and every time you write to a prisoner, please ask him/her to spread the word that we are counting on the prisoners to help themselves and in order to do so they need to write Congress. February 2004 is when the 2.1 million prisoners in America and their loved ones letters should sent to Washington, D.C. so there is not doubt in Congress that Americans know they must be "Smart on Crime."

With Sincere Regards,
Karen S. Bond, J.D.
Director of Government Affairs

Sample letter #1

Dear Senator/Congressman (use appropriate name/address):

You are invited to come to ___________________________ and tour our facility and to chat with the prisoners here. You will learn things are different from what you've been told. You will hear about
prisoners who are refused medical assistance and so are not in good health. You will see that we are so crammed into our housing units that it is impossible for us to write letters, study, or read without disturbing others. You will be able to look at the food that is far from acceptable. You will notice that we are not living in ClubFed, far from such a resort. We ask that you do not announce your visit in advance because as a member of Congress, you have access to all BOP facilities without any prior approval.

I've been hearing about a bill entitled the Literacy, Education, and Rehabilitation Act. I sincerely hope that you are supporting this proposed legislation. LERA will benefit not only the men and women
who are deserving and responsible, prisoners who are preparing in their own rehabilitation to lead productive lives when they are released, it will save taxpayers money.

What I did was wrong. But, I am very sorry, not sorry that I was caught, but sorry that I broke the law. I am not the same person now as the one who entered this prison ______ months ago. I have
accumulated _____ credits and have a ______ GPA. I attended NA meetings every week. I have a very good work record. I am anxious to prove to my family and friends that they were right in supporting me
during this difficult time. I want to look my __________ in the eye and say, "Thank you. I owe you so much. I will not let you down."

Thank you for taking the time to pay attention to what I am saying.

Sincerely,
....................................
Sample letter #2

Dear Senator/Congressman (use appropriate name/address):

I am a prisoner at ___________________________________. I have been here since __________________________________ when I was sentenced to _____________ months in prison. This is the first time I've been in trouble with the law.
As a symbol of all those people who have stood by me during this difficult time in my life, I have chosen to write to you on Valentine's Day, because of their love for me and mine for them.

Mr. ________________, I was forced to leave ____ children behind when I came here, and I am very afraid for them. I should be at home with them, guiding them, and making sure that they don't get into
trouble and ending up in a place like this.

I am very sorry for the mistake I made. I was wrong, but now my family has to suffer because of what I did. That's not right.

I am asking that you help get the Literacy, Education, and Rehabilitation Act passed into law. LERA will increase good time for those prisoners who are doing what they are supposed to do and who
are making progress with their own rehabilitation through (vocational or college courses, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, etc.) When LERA becomes a law, the number of
prisoners will be reduced alleviating the overcrowded conditions so that tax dollars will be spent for other programs in our country such as educating our children, and we will be better prepared when
we leave prison.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Sincerely,
...................................

Sample letter #3

Dear Senator/Congressman (use appropriate name/address):

I anticipate that you will receive this letter on February 14. I chose to send it for Valentine's Day as a symbol of my love for those people who have stood by me during this difficult time. I hurt them very much and I am truly sorry for the pain that I caused. When I am released from prison, I intend to spend my life making up for my mistakes. And so, I am asking you to help me do just that.

The Literacy, Education, and Rehabilitation Act needs your support in its journey to becoming a law, a law that will increase good time and thus enable me to begin doing what's right.

I hope you have taken the time to study LERA and know that it calls for rewarding prisoners who are responsible and dependable and who are participating in their own rehabilitational process through
(vocational/college course work, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, etc.). It is not a blanket release for all prisoners but only increased good time for those who qualify and who
are proving that they have been rehabilitated.
All of our nation's prisons are terribly overcrowded and the tax dollars that it takes for those facilities to operate is a huge amount; therefore, a secondary result of LERA will alleviate the need to build more prisons and spend more taxpayers' dollars to incarcerate Americans.

Senator, I don't think I need to remind you that your work on behalf of the millions of American in out nation's prisons will be remembered and rewarded by your constituents. My family and friends are residents of your state and join me in asking for your support of the Smart on Crime movement including your support for LERA.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
.........................................
Sample letter #4

Dear Senator/Congressman (use appropriate name/address):

It's Valentine's Day, a day when people tell one another that they love each other. My family and friends have been showing me how much they care about me since I came to prison. They write to me frequently or send me magazines and cards. They also send money for me to use in the commissary or for the telephone. I really appreciate all they have done for me. I don't know what I would do without my family and my friends.

