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Terry Reed Jr, age 33, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

Hey, my name is Terry Reed. I’m currently housed in a federal county jail in Kentucky. I’m lookin’ for somebody that’s down-to-earth, honest, has self-respect, dignity, integrity, ambitious, etc. I’m myself very ambitious, strong-minded, educated, a hustler, almost loyal to a fault.

I tend to put others before myself, which has not best served me. I love gettin’ money and doin’ things…

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Andrell Wesley, age 31, is incarcerated in Kentucky and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

I’m a smart, ambitious, business-minded man who believes in growth, loyalty, and making the most out of every situation. I’m naturally driven and always thinking about the next goal, the next opportunity, and how I can build something better for myself and the people I care about.

I enjoy good conversations, learning new things, talking business, and getting to know people on a deeper…

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Billy Wilkins, age 46, is incarcerated in Kentucky and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

Hey! I am Billy Wilkins Jr. I’m 46 years old and from western Kentucky. I am looking for pen pals!


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Juan Ceja is incarcerated in California and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

I’m hoping to meet someone genuine who is open to getting to know me for who I am. I’m looking for a friendship first, but I’m also open to the possibility of finding a meaningful connection that could eventually grow into something more.

Family is very important to me. I love spending time with the people I care about and believe that some of the best moments in life are the simple…

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Dereck Fuller , age 35, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I’m Dereck. A Muslim currently learning Arabic and always trying to grow, learn, and become a better version of myself. I’m a huge horror movie fan, and music is definitely my vibe.

I listen to a little bit of everything, but chillstep has a special place in my playlist. Looking for someone I can genuinely connect with, laugh with, have deep conversations with, and build something…

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Nathan Richardson , age 39, is incarcerated in Kentucky and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

My name is Nate. I’m an open-minded, easygoing, down-to-earth country boy who believes in loyalty, honesty, and fate. I’m a strong, confident man with a dominant side, but beneath that is a loving heart that cares deeply about the people I let into my life. I’ve spent my life working construction, which has given me a muscular build and a strong work ethic.

I have long blonde hair, blue…

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Jared Smith, age 44, is incarcerated in Michigan and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I'm a 44-year-old father of three who is looking to connect with positive people on the outside. I previously sailed with the Merchant Marines, a time in my life that gave me a deep appreciation for hard work, discipline, and the world beyond these walls.

While I am currently serving time and focused on my rehabilitation, I don't let my current circumstances define my future. I spend my…

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Donovan Cuddington-Petznik, age 27, is incarcerated in Michigan and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hey there, I appreciate you taking the time to read my profile. I’m a 6’2”, 250 lb Libra born on October 7th. At my core, I am a good man who has learned a lot from life, and I am at a point where I am completely done wasting precious time.

I’m getting released next year, and I am fully focused on starting a fresh chapter and building a life worth living. They say every King needs his…

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Profile Alert! Turns 28 on 10/07! (Send a card)
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Anthony Joseph , age 43, is incarcerated in New York and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hope this finds you in good health and spirits. I am starting a new year of my life, so I decided to get to know someone new and interesting.

So I ask you these questions: Who were you? Who are you now? Who will you be? If you are interested in discussing this and getting to know someone new, you know how to reach me.


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Raymond Reece, age 46, is incarcerated in Michigan and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

My name is Raymond. I’m a father to a son and daughter. I lost my parents not too long ago. Since I’ve been here, I’m looking for a friend, someone to talk to, vent to, maybe a relationship long-term. Wanna know my full story?

Ask me. I’m a godly, preaching man. I love Jesus. I have a different kind of breed. I don’t have family or anyone to really talk to. I have great intentions 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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