QUICK REFERENCE GUIDELINES
Many prisoners have no contact from the outside world and a letter from someone they do not know may be their only external communication.
- Within your church there may be people who would not want to visit prisoners but would write to them.
- The first step is to draw up a list of letter writing volunteers and to train them.
- The second step will be for Lotsha to supply you with a suitable inmate to correspond to.
- Time Commitment – Long term or short term.
- How often? As often as is practical.
- Use a Post Office Box number.
- Do not give your cell or home telephone numbers.
- Do not visit as it intensifies the relationship.
- Do not send money, phone cards, toiletries, or clothes
- Literacy level - Simple English
- Write about Everyday life & things
- Choose interesting paper
- Be prayful
- Communicate your faith. Don’t use bible verses
- Letter Writing relationship usually ends when the prisoner leaves prison
- Use a pen name (nom de plume) if your name is very distinguishable
- There may come a time when it is not possible for you to write any more
- There are a number of ways of breaking the letter writing relationship.
- Be aware of the expectations of the inmate and avoid feeding them.
- Maintain your integrity, honesty and moral values