But not everybody knows you can write to a prisoner. It never crossed my mind either until I randomly found this page. But I would also share no letters. My PP trusts me about the things he is writing. I would be mad if he gave my letters to someone else to read or even put them in a documentary.

Originally Posted by MarieClaire27

What I want to do is to show that people in prison are human with thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, hard pasts, good pasts, struggles and obstacles - the same as anyone else. (Except that their struggles are undoubtedly harder than the very majority) Age/gender/gang member/ethnicity - it's not going to be defined in this documentary. All references to names and locations can be deleted. I want people to really understand the impact of incarceration. This is my goal, to make people think. Any letters that you have, even if you think they are irrelevant, you can send them to me. I promise that I am going to read everyone and I also promise to treat all names/locations with the utmost discretion. Also, a typical day is just the starting idea... as you can see from the above, it will delve into the life of a prisoner in greater detail - or, at least, I really hope it will. Thank you for your questions, please feel free to ask anything else you like.

I think it would be better to approach the inmates themselves. What they tell their penpals is often not even a fraction of what they think or feel.

Thank you for all your comments.

You know, we all try to make an impact in whatever way we can. This is the way I know how. I want to help and this how I feel i can do it. You are absolutely entitled not to agree, but at least I'm doing something. I agree that the viewing population aren't stupid, rather I fear that they my be biased or have formed preconceived notions, which of course, are always a bad thing.

I would never expect anyone to part with letters that they own, if you wanted to send extracts from letters, that is absolutely perfect and, again, I would be so grateful. If you wanted to scan letters and send them without names and dates and locations, I would of course be grateful for that also.

I completely agree that whatever letters are sent, the inmate should, undoubtedly, give their permission first. I would never ask anyone to send me on letters without the writer's permission.


I really think that something can be made out of this... and I'm asking for your help. I fully understand if you don't wish to partake, but please, if you're even slightly interested, I would be happy to e-mail you further about my intentions with this documentary.

Thanks for you time.

The reason that I don't want to approach the inmates themselves at this time is because I want the letters to have been written privately without the intention of putting them in a documentary. I don't want anyone to question the bona fides of the writer's comments. I really think that writing to someone privately and telling them truthfully their opinions about life etc, is so much more powerful than speaking to a documentarian. Again, I fully understand all your reservations and I admire your loyalty to your pen pals. Thanks again for your comments.

You have to understand that when you come to a forum such as this that there will be strong opinions thrown about.

I will be perfectly honest with you and say that I don't care much for any documentary about prison life, the justice system, prisoners, letters and so on. As someone in the media you must have developed a thick skin by now so I say this to you knowing that I won't cause you upset.

Documentaries do nothing for me. I want my man to come home. He's serving a life sentence and we both get a bit jaded by people and their claims to inform people, spread the message, challenge people's opinions, etc. Our reality never changes. There is every chance he will never, ever come home. Have you ever considered what that might be like? Documentaries won't bring him home and that's all I care about right now.

I really respect what you say and I would never pretend to know what it's like for you. I really can't even imagine.

I hope my messages above weren't too hard. I do welcome all forms of opinions but I just want to clarify that I'm not in the media. I'm not a journalist. I'm not trying to sensationalize anything. I'm just trying my very best to help a situation that I believe can change and I want to work to change it.

I fully appreciate why you don't want to be part of this but I really appreciate you taking the time to message me nonetheless.

I think some members might be open to this. Maybe they could PM you if they are interested in helping

Yes, that would be great. Thank you.

Originally Posted by MarieClaire27

The reason that I don't want to approach the inmates themselves at this time is because I want the letters to have been written privately without the intention of putting them in a documentary. I don't want anyone to question the bona fides of the writer's comments. I really think that writing to someone privately and telling them truthfully their opinions about life etc, is so much more powerful than speaking to a documentarian. Again, I fully understand all your reservations and I admire your loyalty to your pen pals. Thanks again for your comments.

IMO inmates are going to not want to write to you anyway in this regard. When I started writing and told my new pp's that I was a writer, to a man they wanted to know if I was doing a piece on them or wanted information on them and this was not asked in a fun way, as in, "sure, I'll be in your writing." They want to know if you're there to "get" something from them or to just be a true pal. Once you got to know someone well, asking them to be part of things is fine and probably even liked. I've written fiction with one of my pp's and it's awesome but we did that as friends rather than me as an outsider coming in for something. (Even if that thing has good intentions.)

I asked the honest opinion of 2 people about this just now, my mate (incarcerated 20 plus years) over the phone and another who has been out a long while. Both said you will not portray an individuals life behind bars looking through the written word alone to family, friends and loved one's. It is only a small part of a large puzzle, so while you may have a piece you will not have an honest and complete perspective of a life lived behind bars, although they both wish you well.