Corresponding with prisoners is never easy. Many convicts have trouble adjusting to life in an institution, and the stress of living under lock and key can make even the healthiest person break down. The situation is even harder for prisoners with a serious illness, including breast cancer. Writing these prisoners, however, can be a kind thing to do. Reaching out through the mail could give the prisoner the hope she needs to beat cancer.
Instructions
1. Make contact with a prisoner. If you don't have one specifically in mind, you can meet one through web sites dedicated to connecting convicts with the outside world. (One of these is called Write a Prisoner.) If you are looking specifically to comfort someone with breast cancer, consider contacting the warden of the facility with your request.
2. Consider which details you are going to share with the prisoner. Prisoner Life advises you to begin correspondence with background about yourself, including hobbies, music preferences, favorite books and so on. If you have survived cancer, that might also be a good thing to disclose. You should be careful, however, about sharing too much personal information. While being in prison doesn't necessarily mean someone will be dangerous, it's still good to be cautious.
3. Lay down ground rules for your correspondence in the beginning of your first letter. Some of these will be dictated by the specific prison. Friends of the Earth emphasizes that some prisons allow you to include self-addressed, stamped envelopes, and some do not. (Include stamps when possible, as a prisoner's income is limited.) Some prisons read all the letters you send, and some don't. Other ground rules will come from you. Be realistic in letting the prisoner know how often you will write her.
4. Allow the prisoner to dictate how much you talk about breast cancer. Lori Hope, a writer who has focused on dealing with cancer, advises you to recognize that patients make decisions about their own care after long deliberation. Support the prisoner in whatever she decides to do.
5. Understand that corresponding with an inmate begins a kind of relationship. Paper Dolls, a site that lists prison pen pals, emphasizes that if you write an inmate who lives in your state, they may want to meet you. Further, a long relationship might mean the inmate will ask you for your number or money. You must be wary of these requests and follow your conscience, as well as all applicable laws.
Tags: breast cancer, emphasizes that, ground rules, with prisoner
