I've been looking through WAP for a while now and after reading various profiles, I find myself wanting to correspond with prison inmates. Call me old-fashioned and sentimental, but I just enjoy sending letters especially if my words can brighten someone's day including a prison inmate who might have so little on the outside and even less on the inside. However, I'm not sure how to go about writing letters to prisoners mostly because I'm not looking for a romantic relationship and although several of the ads I've seen say that the prisoner isn't looking for donations, I wouldn't know how to tell the inmates that I cannot afford to send them money. I have every intention of using a post office box and even an pseudonym, but I'm just not sure what to write in the first letters. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've been writing pals for collectively about (4) years now. I always use a P.O. Box with my real name, tell them straight up that I'm not looking for romance, and just talk about life in general, and try to find out what their interests are. Just be yourself and let it flow. It will all fall into place if you are sincere.

If you haven't already there is a link for FAQs at the top of the page that I found to be helpful when I began writing. There are many inmates that are not looking for romantic relationships. I am already in a relationship, so specifically chose inmates looking only for friendship. I also mentioned that in my very first letter and indicated I would only be able to offer friendship and hoped that would work for them. That was acceptable to all my pals and it hasn't been a topic since.

None of my penpals have asked me for money, and yours shouldn't either, at least not anytime soon after first writing. But sometimes you buy a friend on the outside lunch or a small gift, right? I see it as the same thing, and I like to remember their birthday with a gift they would like, and don't see an issue maybe sending them some money once in a blue moon for some extra supplies or food they might like to purchase themselves.

I also would use a P.O. Box, but not a fake name. Good luck!

I agree w/Ambrose,,writing an inmate is really no different than outside friendships,,,starts with something you both like or interest,,, as time goes stay friends or part,,,, the friendship grows with time and trust,, and get to know the weakness and strengths like outside,,,, if they are not really a friend,,,, will come out,,,or have a agenda or self centered,, all about them ,,,,

Like anything or one,,, there are always going to be some bad apples in any interactions,,, on both sides of the coin,,, some do not know how to be a friend,,,,

I personally never gave a direct hit,,, as what I am not looking for thing,,,1st letter,, just a simple statement ,, how I found their ad,, general infor about me,,, and stated if you would like to write back ,,, hope to hear from you soon,,,, if I got they love me instantly or want something instantly,,,, I would have been honest,,, ok you do not know me,,,and I did not write to support literally but,,, to surpport as a friend to bring some friendship,, and hope to lift some of the daily routine of being inside,,,,,no one I wrote ever asked for anything,, when I did give something it was choice my decision,,,,,

Hi. Well the nice thing about WAP is the first letter can be email I do believe? So all I did was say hello and how are you and if you would like to write back please do. That was it. That’s all I said. It broke the ice I guess because the inmate replied. I wouldn’t worry about money right away as the inmate may never ask you anyway. Just choose a couple you find interesting or maybe something in common and introduce yourself like you would with someone on the outside. Just take it slow and casual. Be careful how many you write at first as you might get overwhelmed and have to cut some off. That happened to me and I couldn’t afford stamps.

Hello Zalman,



Welcome at WAP, i hope you will enjoy writing to inmates. Maybe I can give you some additional tips if you want.

I write in my first letter a kind of introduction about me, starting with some personal items, and then the place and country where i live.
I give some historic backgrounds of the city where I live, aswell something more about the country, like the foodspecialities, artscene, historic sites etc...
I tell them what i do for a living, and tell them more detailed information what i do. Then I tell them my hobbies, like reading (what kind of books I normally read), travelling, music, films - and with all this you have already a basis to start a conversation.

I whish you good luck in your writing.



Micky

Zalman - I picked people to write to who's adverts interested me, and when I wrote my first letter to them I picked up on a couple of things they had written, and asked them more about that. I explained that I was just looking for freindship and told them a little about myself and where I live.

have you found someone you would like to write to? Written the first letter yet? I think it does get easier with time, when you get to know someone you find you have all sorts of things to write about.

Well just write a little about yourself what about there ad interested you ,why you decided to write a prisoner and if you like let them know right from the jump your just looking for friendship and take it from there ! happy writing hope you find a nice pal ,i would not mention money at all the state takes care of all their needs