The PP I have been writing to for the past few months let me know what gang he was in before entering prison. I researched the gang, and found out stuff about them. Should I mention to him that I did that? Or is it possible he feels invaded that I researched something he told me??

i don't know. i mean, R has told me he was in a gang, showed me the tattoo and that's as much as we "discussed" it. i looked the gang up on the internet as well, but it's nothing but an afterthought really. we never discuss it. ever. one, because i don't think it would be wise on his part to do so and two, because i don't want to know anything!

i think he would probably be a bit naive to think that you wouldn't look them up, but i don't think mentioning them to him in a letter would be a good topic for discussion. that's just my opinion.

I thought the same! Thanks It's just my nature to look up and read up on everything. I just didn't know if I should bring it up, but reading what you wrote, I agree. it doesn't need to be brought up for no reason....

Perhaps it would be better to simply ask him about his gang, rather than telling him what you have learned through research. He may open up and tell you more than you already know, or at least give you to opportunity to question him closer. I think that he might accept your questioning as simply a desire to get to know him better. Best of luck.

Should she even delve into that topic at all? I don't think inmates are supposed to be discussing gangs. Maybe I'm being paranoid but I would just leave that subject alone.

I wonder too if you should bring it up. Although he may have put it in a letter first, the mail room may read the letters coming in more than the letters going out. It could cause problems for him if something you say in a letter confirms he's in a gang if he hasn't already been validated as a gang member. That would be my concern. I know Moxie could tell you a lot more about mail procedures though.

Originally Posted by mountanddo

Should she even delve into that topic at all? I don't think inmates are supposed to be discussing gangs. Maybe I'm being paranoid but I would just leave that subject alone.

Put it this way talking about it is not an issue. Talking about certain things perhaps, but admitting that they're in a gang is really not any news to the authorities usually. They usually have tattoos or they run with those that are known to be affiliated.

I personally don't think there is anything wrong in admitting that you did some research online though I'm sure he'll tell you that what you see/read is NOTHING like what it's like. I think that's the answer most guys will give you, but my husband told me whatever I wanted to know.

i've been told that there are some things they write to me about that i'm not to write back about. while they do have tats and validation processes, telling others about it is bad cause the c.o.'s would have in writing them admitting to gang involvement and that could be the thing to put them in the shu, or finish the validation process(takes 3 pieces of info.). this is what my man was saying to me tonight in our calls. i had been reading the thread on this was telling about it.so anyways that's my anthonys take on this subject.

i've been told that there are some things they write to me about that i'm not to write back about. while they do have tats and validation processes, telling others about it is bad cause the c.o.'s would have in writing them admitting to gang involvement and that could be the thing to put them in the shu, or finish the validation process(takes 3 pieces of info.). this is what my man was saying to me tonight in our calls. i had been reading the thread on this was telling him about it.so anyways that's my anthonys take on this subject. christ...what's wrong with wap??? won't load or do sh^t!

I'm with YMIHere, the chances are high that if he was in before prison, then the DoC already knows about it. He wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place if he was under investigation or had no markings of gang afilliation.

Why not just say that you read some stuff about that particular gang and you wanted his side of it if he is willing to tell you. That leaves it up to him then how he responds.