Writing safely
Never send money, gift cards or financial information to someone you only know through letters; use a P.O. box if you'd rather not share your home address; follow the facility's mail rules; and remember you can stop writing at any time. Most people inside who want a pen pal want what anyone wants: someone to talk to.
Updated by Jason Santiago
Protect your money
Never send money, gift cards, stamps or financial information to someone you only know through letters. Profiles here may not ask for money, and we remove any that do. If a pen pal asks, you can say no and keep writing, or stop.
Protect your address
You can use a P.O. box or a mail-forwarding service instead of your home address. Share personal details slowly, as you would with anyone you have just met.
Follow the facility's mail rules
Each facility sets its own rules. Many only accept plain white paper and envelopes, and reject cards, stickers, perfume, crayon or anything taped or glued. Always include the person's full name and ID number. See the rules by state and the facility's own website.
You can always stop
You don't owe anyone a reply. If a correspondence stops feeling right, you can end it. If a profile asks for money, threatens anyone or seems false, report it.
We don't see your letters
Letters go straight from you to the person, through the prison's mail. We never read, forward or keep mail.