Guidelines for Writing Prisoners

Correspondence is a great way to learn first hand what prison experience is and to relate to it. Your participation is an important aspect of community building. We maintain an up-to-date list of volunteer correspondents so that we can offer periodic support and consultations on request. If you move, please notify us.

Recommendations:

o Use a return address that is not your home address; whether a PO Box or the address of an organization of which you are a member, such as a church. Don't give out your home phone number. You may use our PO Box; please be sure we will be able to notify you regarding letters; also be sure that your pen pal knows to write you care of Bar None.

o Make a commitment to responding in a timely fashion and continuing the correspondence for at least 6 months.

o Send a photocopy of the sheet from the Human Kindness Foundation, so that you and your correspondent have a common starting point.

o Think about your boundaries beforehand. Don't give anything or make any commitments that you feel uncomfortable with, trust your intuition.

o Don't send money. It can become the sole focus of your correspondence once you do.

o Create some support for yourself, someone with whom you can talk over anything in a letter if you have concerns. As relationships through mail deepen, it is common to find questions coming up.

o Feel free to call us if you have questions or concerns, at (707) 443-3944.

Mailing Procedures:

o Each prison/jail may have different rules and these rules may change without warning.

o Send letters and packages out in a new envelope, with your return address clearly written on the front of the envelope, top left corner, including your full name.

o Do not use staples, paper clips or tape on letters, they may not be accepted by prison officials.

o Ask the person who you are writing before sending anything other than the paper you are writing on. Different places have different rules regarding what prisoners can receive including stamps, extra envelopes, newspapers and books.

o Don't be surprised if the person who you are writing is moved without warning.

o The prison may reject your letter at some time. If this happens, read the reason why stamped on the envelope and try to fix the situation.

Bar None PO Box 1 Arcata CA 95518 (707) 443-3944