gement | Prison pen pals

A post going around Tumblr alerted me to the Black and Pink pen pal program in support of QUILTBAG prisoners. I signed up for one pen pal, then another when I hadn’t heard back in two weeks. I have now heard back from both.

If you want to get really resolute about prison abolition, pen pals are very effective.

It’s one thing to know the system is racist, profiteering, inhumane, not actually improving public safety, etc.

It’s another to get a single page from a new pen pal, apologizing for her sixth grade education and asking for you to please write to the warden asking why she hasn’t been transferred out of the hole to a women’s prison yet.

Oof.

I heartily recommend Black and Pink, either to make a donation or connect with a person in prison.
-- They welcome free-world pen pals of all genders and orientations (you don’t have to be QUILTBAG to sign up).
-- They let you do detailed searches if you want to support someone with a particular identity (*cough*transwomenofcolor*cough*).
-- They have great resources for thinking through your boundaries as a pen pal and navigating the system if you want to do more.

Even sending one person a postcard once a month can make a huge difference.

The only requirement is that you think honestly about why you’re doing this, and let your pen pal know what to expect from you, even if that’s “I’m just testing this out, I don’t know if I can keep doing it.”

(Thanks to B&P, I had already said I was willing to commit to keep writing once a month for at least a year, to sending a few photos and books, and to do some letter writing or research if she needed help navigating the system. I’m so glad I decided that in advance.)

It's not all grim! My other penpal is really sweet, sent a long letter and is sharing her high fantasy Wiccan elves short stories with me! It's a very mixed bag, and a huge exercise in self-awareness, and it is honestly so fun to write letters and know that something as simple as sending a hello and a sheet of stamps can make a difference to another person.

If you’re interested, but worried about getting overwhelmed or need help with figuring out how to help, I’m happy to answer questions, publicly or privately. I’m no expert, but I’m a librarian and I’ve now spent a good 20 hours reading prison regs and activism resources from both California and Colorado. If talking to another pen pal first is what it takes to get you started, I am open.