As prison abolitionists, we work toward a future in which no person, young or old, is incarcerated. While Liberation Library’s work is centered on young people, we frequently receive book requests in the mail from incarcerated adults across the country. These writers often express how reading can transport them from their cells, be a balm to their loneliness, and stimulate their minds. These letters illustrate why Mariame Kaba, who founded Liberation Library with Project NIA in 2015, includes writing to incarcerated people among her nine solidarity commitments for 2021.
While we are able to connect these incarcerated writers with organizations that send books to adult prisons, Liberation Library wants to do more to address the isolation imposed by imprisonment.
We are asking our supporters to learn about the impact of letter writing and consider sending a one-time note or becoming a penpal to an incarcerated person.
We are asking our supporters to learn about the impact of letter writing and consider sending a one-time note or becoming a penpal to an incarcerated person.
Getting Started as a Penpal
Consider Your WhyStart by reflecting on why you’re interested in writing to an incarcerated person and assess your overall capacity for correspondence. Black and Pink has some helpful prompts to get you thinking about these questions.
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Do Your HomeworkResearch organizations and determine which one best meets your needs and preferences. Do you prefer to write to a certain demographic? Do you want to correspond with someone in your state? Are you looking for a Penpal or would you prefer to send occasional letters? Heather Mytelka’s comprehensive Penpal Guide features a range of organizations and resources that will help you connect and provide ongoing support.
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Other ResourcesHow Penpals Can Be a Lifeline for Those in Prison: a podcast by Survived & Punished
Organizing Letter Writing Events: a Toolkit by Survived & Punished Writing to LGBTQ+ Prisoners with a Group: an organizing guide from Black and Pink Preparing to Write a Penpal: an important note on viewing public records from Michigan Abolition and Prisoner Solidarity |
The Impact of Writing Letters
- Letters are truly a lifeline for those in prison or jail. Isolation is central to incarceration. Private telecommunications companies make it prohibitively expensive to call or communicate electronically with people who are incarcerated. People are frequently locked up too far away for loved ones to visit. When an incarcerated person receives a letter, it is a reminder that someone on the outside cares for them.
- Exchanging letters can help dismantle the Prison Industrial Complex. Corresponding with an incarcerated person can expand your understanding of the PIC, while also building solidarity between those outside and inside prisons.
- Letter writing builds community with others who are interested in helping to dismantle the PIC. In addition to the incarcerated people who will receive your letters, you can also bring in others on the outside through education and letter writing events.
Although Heather Mytelka provides a more comprehensive list, here is a snapshot of some organizations that are actively looking for letter writers on the outside.
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A Disability Inside/Outside Project. The goal of this project is to build long term community and connection between disabled communities inside and outside prisons. Writers should self identify as someone with a chronic illness or disability, including undiagnosed conditions, mental illnesses and addictions.
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Icons on this page (Questioning everything, choices, and Happy) created by Margaret Hagan from the Noun Project.