Regardless of why you’re thinking of dealing with inmates, there are several things you should consider before jumping in with both feet. This article is designed to give you an overview, and is obviously not all-inclusive of what you should consider for your personal situation.
Motivation
Examine your reasons for wanting to start writing to the inmates. Do you have a pen hobby and feel that you have a better shot at receiving letters returned from your inmate simply because they have more “time” to write back to you? Have you tried it? Do you feel led by God to minister to those behind the carrier of your faith? Are you just bored? The culture of writing is very different from the fact that writing is not closed to the individual. Some inmates will emotionally try to change you in order to meet certain needs while you are behind bars. Ask yourself if you are ready to deal with those types of things head on. This author personally does not recommend writing inmate if you are emotionally needy or looking for a romantic endeavor only because of the realistically unfair consequences that can manifest as a result. But always free as himself.
Resources
Writing a letter involves a certain level of commitment, as the time spent writing the letter itself is marked and the revenue earned to write the letter . Some pen pal companies that sign up when you ask to do a six-month job writing a pen even if you don’t really love the pen as a pen. The amount of time and money you spend will increase with each pen-pal you receive. For example, determine if you can realistically send some type of correspondence at least once a month to one inmate or maybe 20.
Sources
Again, you need to decide if you want to write down your reasons. What you want to write will help you narrow down the possible associations you want to go with the inmates to write. There are more than 100 companies in existence with a stake style. Learn as much as you can about the company you want to be offered with and don’t work with any company you don’t feel completely comfortable with.
Health
You must remain in jail and prison, because they have been convicted in a court of law, and they are defending your safety in every way. It is the nature of the beast to say so Post Office box for relief.
Systems
Each prison facility has its own list of rules and regulations. You need to stick to those rules so you don’t get caught up and get into potential trouble. This is especially important if you sign up with a group that provides you with a list of names that lacks a volunteer structure, or for those who find an inmate address on the Internet and just start writing.
Response
The inmates live in a culture and environment of negativity, emotional drama, depression, stress, anxiety and distrust at every turn. Sometimes, even though the inmate asks for your style, he or she is either very distrustful of you or you could find yourself at the end of a letter filled with angry words. Inmates cannot always re-register due to lack of paper and envelopes or no money stamps. The inmates were also moved without notice and letters were often not delivered.
When you’ve taken these core things into consideration, and you still feel stuck writing, a. by all means proceed. You will make a difference to someone and you will find yourself making a difference in their life in the most authentic and positive ways.
