When a person is in prison, it is critical to their well-being that they stay connected with the outside world. Having even just one connection with someone outside prison walls provides hope that fuels rehabilitation and a smoother reentry after release. But maintaining relationships from inside prison can be a challenge.
The average state prisoner is held 100 miles from home, and the average federal prisoner is 500 miles from home, making Jesus’ call to visit those in prison close to impossible for many family and friends. When an incarcerated person is effectively cut off from their life outside, prison quickly becomes their only life. But regular contact with people on the outside can be a critical reminder that their life and their purpose are bigger than the sentence they are serving.
Choosing a pen pal
If you want to write to someone you know who is incarcerated, be sure to address the envelope using the person’s full name, their Department of Corrections ID number, and the full name and address of the facility in which they are being held. If you’d like to be paired with an incarcerated person you’ve never met, many organizations offer safe and structured programs for pairing you with a pen pal. You may find a local ministry in your area, or try one of these:
Writing your letter
Most facilities have rules about what you can and cannot include in your letters/packages to inmates. Before you get started, be sure to check the mail rules of the facility to which you’ll be sending your letter. If you are going through an organization, they should have guidelines. If not, search “mail rules at (facility name)” on your internet browser or simply call the facility directly.
Here are a few tips for writing your letter:
- Number and include the recipient’s name on each page of the letter.
- Start by introducing yourself. Share your name, what city or part of the country you’re from, and how you got connected with them.
- Get to know them by asking questions about their interests, dreams, or goals.
- Be aware that your correspondence may be read by law enforcement and/or used in trial. Therefore, avoid asking about their case or legal matters.
- Share some of your favorite Scripture verses, poetry, or songs.
- Be descriptive in your writing, describing things you see, smell, and hear around you that would help the incarcerated person connect with the world outside.
- Set expectations. Be clear about how often you plan to write, and then follow through. If you have to stop writing, or if there will be a lull in correspondence, communicate that clearly.
Receiving blessing
Handwritten notes from people outside the prison walls are lifelines of hope for those who are incarcerated. They are a reminder that there is life beyond the prison walls, and there are people out there who care for, believe in, and support them. But writing to someone in prison is not just a one-way blessing. Connecting with someone who potentially has experienced life in a different way or encountered God on a deeper level may help your faith grow.
Jesus knew that with each unique human connection, we encounter a new face of God. Jesus didn’t tell us to visit those in prison just for the prisoners’ sake. There’s richness in the connection for everyone.
