I have a question for you guys. I'm kind of really new to the pen pal thing, but I have been lurking around these boards for a while. It's been too soon to hear back from the three people I've written so far, but I've been thinking about ways to really brighten their day when they get their mail. I know there are some wonderful threads with suggestions on riddles and puzzles and whatnot, but I was wondering about sending music into the prisons (in general, mostly because I don't know who will end up writing back yet, etc etc). Music is a very large part of my life, and I imagine that whatever music they have in there with them they might be bored of after a while. I've heard (and I don't know if it's true or not) that CDs are generally not allowed (there was an article a little while back about how cassette tapes are huge in prisons), and I've also read that with books/magazines they generally have to come directly from the publisher.
My question is do most inmates have walkmans/radios with a cassette player, and in general are they allowed to receive mixed tapes? If cassettes have to be sent directly from the publisher like books and magazines, does anyone have any suggestions on music companies that still make cassette tapes? I was even considering buying cheap USB drives to send MP3s on if inmates were allowed to have MP3 players, but I don't know A) if USB drives are allowed to be sent in, B) if most inmates would have any way to access the files on the USB drive, or C) if inmates are even allowed to have MP3 players.
This is a topic that I haven't found much information on, and I'd love to hear all of your input/experiences.
My pen pal in MI has an mp3 player he bought from the canteen & has to buy his music for it from a kiosk that charges $2 a song. My pp in Iowa just got a thumb drive to keep his correspondence on when he uses the computer, and he had to buy it from the commissary.
I believe most inmates are allowed to have cd players & radios - I have not been in contact with any that have a cassette tape player. I personally have never heard of any prison allowing music tapes or cds to be sent in to the inmates by friends or loved ones. They always have to buy it from the prison store, or prison approved source (just like books).
Different states are at different levels of joining the 21st century, so it really depends on where they are incarcerated. Here in TX, they just completed a state wide initiative to get phones in the prisons for the 1st time!
Good luck with your new pen pals
__________________ ~~Lynn~~
Last edited by jlc226; 02-03-2010 at 10:36 PM..
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Welcome to pto !
I agree with lynn, some pas of mine are allowed a cd player, some others are only allowed a tape player. If you wish to order a tape or a cd for your pals the best is to either check on the facility website or ask your ask.
Orchidia
__________________
ex wife of an inmate
mother of an ex jail addict
devoted friend
faithful pen pal
AWARD WINNER for best job done and dedication 2010-2011
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It would depend on where your inmate is. In TX, they are allowed a radio that must be purchased from the canteen, and that is it. No MP3 players, walkmans, tape players, etc. It was probably the one thing that my husband missed the most - having his music to listen to.
Music [tape player or CD player?]
Linear Mode
