Hey all,

My name is Melissa, I'm 21 and I live in Montreal, Canada. I first heard about WriteAPrisoner probably about two years ago - at least, it feels about that long! - but I only recently decided that I might seriously like to write an inmate.

After I started reading the ads on the site, I had a whole lot of questions for myself, as I presume most people do when they first choose to write an inmate. I went back and forth trying to decide if I felt comfortable writing to some of the inmates whose ads I connected with: people who had committed crimes that landed them in prison for life without parole, or people who had committed gang-related crimes, or whatever. But after finding this forum and reading one particular thread about people with pen-pals who are on death row, I ended up doing a lot of crying and came to my senses about the fact that these people are just that: people, like me, who have made mistakes and who are now paying for it. If I want to ask for a pen-pal that is honest, respectful and non-judgmental, then of course I have to be all of those things too - you get what you give! And in a lot of ways, in my own ways, I relate to these people because I've done some ****ty things and made some errors in judgment that I'm paying for too, and I am easily stigmatized by society for those errors. I so dislike being branded as an ex-whatever, I hate being defined by my "mistakes". One of my closest friends told me once, in regards to my situation, that she thinks God doesn't judge us by the ****ty things we do, but by the courage and honesty with which we face those things (and ourselves), and I believe that wholeheartedly - but all of this is stuff that I hope to discuss with a pen-pal someday!

Anyway, I've spent a long while making a list of people I'd like to write to and now I've narrowed it down to about six to whom I'll fire off a letter, with four others that I might like to contact if I have time, depending on how many of my six originals write me back! (Do you think that's too many to start with? After all, I don't know if all of them will write me back, or if we'll connect. But maybe four is a better number to start with?)

I'm anxious and excited to send out my letters; I'll be getting myself a PO Box this week, hopefully, and then I can send off some letters and hope for a good connection and friendship with a few new pen-pals.

Thanks for being so wonderful, from what I've seen on this forum so far

Cheers,
Melissa

Hello Melissa !

Welcome to WAP! We are glad to have you here. I am glad you chose to write a prisoner or prisoners. You will definitely make a difference in someone life. I don't think six is a bad number. If you have the time on your hands, there is nothing wrong with it.

We all learn from our mistakes and we end up coming out on top when we change for the better and the past behind us. Everyone should be given a chance for a fresh beginning. Who knows, you could be enabling someone to see just that, through your set of eyes.

Again welcome to wap!

Skye

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Hi Melissa and welcome to WAP,

I think 6 might be okay but you have to keep in mind that they might all reply and do you feel you have the time to correspond with that many? I’m not sure if you are writing only Americans or also Canadian pals? The post can be a little more expensive, especially if you are using air mail. That’s all up to you but I might start off with 3-4 and see how it goes. Be sure you are also writing to inmates that have checked "yes" to correspond overseas. I know Canada hardly feels very international yet the postage will be more costly on the inmate's end so that is important.

Aside from that, hope you find some interesting pals and welcome!

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Hello Melissa and welcome to wap

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this mod needs coffee

Thanks for the welcomes

Yeah, I think I'm going to cut it down to 3 or 4 for starters, just in case they do all write back, haha. We'll see!

Well... Good luck and happy writing :-)

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Hi, Welcome to WAP! When I had to prioritize whom to write, I did choose the ''not receiving email" pps as they needed it most. So far I do not regret that decision. ENjoy writing
Jaxxx

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