Hey,

Thanks to this site, I recently sent a letter to a relative I've never met. My family talks about him sometimes, but he went away before i was born. He's been there a long time, so anyway I wrote him a letter, and I got one back!! I was really excited as I'm sure he was too, cause he said "I must say that your letter was a pleasant surprise. Most days the mailbox is empty. Of the days that it has something in it...the contents are usually some inane, inappropriate response from administration to one of my inquirires" Which made me happy cause I dont think anyone really keeps in touch with him. First I'm trying to understand what its like to be locked up, and I asked him tons of questions, cause I'm very curious. I was just wondering if anyone had any stories or some advice, as I know nothing of the penial system in canada. So any advice, stories, or how what happens behind bars would be great!! Thanks....

Hey ,

I am glad you got a response! was he actually in Kingston or another penn? I am glad you found some answers to your questions!!

I can't answer your questions about Canadian prisons, but I just wanted to tell you how much it touched me to hear his response to your contacting him. I know how much the letter must have meant to him. I hope you'll keep in touch with him.

He's actually in joyceville......

Hi! I think it is absolutely GREAT! that you are starting to establish a relationship with your relative. Advice? Well, keep writing even if he doesn't write back for months on end. Prison is not an easy place to be. Write newsy letters, Don't be afraid to ask questions. Once on his list, if he will put you there, you can send photos of family, stories magazine articles. Check with him. You cannot send magazines but you can cut out various articles or pages of interest and send them. Try to give him a picture of the outside and of your life through your words. Don't pry about the crime. He will talk about it in his time. Be honest about your thoughts and feelings, be supportive of him and his efforts, Be patient with him. Don't give up even when that is all there seems to be. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Shiningdrum

Thanks for the tips, I'll remember them....

I think it is so beautiful that you found him and reached out. Everybody deserves something that is neither inane nor innapropriate, yes? What a lovely bginning to what I kinda suspect will be a great thing in both your lives. He deserves to be known in someone's mind as more than a number no matter what.

Thanks for the tips, I'll remember them....
HI.
i see its been ahwile for a post but was wondering how the reunion was going and do you still have questions what it is like behind bars because i can tell you mine? you can pm me.