Senator, those people are doing even more. They are working to see that America realizes it is time for this Nation to get Smart on Crime. One way to do that is through the passage of the Literacy,
Education, and Rehabilitation Act. LERA will increase the good time for prisoners who qualify because they work hard and they are progressing with their rehabilitation process through (vocational or
college courses, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, etc).

I am writing to you to ask that you also support the Smart on Crime movement as well as LERA. My family, friends, and I would really appreciate it if you would sponsor/support the proposed act.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Im on that with you... One voice, many voices.. it starts with us. Thanks for it girl. MUCH LOVE

Whew - so glad to see someone else here who really wants to lend a voice and roll up their sleeves and GET BUSY making a difference!! Thanks, you are the greatest, Sweeti!! OK, back to looking up Congressmen & Woman!! And no, this is not as entertaining about posting about fun stuff, but real change won't happen while we're all too busy being entertained. ~~HUGS~~

Where is the appropriate letter for a DR inmate? Where being in a cell 23 hours a day has changed his life, he's never had a criminal past, and would never do the same thing again, and is totally fighting the prison mentality day to day, every day, just to keep his sanity?

He isnt exactly eligible for higher eduation becuase he is technically scheldued for death... he isnt eligible for most things actually, but where is his letter to higher up's?

If i missed it, i apologize in advance but you can e-mail me at lyndsey@sunlink.net instead of slamming me on the board

Lynn

Hi all.... Im sorry hon lyndsey if you feel slammed, Im not sure where you read into that. I know JMA very well. Im sure there was a misunderstanding. Please email me as I do have her on messenger... Hugs and please lets not let this get out of hand. We are all here for the same reason hon.
Hugs and love

My man is in AD Seg, and neither he can get any kind of education. NO matter. TX is cruel that way. Things are hard no matter what situation we are in. My pp on death row has the same thing, JMA has death row pen pal too. Its hard for all of us, but were all here for the same common purpose hon. Hugs and love..... I embrace ya all with big loving hugs

Dear Senator/Congressman (use appropriate name/address):

You are invited to come to ___________________________ and tour our facility which houses death row inmants and to chat with the prisoners here. You will learn things are different from what you've been told. You will hear about
prisoners who are refused medical assistance and so are not in good health. You will see that we live in cells smaller than your closets and offices that it is impossible for us to write letters,that its impossible to know what life is really about out there in the real world. You will be able to look at the food that is far from acceptable slipped through a door in our cells. You will notice that we are not living in ClubFed, far from such a resort. We ask that you do not announce your visit in advance because as a member of Congress, you have access to all BOP facilities without any prior approval.

I've been hearing about a bill entitled the Literacy, Education, and Rehabilitation Act. I sincerely hope that you are supporting this proposed legislation. LERA will benefit not only the men and women
who are deserving and responsible, prisoners who are preparing in their own rehabilitation to lead somewhat productive lives even where we are and whether we are realeased, you will also see that we are humans, with human feelings, and with the amount of innocents released, maybe you will find it in your heart to make some positive changes so that we here on Death row, are not forgotten or treated as animals.

What I did was wrong. But, I am very sorry, not sorry that I was caught, but sorry that I broke the law. I am not the same person now as the one who entered this prison ______ years ago. I have family who I love and admire for they have stood by me, but there are those who don't have that privilage. AND I am anxious to prove to my family and friends that they were right in supporting me during this difficult time. I want to look my __________ in the eye and say, "Thank you. I owe you so much. I will not let you down."

Thank you for taking the time to pay attention to what I am saying.

Sincerely,
....................................

I guess there is a difference in that some are Federal prisons and others are State facilities. BUT I tried with this one.
Hope it helps, so comeon people. Lets get this out to our pp's.

sweetiepie...I've noticed this on a couple other posts...why is it when someone replies to a post, you think things are 'getting out of hand'?? Lynn had a legitimate question..i doubt she was personally 'attacking' Jillian. Relax girlfriend and let the discussions on the board flow.

should have changed the bop on the DR one. Word it as such.
Hugs