I wasn't sure what to put for a title, so i will start with an apology

Some time ago I wrote to a guy on Florida DR , I have spoken via email to his wife, and have received only one letter from him, I do believe his is innocent and I will help them out as much as I can, they know i cannot help out financially but I can be a friend to them both.
They are both happy that I want to be a friend but today I got a letter from one of his friends, The letter came from a 25year old, He asked if id be his pen pal also because he thinks we have a lot in common, He says the only person he has contact with now is his mum, I have a son of nearly 22 and i can see how much it must hurt a mother.

Where my problem is this young man has been sentenced for murder and sexual crimes. he says he is innocent ( I personally don't believe him )
I was raped when I was 15years old and find it very hard to deal with people who have committed sexual crimes. So obviously I could not offer this young man a friendship.

I do not want to hurt his feelings, anyone got any ideas of what i should say to him, I do not want to say No because of what you did ( because he may not have done it ) I have read a lot about his case from the court records.

I'm really stuck on this one, I do believe everyone should have a second chance, but I just cann't deal with it personally:o

I could quite happily write to a serial killer, or a terrorist, in fact anyone as long as it didn't involve rape.

I would just tell him that at this time you can't take on any other penpals, but you would be more than happy to post an ad for him here on PTO. You don't have to tell him that you won't write to him because of what he has (or has not) done.

I agree with whiskeylullabye... I am certain that if you don't feel that you can deal with his crime, then you shouldn't.

you have wize words, but i have thought about it, and i will write to him, but my first letter will have "rules" if he doesnt like it then i wont write, I cannt lie, and i also believe everything happens for a reason, so im going to do it, thanks anyway :)

I could quite happily write to a serial killer, or a terrorist, in fact anyone as long as it didn't involve rape.

Everyone is different. I would write to a 'once off' rapist. I would also write a dealer, hooker etc.... I couldn't write to a child molester, a terroist suspect or anyone with 'serial' in their records.

I don't think you have to explain anything to this boy, just say 'no thanks.'