Why do people write to people in prison ?

Question

I am interested in what makes someone write to a convict as I am thinking off writing to one myself but i am not sure as i dont want to get myself in to anything i cant get out of

Answer 1

I started writing to a man cos like others have said it's a lifeline and when the post comes round they long to hear that they've got mail. That somebody has bothered to sit and actually write to them. I had met him briefly before he was put away at a friends house, and they know asked me to write to him. Unfortunately feelings got in the way and we decided to get together, I visited him and felt that all he was saying to me was the truth, and he was very open about things he had done (robbery). Also things he'd been through in his lifetime which were all confirmed by others, who were shocked how open he'd been with me.
This just made me fall for him more and as it neared the end of his sentence, (3 years), we talked about him moving in.

I last heard from him 2/3 months before he got out telling me all the things I wanted to hear. I've never spoken or seen him since. It's been 2 and a half years now. I've heard that he married a prison officer (a female) and obviously she no longer works in prisons. Not long ago he ran off with her car, money and things. So I consider myself to have had a very lucky escape.

I did it to be a friend but I let myself get in too deep. It's not something I would recommend if your the type who tends to believe in everything people say. And I'd never do it again, it was a waste of 3 years of my life.

Answer 2

Everybody needs somebody. I served 10 years in prison and alot of the convicts like to hear from anyone, whether it's a family member, a friend, or someone they just met. Mail is one of the most important things to someone doing time 'cause it allows them to communicate and share things with others that you can't share with other con's. If writing someone on the inside is what you want to do then why not go for it? Just make sure you know alittle of their crime and history, you don't want to get hooked up with a stalker or rapist.

Answer 3

Every person needs human contact, especially those in prison. Our military need people to write to them as well. Everyone needs some human contact.

The thing about writing people in isolated places it that a fantasy world develops. Everything is controlled by writing, and no actual human interaction. When these people get out of their isolation, military or prison, things might not go as well as you think! Don't think about “falling” for anyone just through writing, although it is tempting! Give real interaction a place!

Just experience talking!

Answer 4

Becsuae when you are in prospn, letters from the oputside help stop you feeling so isolated. It is very easy to feel very cut off from the outside world, especially if your own family does'nt understand the situation, i know as I have been in prison, letters are a lifeline, I still write to various people inside, as does my husband, we are both out now, but dont forget the feeling when we received a letter. Dont forget, not everyone who is in prison is actually convicted!

Answer 5

Why?? People write to people in prison to cheer them up and let them know that people on the outside care about them. If your thinking of writing to a friend in jail go right ahead. If you want to write to someone you don't know I would advise you to be careful and if possible use an office box instead of a home address.
You never know what kind of person you could be writing to.

Answer 6

only you can decide if it's the right thing to do for you, or not.

I have never written to one but can guess that's people do it to alleviate the suffering of another? to ease another's lonliness?

to ease their own?

just be careful, even if you collect your mail from a post office box, anyone can get your home address if they have your box # and pay a small fee at the post office. Use a mail forwarding service to be safe.......you can find them online.


afterthought:
why would you be afraid of getting into something you cannot get out of? keep your personal info PERSONAL. Never give your address or phone number. Say no to anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.....and do not continue the relationship when they are released....be commpassionate, but BE SMART !

Answer 7

Are you writing to a family member or a friend? Is what you are doing out of charity? I'm not sure what your motives are. I write to my brother, but it's because he needs something to keep his mind going on the outside world rather than a cell 24 hours out of the day.

Answer 8

A reformed person can be worth a lot, in theory. This possibility combined with the feelings of the writer about THEMSELF.
But a lot say that prison makes criminals worse.

Answer 9

I did, I wrote a guy on death row and he seemed really nice, but I later found out what exactly he did, someone had written a book about his life and it turned out he was a pathological liar. Most of what he had written in his letters was not true. Just be very careful.

Answer 10

Boredom. A feeling of connection with the convict. A believe in his/her innocence. A need of closure. The question is why do you want to do it?