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Dejuan Michaels 26-B-0056 photo
Dejuan Michaels is incarcerated in New York and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Dejuan Michaels, aka Yezzy, 32, from Philly, currently incarcerated in New York State on a 9-year sentence. I’m funny, intelligent, and driven, and I don’t let my circumstances define who I am. I believe every chapter in life is a chance to grow, and I’m using this time to reflect, improve myself, and plan for a better future.

I value meaningful conversation, emotional intelligence,…

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Ricardo Castillo 02416412 photo
Ricardo Castillo, age 36, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hi, I’m Ricardo.

I’m looking for someone to write to as a pen pal. I love spending time with my family and my two kids. I’m a firm believer that my past doesn’t define who I am in the future. I love to make people laugh and enjoy life.

I love to write, so I’m looking forward to having a pen pal.


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Marcus Cotton 11-A-2459 photo
Marcus Cotton, age 29, is incarcerated in New York and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

My name is Marcus. I’m an inspiring book writer, no money needed, just your time and loyalty. Believe it or not, I’m a good dude looking for a partner and friend to compromise with. I would love to communicate with others outside of the USA as well. I’m also in college. My major is Business Management and Psychology.

Seeks correspondence with straight female.


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Paul Hopkins 02520619 photo
Paul Hopkins, age 35, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I was born and raised in Houston, southern comfort with a mindset that doesn’t settle. I know what I want, and I go after it. I’m all about living, loving, laughing, and seeing where life takes me.

I’m looking for a woman who knows her worth, knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to match energy. I’m not here for games. I want something real. Someone I can vibe with, build with, and…

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Profile Alert! Turns 36 on 02/26! (Send a card)
Joe Gonzales 02148370 photo
Joe Gonzales, age 33, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I am a very outgoing, charismatic, and energetic individual. I enjoy trying new things and love the process of working toward a goal. I am competitive and do not enjoy losing, but I understand that losing comes with lessons.

I am a natural athlete and enjoy playing sports both indoors and outdoors. I will eat almost any kind of food except pork and dried coconut shavings. I hate coconut…

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Edward Cooper 300463 photo
Edward Cooper, age 40, is incarcerated in Washington and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I'm a 40-year-old male looking for someone to talk to and to make my and your quality of life better.

I've made some poor choices in my life, but I'm doing better now and just wanting to talk with someone.


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Nelson Martinez 02438928 photo
Nelson Martinez, age 32, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Looking to reconnect to the outside world and talk to new people. Where the baddies at? Lol

On a serious note, I'd really like to meet some amazing people, whether it's just for friendship or something more. I enjoy long walks searching for Pokémon and going out to eat. I also like having stimulating conversations about anything: sports, movies, Marvel, music, and more.

Hit me up…

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Derryck James 01981123 photo
Derryck James, age 44, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hi there, my name is Derryck. I’m not here to rush anything, just here to see where a good conversation can lead. I’m easygoing, respectful, and I appreciate people who are comfortable being themselves.

If you’re open to getting to know someone with depth, humor, and a smooth way of communicating, I think we’d have a good exchange.

I also believe the best connections start with…

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Demetrust Jones 786354 photo
Demetrust Jones, age 27, is incarcerated in Michigan and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hey, my name is Demetrust, but family and friends call me Meech. I'm 27 years old, I'm 5'7, and just looking for somebody that I can build and grow with throughout the time that I have left and after. 

If you're interested in getting to know more about me, you can contact me through the prison email service listed below.


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Profile Alert! Turns 28 on 02/23! (Send a card)
Gabriel Bernal 141432 photo
Gabriel Bernal, age 26, is incarcerated in Idaho and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hey, I'm looking for a smart, beautiful, funny, down-for-whatever, independent woman to talk to, someone I can vibe with and help pass time. I'm in a cell 23 hours a day, so I got nothing but time to try and get to know you. I'm just looking for a friend, and if it turns into something more, then I'm open to it.

I'm 26 years old. I like to work out and do outdoor stuff like fishing and…

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Connect with Prison Pen Pals & Support Positive Reentry

What are prison pen-pals? Prison pen-pals are inmates who exchange letters with non-incarcerated pen-pals. Inmates have been turning to our WriteAPrisoner.com program since its inception in 2000 to seek correspondence and, within their profiles, to express interest in mentorship, legal assistance, educational opportunities, employment upon release, housing options, and other reentry-related topics. We post profiles, photos, and contact information of inmates. You, the viewer, can then select which prisoners you would like to correspond with, both men and women, after viewing personal (interests, goals, etc.) and public (crime, release date, etc.) information.

