Hello All,
I have BA in English and minor in sociology, have major in sociology after one more class then want to work with juveniles headed down wrong path. (maybe even study crimonolgy as a degree)

I have 19 pen pal inmates, 3 on death row and one who had his sentence commuted to life.
Here is my delemia. I want to start communications with some serial killers. Well as we all know, most them on death row. (Ive become attatched to my pals on death row and all my other pen pals, tho none serial killers). I want to study and understand these people who are serial killers.
My problem is I have one man im interested in writing too. He is serial killer. He is NOT on death row ( he got 6,, 30 year to life sentences for the deaths of 6 prostitutes, one in North Carolina and 5 in St. Augustine Fl., all addicted to crack cocaine.)
While he will not die at hands of executioner he is dying of cancer and dont have long to live.
I just would like some peoples point of view on if i should contact this man.Any reply is welcome.
Also for study purposes I want to contact Charles Manson. No I do not have a penchant for serial killers. I want to understand and help kids who are on their paths to this life of crime. What do people think of that?
I wasnt sure where to post this and this seemed like most likely post.
Thank you for any replies.
Peace love light and laughter
Valorie

I think many of the serial killers, especially people like Manson, would see through you and realize your actions about wanting to study them.

I recommend entering a masters degree program and studying serial killers that way as opposed to being a penpal.

I think many of the serial killers, especially people like Manson, would see through you and realize your actions about wanting to study them.

I recommend entering a masters degree program and studying serial killers that way as opposed to being a pen pal.

I agree with both of these statements. Manson certainly has celebrity status and your interest in this subject is not unique.

I don't mean to be unkind, but I think it would be very unethical and, in fact, very cruel to "study" someone that thinks you are trying to develop a friendship. If you are intending to be honest and upfront about your motives, then what ever they agree to is fair game. But if you are planning to write to them and get to know them without letting them know your motives, I feel this is very wrong. They are human beings, not case studies. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but you did ask.

If you're open and honest about your reasons for writing to someone, I see no problem with it. It is up to them whether they wish to answer you or not. I strongly suspect that if you try to play any games, you'll find that your intended correspondents have heard it all before, many times.

Hello All,
OH I never meant I would do it without letting them know. Every prisoner I write knows that I am studying them, wanting to learn and help if I can. We have developed friendships in spite of it. Sorry I didn't mean to confuse you, only wanted your opinions. I would never, never write someone under false pretenses.
Peace love light and laughter
Valorie

Sorry...didn't mean to jump to a negative conclusion. Thanks for being graceful about it. In that case, I think that whatever they agree to is fair game. I also think your chances with the notorious ones are rather remote, as I am sure that they have many people interested in them for a variety of reasons. If I recall correctly, I saw someone on here a while back that claimed to have corresponded with Manson. The only reason I say "claimed" is of course that we never know about the truth of what we read. Anyway, good luck to you. I think that if your motives are pure, some good could come from it.

Hello All,
OH I never meant I would do it without letting them know. Every prisoner I write knows that I am studying them, wanting to learn and help if I can. We have developed friendships in spite of it. Sorry I didn't mean to confuse you, only wanted your opinions. I would never, never write someone under false pretenses.
Peace love light and laughter
Valorie

What caught my eye in your thread was the fact that the one you want to contact is dying of cancer. That alone is reason enough to write him. I'm not trying to imply a religous belief here, but this man will soon be facing eternity. I'm not trying to tell you to try to save him, it just hits me hard when I hear of someone that is dying. Although he commited crimes that did not give his victims a choice is something that I will not argue. That is in God's hands now. I know I'm going in a different direction than what your thread was asking. I hope I haven't offended anyone.

Thank you all and Register that is true, I am hoping hes still alive. I have found out though that I have learned more from writing to men and women in prison than I ever did in any crimonology or deviant behavior or sociology class I have ever taken. I feel at least in my case, books cant replace so to speak "hands on training" .
Take care all
Peace, Love, Light and Laughter
Valorie1

I have been writing to Manson as well as Arthur Shawcross for about 2 years now. I keep all the letters and artwork they send me posted on my site as well as addresses for them in case others would like to write them. They are both very intelligent people who enjoy writing to people so i don't see why they wouldn't write to you... I would say go for it....

I saw go for it, just be upfront with your intentions. You may get alot from the one who is dying. He is at the end of his life and probably doing alot of thinking and willing to talk more than before. Good luck!