| "I am writing to you from a very lonely prison | | | | programs try to help ease the loneliness of the |
| cell," he wrote. "Three days ago I lost my mother | | | | incarcerated. I have read that ninety percent of |
| to cancer. I was thinking about ending my life... but | | | | inmates lose all contact with family and friends |
| when I found your name and address in a used | | | | after 3 years. They soon feel loss of dignity, |
| newspaper I felt as if this was the answer to my | | | | self-worth and self-respect. A letter or a card |
| cry for help." | | | | from a pen pal can lift their spirits. |
| Deeply touched, I put the letter down. I felt | | | | Jack's letters continued to come. He told me of |
| genuine empathy for Jack in this, his time of grief | | | | the excitement of receiving some cards and |
| and loneliness. It was mid November when | | | | letters in response to my becoming his friend. He |
| received the letter arrived. | | | | shared how delighted he was to receive the Bible |
| He went on to write, "I do hope you are the kind | | | | and some Bible lessons I had sent. Near the end |
| of people my mom always spoke so highly of. | | | | of one of his letters I became disturbed. Jack |
| Share my name at church, in hopes of me | | | | wrote, "My feet are old and I don't own a coat. |
| receiving a special holiday wish. I would love to | | | | These are cold winters in the Cumberland |
| have at least one Christmas card...my mom's card | | | | Mountains. They tell me up here to get a pair of |
| would have been the only one I received." | | | | Timberland boots." Jack went on give specific |
| As I continued to be drawn into Jack's loneliness I | | | | information on the cost of the boots and detailed |
| read further. "It breaks my heart to know that | | | | money order instructions. |
| while other men will be opening up their many | | | | My niece, Jenny, had written to Jack. "I am so |
| Christmas greeting cards and opening up their J. C. | | | | sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. I just lost |
| Penny Prison catalog order, I'll be left standing all | | | | my Dad one month ago so I think I know at least |
| alone. Mom could never afford a Christmas | | | | some of the sorrow you are feeling." |
| package, so that won't hurt so bad, but to be | | | | The reason for my concern about Jack's request |
| able to have a nice Christmas card and fellowship | | | | was not the cold winter in the Cumberland |
| with the people my mom always believed in | | | | Mountains, but the sense that I had been used in |
| would surely put a big smile on this sad face." | | | | furthering a "con game". Jenny's letter included the |
| Stirred to action, I wasted no time. I e-mailed my | | | | same request as I did for "Timberland Boots, |
| family and friends a copy of Jack's letter asking | | | | number 31052 C, Size 9, tan, and a warm coat |
| them to send him a Christmas greeting. Then I | | | | with a hood, number 94271B". |
| contacted an associate pastor at my church and | | | | I later learned that a family from the church had |
| asked him to have the adult Bible fellowship | | | | received the request as well. I felt both annoyed |
| classes collect signatures and greetings from the | | | | and betrayed. I was embarrassed that I had been |
| members. | | | | taken in. I had been conned by a con...or had I? |
| I felt good. Affirmed. Prison ministry is important I | | | | When you become a prison pen pal it is important |
| reminded myself. | | | | that you be alert to known scams. You should be |
| There are thousands of men and women in prison | | | | aware that institutions provide all the basic needs |
| today who are looking for friendship. Many of | | | | of an inmate. Even educational programs are |
| these prisoners feel like social outcasts. They are | | | | often free to prisoners. If an inmate is requesting |
| isolated from family and friends. Prisoners love to | | | | a donation for something that seems unusual, |
| receive mail. | | | | contact the prison administration before sending |
| It is usually difficult and often impossible for | | | | money. |
| prisoners to find friendship among the prison | | | | Many people would never consider writing to a |
| population. Many inmates have registered for pen | | | | prisoner. If you do find someone you would like to |
| pals on Internet sites. Yahoo lists about 30,000 | | | | write to, don't hesitate. Most are honest about |
| and Google has over 35,000 sites listed. One site | | | | what they are looking for; however, use good |
| alone registered one million visits in the year 2001. | | | | judgment and common sense, just as you would |
| Prison Fellowship Ministries have a Pen Pal Program | | | | with anyone on the outside. The majority of |
| that matches convicts to Christian volunteers. | | | | inmates is lonely and desperately need a new |
| This is a prison pen pal site for inmates in need of | | | | friend. Most look forward to be transitioned back |
| a caring friend. | | | | into a productive life after prison. Your friendship |
| This site and others like it attempt to bring | | | | can be a positive influence. |
| friendship and hope to lonely prisoners. The | | | | |