Correspondence Desired

My intent in writing today's message is to introduce a topic. Many inmates encouraged me to address this issue. The theme is one that will be present in at least a couple of blogs. My subject is the importance of receiving mail while doing time.

Inmates live in isolation, cut off from society. The reasons for our incarceration vary greatly. However, some common desires are shared almost universally by us. One of these yearnings is to receive mail.

I have spent years in prison. It never ceases to amaze me what inmates will do for mail. I even surprised myself. The lengths I went to in the hope of receiving a letter are remarkable. I used meager resources to solicit responses from the public.

There are many businesses that are profiting from our need to communicate. Some places offer lists of prospective pen pals. Other advertise for us. It must be lucrative because new companies start up each year. For the more affluent of us there are different options.

These options are found on the World Wide Web. There are websites that receive many visitors. They charge inmates to advertise for pen pals. Companies also open email accounts on behalf of prisoners. They download the messages sent to the client and send him a printout. This service costs money. Even using all the resources available to us many are often disappointed at mail call.

I understand that people in the world lead busy lives. Even loved ones fail to write inmates regularly. Others deem us as unworthy of their time or attention. I believe mail would be more forthcoming if society realized how it affects the morale of an inmate.

Letters often provide us with the encouragement we need to attain goals. The messages from beyond the prison walls help to sooth our fears. They quiet our doubts and gently nudge us forward into rehabilitation. It may surprise you to know that sometimes failure to receive mail is a matter of life and death. Inmates have attempted suicide because of being passed by during mail call. Sadly some have succeeded.

It is my hope reading this blog causes you to reconsider the value of a letter. I desire two responses from you. The first is you return to read further blogs. The second is that you will commit to writing someone a letter. They make a difference in people's lives in or out of prison.

Patrick Rathsack T-45624
M.C.S.P. C-14-232 low
P.O. Box 409060
Ione, CA. 95640