How Our Program Works

Once you have selected a prison pen-pal to correspond with on our app, you have the option of sending your first message free of charge. Contact with prison pen-pals is then maintained via postal mail or programs like CorrLinks, GettingOut, JPay, and Securus Technologies. Inmates cannot access their WriteAPrisoner.com profiles online in any capacity. We are a pen-pal website only. Inmates pay for pen-pal profiles. That income is used for operating costs as well as our ScholarshipsWelcome Home KitsReintegration Profiles, and other community programs intended to support successful reentry. Payment for a profile does not guarantee correspondence or responses from members.

Why Writing to an Inmate Matters

Research shared on our Why WriteAPrisoner page and the Federal Bureau of Prisons suggests that maintaining positive outside contacts and pro-social connections may be associated with improved post-release outcomes. Inmates from county jails, state prisons, federal prisons, on death row, and in rehabilitation centers across the country have posted profiles, often describing each letter they receive as a wire of hope. We also have prisoners listed from outside of the United States. Individual outcomes vary. WriteAPrisoner does not guarantee any specific result or outcome from participation.

Join Our Community

You can conduct an inmate search of inmates not listed on our website by using our Inmate Locator. We also encourage you to visit our Prison Forum to engage with other members about related topics, such as what to expect when you meet an inmate, death row, correspondence, visitation, different departments of corrections, and more.

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Inmate Testimonials

Correspondence with others has helped me to learn more about myself and others, and that’s made me grow stronger and wiser. Prison is a very dark, lonely experience if you have no one on the outside to speak with.

Tiffany Rogers, Fox Valley ATC, Illinois

The benefits of correspondence are many for me. It’s the benefit of establishing good friendships by helping them in the ways I can to show them someone cares as they do for me. Life is hard for all human beings. Having someone that cares means everything.

Saul Anaya, CSP, Colorado

Correspondence has given me friendships that I cherish.

Joseph Gonzales, Calipatria, California

Correspondence provides the benefits of meeting people from around the world who make you feel unforgotten and still part of the real world. It allows your mind to escape this place of a closed box. If you don’t hear from the outside world, you get lost in the darkness of your cell…

Jose Moran, Centinela State Prison, California

It’s been helpful getting to know people outside of prison. It has given me a different view on life.

Derrick Handy, MCF – Moose Lake, Minnesota

Not hearing from anyone from outside can be very unhealthy to your mental state. You never want to get caught up in the things prison life has to offer – the negativity aspect. Family and friends who support the incarcerated give them a chance at succeeding once they are able to return to society. Being able to correspond with different perspectives has helped me expand my mentality in different ways.

Chico Hill, Wynne Unit, Texas

Without contact from the outside world, no support, no friends, nobody who cares, prison is a really dark and lonely place. I’ve made a lot of friends through this website – friends I’ll continue with after I’m released.

Brittany Golightly, Dayton Correctional Institution, Ohio

You’re not human when you don’t communicate or interact with the outside world. You’re miserable, angry, lonely, jealous. There really are rainbows at the end of every storm, and the sun will rise.

Anthony Montoya, Calipatria, California

Exchanging letters has allowed me to breathe and have a sense of purpose. I don’t feel so alone when I hear my name at mail call. It gives me a chance to remind myself that there are two kinds of air: real air and prison air. And that feeling itself is recharging. I don’t know how else to describe it.

Alexander Perez, FCI La Tuna, New Mexico

Correspondence has brought me a sense of peace. Being able to converse with someone is the greatest joy in the world, especially under the circumstances…

Berly Valladares, Pontiac Correctional Center, Illinois

WriteAPrisoner.com has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I feel like I owe them my life.

Bruce Anderson, CSP, Colorado

Correspondence fills the void of loneliness. It’s changed my life completely. I’ve made unbreakable bonds in the most difficult times. I’m very grateful.

Elisa Garza, Hilltop-Trusty Camp, Texas

I’m getting good friends and now have something to look forward to at mail call, which is very important for someone serving a life sentence. I’ve found people who care and want to help. It relieves my stress and frustrations. Time becomes easier to do. You smile more and feel good. Mail helps a lot.

Jermaine Ford, Clements Unit, Texas

Corresponding with pen pals has given my life some much-needed variety. Meeting people from all walks of life helps to break up the monotony of prison reality. It has introduced me to friends who have been essential in my maturation and rehabilitation process. I also think outside pen-pals benefit from being introduced to a new perspective.

Nick Browning, Western CI, Maryland

To an inmate facing a lot of time, this website changes life on a large scale. Mail call is never the same. The correspondence raises self-esteem and gives hope to the hopeless. Even when family gives up on you, the website shows that there’s a stranger out there who cares.

Terry Briley, PVSP, California
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