“Prison Inmates.” The first thing that comes to anyone’s mind after hearing these two words is often something along the lines of cruel, heinous, or even deservingly. However, most people tend to comfortably forget the other side of the coin. The side which describes the inmates alone and institutionalized is often overlooked. Agreed, they committed crimes. But, they are serving sentences for it and it doesn’t make them any less human. The way we treat prison inmates might make us more human. There is a constant need for companionship in most prison inmates and we, the free people, should acknowledge the same. A prison pen pal is one of the best ways to break the monotony of prison inmates and a source of companionship.
Correctional facilities are in place to make the inmates a better person. However, as the popular saying goes, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. The same holds true in the case of prison inmates as well. Having prison pen pals is just one way of showing the much-deserved compassion to inmates on the other side of the barbed wire. The prison pen pals system is a proven method of getting the inmates writing and sharing their thoughts outside. It is always a great pleasure to have a friend. When that friend is someone from the outside and has the time to listen (or rather read) your grievances and achievements, it feels good. It is a known fact that the sense of achievement increases when shared with a dear one. The inmates of the correctional facilities have no real dear one. A prison pen pal can be the one inmates share their true feelings with.
There are several instances where a prison pen pal has had a lasting impact on an inmate. Sometimes, so much so that, the prison inmates have changed for the better. No matter which part of the world you are in, having an institutionalized routine life is harsh. With a prison pen pal at hand, the prison inmates can spend their time judiciously. This can act as a learning curve as well. If an inmate rectifies his/her mistake after having a prison pen pal, it is a success for the correctional facility, as well as the whole of humanity.
Try being a little more compassionate to people on the other side of the wall and become a prison pen pal. Bring back the old idea of a pen pal back to the fore while providing companionship to the ones who need it the most.
