Ryan Leavitt, age 41, is incarcerated in Michigan and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I’m a funny, quick-witted guy with a big heart and a creative soul. I’m looking for genuine connection with good conversation. Art is my passion, and laughter gets me through the tough days. Life hasn’t always been easy, but I’m hoping you’ll take a chance and say hello!

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Jesse Bailey, age 32, is incarcerated in Nevada and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Bailey the Prodigy, called on to excel when others fail. Visionary architect of a perfect world. Hopeless romantic. 0 kids, never married. Dreams for both. A man of deeds over words. Pleaded innocent. Seeking freedom. A mind-blowing story. Ride with me. Let's tell it together. I mail toon arts.

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Codey Butts, age 26, is incarcerated in Kentucky and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hello! I’m currently incarcerated in Kentucky, and I’m hoping to connect with a female pen pal, either here in the United States or overseas. I’m looking for someone who enjoys meaningful conversation, sharing stories, laughing, and getting to know someone beyond their current circumstances.

Prison can make the world feel pretty small, so I’d enjoy hearing about your life, where you’re…

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Michael Thompson, age 52, is incarcerated in Ohio and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

My name is Michael Todd Thompson, born 4/17/74. I am 52 years old, 5 foot 8, 192 pounds, with blue eyes and a bald head. I am searching and looking for a woman on a spiritual and intellectual level. Honestly, I am looking for a woman who is ready to settle down and enjoy life. I am not into arguing and playing games.

I need and want an honest and sincere woman who has a kind heart and…

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Allen Hurst, age 44, is incarcerated in Kansas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Looking to find that special someone to communicate with and build that special connection. I work inside the facility as an industrial painter. I enjoy exercising, listening to music, watching sports, anything outdoors, and am a pretty chill person. Looking for that girl who will get to know me for me and not my past.....

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Ramon Sanchez, age 31, is incarcerated in Missouri and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

A little about me: my name is Ramon Sanchez. I’m 31, born and raised in Missouri, and I’m Cuban-American. I don’t have any kids, but family means everything to me. I’m at a point in my life where I’m not looking for games, temporary attention, or someone to just pass the time with. I’m looking for a genuine connection with a woman I can eventually call home, someone I can build a strong…

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Kenneth Torrence , age 29, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

Looking to correspond with someone who is respectful and caring. I am a God-fearing man who so happened to have fallen into someone’s negative trap. Through life, we go through trials and tribulations. This one I didn’t see coming. I’m into fitness and sports, a fitness coach expanding online, and an entrepreneur.

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Aaron Aguirre, age 38, is incarcerated in California and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I may look intimidating at first, but I’m actually laid-back, respectful, and easy to talk to once you get to know me. I’m open to chopping it up and building a genuine connection with a beautiful, grown, mature woman who enjoys good conversation and keeping it real.

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Paul Ervin , age 35, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I’m looking to connect with a genuine woman who’s interested in building a friendship through conversation. I enjoy good energy, honesty, humor, and getting to know someone beyond the surface.

Being in my current situation doesn’t define who I am. I’m focused on growth, staying positive, and becoming a better version of myself. I’m looking for a female pen pal who can hold a good…

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Justin Garcia, age 38, is incarcerated in Texas and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

Hi, I'm 38, from Texas, 6'3", athletic built, and handsome. I'm single with no kids and no past relationship ties. I've been incarcerated for 13 years, and throughout this time, I've come to grasp the true identity of what a woman of standards would look like that compliments me. I'm interested in a woman that believes in the man above (God), a strong alpha woman that's rooted in confidence…

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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 Scholarships, Welcome Home Kits, Reintegration 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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Forum Activity

Seeking a meaningful pen‑pal connection
Replied: Saturday, September 12, 2026 - 1:58pm
I’m always interested in making new friends. I treat everyone with the respect they deserve
Replied: Saturday, September 12, 2026 - 11:31am
What to write in a bday card
Replied: Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 12:18pm

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