Hello,


I've been corresponding with someone at WRDCC who was convicted of a non-violent offense. Her photo, etc., is "all that" although I'm not sure when it was taken. Suffice to say, her sentence is short so i'm hoping the photo wasn't long ago.

When prisoners are released, many have no place to go. Should this be considered or are they really being sincere in what they're saying?

well first, welcome to PTO family. I have been corresponding with inmates for 4 years and have fail in love with one myself. All of mine has been sincere. There is alot of them that dont have any place to go, it is sad, but it is true. Most of them have lost alot being lock up.
Good luck and best wishes to you, If there is anything I can do, please feel free to ask. :)

Mike,
Another welcome to PTO. In regards to your question about them having no place to go, this is often the case. Depending on what system she is in, she may be sent to a half-way house to get on her feet or just released from prison with nothing but the close on her back.
As for truthfulness with PenPals.. You will find from very honest to not so honest people writing to you. If you are basing your decision on someone's looks, I would inquire for a picture to be taken with something you request. Such as a certain pose, a pinky finger sticking out, etc.
Some prisons though do not offer pictures so that may not do to much good and you will have to go on faith.
Good luck,
David

Welcome to PTO Mike~ I met my sweetie thru mail also. I did not know what he looked like nor what his voice sounded like until I finally got to visit him which was almost a year after corresponding with him. But I fell in love with his heart and himself as a person. I was very happy to say the least when I finally did see him. I think he is a very handsome man, but thats just me, could be love ha! Nonetheless he will always be handsome in my eyes. His heart is what matters his body is just a bonus~

Beck

I have found a best friend in the person, woman that I wrote to, well who actually wrote me first. Through a mutual friend we were introduced and we hit it off in the mail then we met and that was it, I was head over heels. we have continued to write and we have developed a deep friendship. Write her often, and get a feel for how sincere she is by how she answers your questions. Ask her things that you would want her to ask you. don't be too blunt, but try to make her smile more than anything else, be yourself. don't candy coat and try to protect her from things that you feel she might not want to hear about the free world. Trust your instincts. She will tell you more in a hand written letter than a typed letter. look at the writing, from differents moods. but above all be honest but not brutal. be nice, be real, be yourself if you are interested and you never know you might have struck gold here with this lady. I know I have!!! Good luck and write back often. If things get uncomfortable tell her, tell her why, don't hide things. Think golden rule!!!
(Mr.) Goose Bumps

WELCOME MIKE AND I ALSO MET MY MAN THROUGH THE MAIL AND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID,THERE ARE THOSE THAT ARE HONEST AND THOSE NOT SO HONEST...I PRAY ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU

I am writing numbers 17-25 now.. That is the number of people I have written in many different states.

First there is always a shelter that they can go to. So if they are saying they are on the street it just isn't so. All I can say is if you are feeling pressured it isn't right, no matter what the request is.

On the other hand if you think you love the person, does it matter if the photo is 28 years old?

I set rules in my first letter and some send photos and some do not. Some states have on line sites where information and in some instances current photos are available,

I have seen beautiful women in prison uniforms, and the picture is 20 years old from one of their prior times. Some of the prettiest I have found posted no pictures with their ads, only because they did not want that to be the attraction.

So it is a crapshoot.. Follow your heart.

I met my man before he went in WRDCC, online. We didnt a chance to meet before he went to jail numerous times. Hes not the most trusting person i guess u can say. And we've had a lot of problems i guess you could say. But...i feel that every man deserves a woman who will stand by his side and even though he has fucked me over numerous times...i still havent given up on him. You cant decipher what is true from what isnt when they are in prison. They are in a place they dont want to be and most have the life findings there. They have SO much time to think about what they've done wrong. My man has been in and out of prison and jail for a good 5 years. has he learned his lesson? Probably not lol. But all you can do is be there for them and show them you are not leaving..but dont put your heart on the line.

Just ask her if the photo is recent or not. I hope it goes well for you :)

Dear Mike Fu:

There is nothing "wrong" with becoming emotionally involved with a person temporarily incarcerated.

I go to church every Sunday, and I all I see are sinners in the pew- especially my pew!

One feature that is helpful on one website ("writeaprisoner.com") is an explicit link to the State Corrections Department. Even if you have not found your friend through this website, you can still take down the applicable DOC site, and look up your friend.

If you put in the inmate's name, the applicable DOC site will give you the person's legal background, and a sense of what the person looks like, and when the photo was taken.

Given that DOC pictures are like DMV pictures, if she is appealing in her DOC picture, she will be even better in person. :D

Just look at your own DMV picture in your wallet! :)

Just remember that these folks have little left but their fragile self respect. Give that back to her/them at every opportunity.

When I had contact visits with the general population at CIW-Corona California, I made it a point to address every female inmate by "Yes ma'm, or no Ma'm"..

Best of luck to you and your friend,

kay's man 4ever