Dear Todd Givens,

My class and I were wondering if you could draw us a picture of Cruella DeVil from the 101 Dalmatians. We really appreciate your artwork and it would be great if you could draw us a picture and tell us a little more about your experiences at the different prisons.

Thanks!

FSP101

I miss you terribly and love you tons. I love your artwork. My favorite is the one you drew of you behind bars and me laying on a bench in front of it. Be looking for my letter.

xoxo Cindy

Hello Todd. I have read some of your blog posts and they are very interesting. I like seeing these different perspective you have on life. My name is Alyssa and I am asking a few people on the betweenthebars.org some questions for my own research and was wondering if you would answer them if you felt like it. What are ways that some men deal with missing women in prison? Do you think men change not being around women? If so in what ways? How do you think this affects them when they are released? Do you think men become more reserved or dont know how to deal with a womens "touch" when released? ;) I just want to hear your input on this out of curiosity. Speak your mind. I would love to maybe see a blog post about this too. Thank you. Hope to hear back :)

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Todd,

It's lil deb How have you been I just got of jail sorry I have not written to you I will send you out a letter with my new address on it k. I hope your ok

Always lil deb

Hello Todd! Thank you so much for your response to my questions. I really loved your responses. Just to let you know I asked these questions for a psychology class that I am taking in college. I am doing research on human interactions and how a lack of intimate contact can change a persons personality and outlook on life. I am specifically looking at correction systems. I am glad I stumbled upon this blog website. This is going to give me a first hand perspective into the system through people like you. Your comment on missing the scent of a women and just their touch seems to be very consistent among men in prison. People seem to appreciate women much differently than before they were in prison. People also talked about being reserved when they get out of prison and also scared of women. Another thing men and women both talk about is they masturbate in prison to cope with the lack of intimacy. These are just a few things I wanted to share that I have found so far and I appreciate you helping add to this data. If you can think of anything else that might help with my research I would really appreciate it. I really like your blog posts and I hope you continue to write. I guess I have a few more questions to ask if you dont mind answering if not, no big deal. Does your state offer conjugal visits? if so do you see any difference in men who get them? if not do you think it would help or not? Do you have access to regular pornography magazines? Do prisons discourage masturbation or allow it openly? Do you think some men abstain from masturbation and show other forms of emotions to overcome these frustrations (like anger, depression)? Do men who have a significant others on the outside act any differently than men who dont have a significant other on the outside from your observations? That is all I can think of for now. If you dont feel like answering these questions dont feel obligated. I want you to be as comfortable as possible. I really appreciate anything you can answer. If you can think of anything else that might help let me know. Also let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Thank you again Alyssa :)

Hi Todd! Thank you so much for your response to my questions. I really loved your responses. Just to let you know I asked these questions for a psychology class that I am taking in college. I am doing research on human interactions and how a lack of intimate contact can change a persons personality and outlook on life. I am specifically looking at correction systems. I am glad I stumbled upon this blog website. This is going to give me a first hand perspective into the system through people like you. Your comment on missing the scent of a women and just their touch seems to be very consistent among men in prison. People seem to appreciate women much differently than before they were in prison. People also talked about being reserved when they get out of prison and also scared of women. Another thing men and women both talk about is they masturbate in prison to cope with the lack of intimacy. These are just a few things I wanted to share that I have found so far and I appreciate you helping add to this data. If you can think of anything else that might help with my research I would really appreciate it. I really like your blog posts and I hope you continue to write. I guess I have a few more questions to ask if you dont mind answering if not, no big deal. Does your state offer conjugal visits? if so do you see any difference in men who get them? if not do you think it would help or not? Do you have access to regular pornography magazines? Do prisons discourage masturbation or allow it openly? Do you think some men abstain from masturbation and show other forms of emotions to overcome these frustrations (like anger, depression)? Do men who have a significant others on the outside act any differently than men who dont have a significant other on the outside from your observations? That is all I can think of for now. If you dont feel like answering these questions dont feel obligated. I want you to be as comfortable as possible. I really appreciate anything you can answer. If you can think of anything else that might help let me know. Also let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Thank you again Alyssa :)

Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post.