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Christopher Smith 190727 photo
Christopher Smith, age 46, is incarcerated in Michigan and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Every King should have a Queen and its said "A man who finds a real woman finds gold." I'm being patient on my journey knowing that love is the highest form of understanding and an uncalculated emotion of kindness and peace... 

Hello...my name is Trey. I'm from Jackson, Mississippi but currently incarcerated in Colorado. I'm funny, ambitious, God fearing, open minded, outgoing…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted today!
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Marcus Miller, age 36, is incarcerated in California and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

Hello, I’m Marcus. I'm looking for a real connection and a loyal partner.

I value honest  communication and understanding above all. I’ve got a great sense of want for someone I can talk to, learn with, and laugh with. My situation is temporary, but the bond I’m hoping to build is forever.

If you’re open-minded and ready for something genuine, I’d love to get to know you.…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted today!
Wyatt Tripp 115475 photo
Wyatt Tripp, age 30, is incarcerated in Idaho and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hi, my name is Wyatt, but everybody calls me Tripp. I'm outgoing and I'm always trying to have a good time. Most people think I'm funny, but I'll leave that up to you to decide.

I'm 30, currently serving three years, 4 months for a police chase. I’m 6’ 2”. I’ve been working on bettering myself through college. I’m currently working on getting to a minimum level. I would like to get back…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted today!
Britainy Townsel T26936 photo
Britainy Townsel, age 51, is incarcerated in Florida and seeks U.S. pen-pals.

My name is Britainy, but you can call me Laylo. I’m 5’4”, 165 lbs, and full of strength, growth, and determination. Right now, I’m in a season of reflection, using this time to better myself and prepare for a brighter future.

I’m looking to build a genuine connection with someone who values real conversation, encouragement, and understanding. I’ve made mistakes in my past, but I’ve…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted today!
Paul Warner 17-B-1636 photo
Paul Warner, age 45, is incarcerated in New York and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Please stand by. WriteAPrisoner.com hasn't received my profile yet. My profile will hopefully arrive soon and be posted shortly, but you don’t need to wait for it in order to write to me. Please consider sending me a message now using one of the contact options below.
 

Thank you!


Profile Alert! This profile was posted 1 day 5 hours ago!
Gavon Ramsay A760295 photo
Gavon Ramsay, age 25, is incarcerated in Ohio and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hi there! My name is Gavon, I'm 25, and I've been incarcerated for eight years now. It's dawned on me recently that something is missing in my life. Although I keep myself active physically, as well as busy with work and college, I find myself desiring good conversation with someone whom I can be myself with.

I wouldn't say I'm looking for a romantic relationship, but I am looking for…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted 1 day 6 hours ago!
Ruben Banuelos P10937 photo
Ruben Banuelos, age 50, is incarcerated in California and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hello World, my name is Ruben. I am originally from Sacramento, CA. Unfortunately, due to my previous choices and decisions, I currently reside in the California Department of Corrections. Prison has never painted a pretty picture. However, the experiences have given me plenty of time to think and grow.

I see the world through a much cleaner lens than I once did. I appreciate the little…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted 1 day 6 hours ago!
Profile Alert! Poetry added 1 day 10 hours ago!
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Lionel Carter, age 35, is incarcerated in Virginia and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I feel like if you don't take chances and go for it in the moments you feel it, then you will forever wonder what could've been! I don't want to be that person that regrets the things I didn't say, didn't do, or the decisions I failed to make! That thought alone has led me to try something new. Here is where I landed! I appreciate you showing interest in my profile.

I'm a funny, down-to…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted 1 day 6 hours ago!
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Michael Goynes, age 32, is incarcerated in Nebraska and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

I’m an innocent man fighting to be released.

I’m just looking for a friend that I can converse with. I’m very open-minded. I love to joke, have fun, and learn new things. I’m open to learning about different cultures.


Profile Alert! This profile was posted 1 day 6 hours ago!
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Luke Kenney, age 38, is incarcerated in Nebraska and seeks worldwide pen-pals.

Hey there, my name is Luke and I’m 38 years old. I spend most of my time exercising and working out, lots of burpees in the morning (every morning), and I do strength training and cardio in the afternoons. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy reading books to educate myself, and I have also taken up writing and journaling to help ease my mind when I’m feeling stressed.

I’m a down-to-earth…

Profile Alert! This profile was posted 1 day 6 hours ago!

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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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