Hi, I am new here and am really glad i've found this website. I am a married christian lady who'd like to write to someone on the row and become their friend. I have discussed it with my husband and and as he is also a christian, we agreed that it would be good. I don't know exactly what to expect especially on the emotional side of things. I know the importance of being there always as a friend but I am also afraid, yet this has been in my mind and spirit for such a long time. I have had personal situations where my husband and I have felt isolated, forgotten etc, but God has been good and has taught us to depend on him every step of the way, I will not be bible-bashing, but all i would like to convey to someone is that they are not forgotten or hated regardless. please someone who has had friends on the row talk me thru this..........many thanks and God bless y'all:)

Welcome to PTO!!! It is a great place for support and advice. I wish you all the luck with writing and hope that you enjoy the experience. It certainly has been a wonderful experience for me!!!

My boyfriend is on death row in Georgia, and I can tell you that penpals are SO important to him. He lives for the letters he gets from me and his friends. It is a great thing you are doing. Happy writing!

I met my DR pen apl on accident and you know I am so glad that I did. He has such a great insight on a lot of things and we talk about so much. I truely value his friendship and I hope that you will have the same experience that I am having. My daughter loves going to the Post office with me, looking for the special cards that he draws just for her. She is 4 and has a great understanding and compassion for inmates. Not just because her father is one, but I think its the school she goes to. Her Christian school teaches her to love everyone and she tells my pal that she loves him all the time when she writes letters to him. It has been a great experience and if and when he is executed, he will have made a lasting impression on my life and my daughters.

Penpals and friends are extremely important to those on death row.. and I wish you so much happiness and luck in finding someone to write and accept your offer of friendship... can I please make a small note here though.. should it be someone in Florida be very careful as the guys there are under a huge amount of pressure in regards to the 2003 rule where they are not allowed to have penpal ads on the internet...many have done confinement time and others have lost there mail priviledges. This issue is under the microscope by the prison. So be aware of any rules at any of the prisons your pals or potential pals may be in. :)
I have been writing for around 10 years to a few duys on death row and the experience has been one that words can not give it justice. I have also visited with 2 of my pals. So I know first hand how much friends mean to them. Like I said before good luck and enjoy the experience.

Thanks guys for your encouragement and responses I will definitely keep ypu posted if I have the priviledge to make friends with someone. God bless you all in the new year!:)

Hello there Imani4ever and welcome to PTO.

I also found my first DR pen pal by accident, or should I say he found me. Now I am writing with two men on DR, and they have changed my life and way of thinking. I cant ever thank enough to have them in my life. They are really caring and wonderful friends, and I enjoy our deep & long chats via letters. I havent ever found any other friend, who cares that much. They are wonderful men. I wish you all the best and it is nice to know, that here in this world are still so many nice and caring people, who like to offer their friendship to other people without judgement. They are really lonely out there. It is also nice to hear, that your husband is also beside you in this thing. Lots of love and Happy New Year... And please come to share your thoughts with us. Feel free to pm me anytime. Noora


Hi, I am new here and am really glad i've found this website. I am a married christian lady who'd like to write to someone on the row and become their friend. I have discussed it with my husband and and as he is also a christian, we agreed that it would be good. I don't know exactly what to expect especially on the emotional side of things. I know the importance of being there always as a friend but I am also afraid, yet this has been in my mind and spirit for such a long time. I have had personal situations where my husband and I have felt isolated, forgotten etc, but God has been good and has taught us to depend on him every step of the way, I will not be bible-bashing, but all i would like to convey to someone is that they are not forgotten or hated regardless. please someone who has had friends on the row talk me thru this..........many thanks and God bless y'all:)

Hi, I am new here and am really glad i've found this website. I am a married christian lady who'd like to write to someone on the row and become their friend. I have discussed it with my husband and and as he is also a christian, we agreed that it would be good. I don't know exactly what to expect especially on the emotional side of things. I know the importance of being there always as a friend but I am also afraid, yet this has been in my mind and spirit for such a long time. I have had personal situations where my husband and I have felt isolated, forgotten etc, but God has been good and has taught us to depend on him every step of the way, I will not be bible-bashing, but all i would like to convey to someone is that they are not forgotten or hated regardless. please someone who has had friends on the row talk me thru this..........many thanks and God bless y'all:)

A warm welcome to the PTO family you will find alot of Love and Support here.

I think it is a wonderful thing that you are thinking about doing. I have many penpals and years ago it isn't something I ever thought I would be doing. Nor would I have ever thought I would have found my best friend, my confidant, the love of my life on DR.
All though he was executed several years ago, the years we were together were the most wonderful years.

Even when writing just as a friend the emotional roller coaster is up and down for many of them. Especially once the receive a date.

You are their eyes and ears and their link to the outside world.

For some letters are all they have. But just because they are on DR they are human and sometimes you click and sometimes you don't, just like out here. The important thing is if this is something you really want to do then I think you should do it. Because you truly could make a difference in someones life.

If you ever have any questions feel free to pm me or post them here.

softie