Philippe, welcome to America, the land of the free.

Bailey,that's terrible.

I think we have to look at both sides though,whether it be who ever handles the mail,or the inmate.It is possible for an inmate to pass on a pen pals address if they just so happen to find someone else whom may appeal to them more.They just may feel that since they no longer have a use for it,someone else may like to have it.

On the other hand,I think people in mailrooms take advantage of the power that they have in handling the mail.If they're curious regarding certain mail, and if they're nosy enough,they'll simply sneak it away from the pile so they can read it.

The same situation happened in a post office in Mount Vernon,NY and one of the mail handlers were caught doing it.It served them right because it's very disprespectful to open someone else's mail and on top of that,it's against the law.

Ooops - my apologies to caramilk girl & everyone else interested in this situation. I posted my response separately instead of on caramilk's message. (I'm really not lame, just a first time message sender, although I've enjoyed reading your forum for many months now.. you are all great!!!) Anyway you all seemed to get my drift
To continue. what I did with my outgoing mail to my guy in prison after the incident was to send my mail with a return receipt postcard attached to it requiring the mailroom workers to sign for the mail and date it. The postcard is removed from the letter and mailed back to you. So you have some record of who handled your mail. It doesn't cost that much extra @ the post office and kinda gives them the idea that 'Big Brother' or someone is watching. Or you can send it certified mail, requiring a signature, or if you pay for priority postage you can add a delivery confirmation receipt, which has to be scanned and has a tracking number. You can then track it on line or via the telephone. I know it's not a perfect plan for an imperfect world, (they can sign someone else's name, or write eligibly, etc. etc.), but it is an attempt to make someone accountable....even though it comes out of our pocket. But as Mike mentioned, the mailroom workers may not be entirely to blame. The inmates are not in their cells at all times, 24-7, and unless their property is adequately secured, their stuff can get stolen, including their mail and your address, etc. We didn't have to take these precautions forever, because the message did get accross to them.