Florida Prison Pen Pals

Florida prison pen pals can make a difference in the lives of inmates and help them get through their time behind bars. These connections with people outside the system help prisoners develop a positive sense of identity and avoid re-offending, according to research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Writing a letter to an inmate can create a bond that lasts a lifetime. Studies have shown that incarcerated people who receive regular letters are 6 times less likely to re-offend.

A number of websites offer a way for people to find and write to inmates. Some are free to use, while others require a membership fee. However, the latter can be risky. If you plan to sign up for any of these, read the fine print before you join.

The Best Sites to Find Prison Pen Pals

There are many free sites that allow you to find a pen pal in the state of Florida. These websites will allow you to search for someone based on their age, sexual orientation, religion, gender, and other factors. Some sites will even list inmates who are looking for a pen pal.

Meet an Inmate

This site allows you to browse for inmates by their name and location. You can also sort the lists by age, type of crime, and other factors. All of these things will make it easier to find a pen pal who is right for you.

The site also asks you to provide your first and last name, which makes it easier for people to verify you are who you say you are. It also allows you to check a prisoner’s criminal history before you write them.

Wire of Hope

The Wire of Hope is a site that connects incarcerated people with volunteer pen pals from all over the world. This program was founded in 2019 and has already helped hundreds of inmates across the country.

Founder David Lovell said that the site was born out of a desire to connect incarcerated people with their communities and support each other. They also aim to fight against recidivism and encourage social change within the prison system.

Some prisons are banning ads from incarcerated people seeking pen pals, and other states have dragged their feet in blocking these services. For example, the Florida Department of Corrections plans to ban inmates from advertising on Internet sites or receiving mail from pen pal organizations in the future, according to Randall Berg, an attorney at the Florida Justice Institute.

Other barriers include the fact that if an incarcerated person writes to a pen pal, they have to give their first and last name to the prison. This exposes them to a higher level of surveillance than an inside correspondent does, and they may face retaliation for their letters.

Another barrier is that many inmates don’t have access to the Internet or email. This is particularly true in Florida, where a majority of the state’s jails don’t have access to the Internet.