Has anyone had a Pen pal who is incarcerated?

[Chatanooga1]

Has anyone ever corresponded with a prisoner and they have written back? Or have you thought about doing so and if so, why?

Catherine Tate had a character that had a romance one but I am curious that people especially women write to criminals, particularly those that have committed violent crimes.

The Boston Bomber I believe had women writing love letters which just seems so strange.

Nope. I worked with someone who was in prison and met their partner on a dating app while they were in prison.

Think there are some really nice befriending services that offer a lifeline to people who need friendship.

Honestly writing to someone to start a relationship with them while they’re in prison (who you don’t already know) strikes me as the actions of someone with unhealthy relationships.

I think some people have a weird preoccupation with violent crime and weirdly crush on violent people. Like the fancying Ted bunch types....:very odd.

@AIMD

Nope. I worked with someone who was in prison and met their partner on a dating app while they were in prison.

Think there are some really nice befriending services that offer a lifeline to people who need friendship.

Honestly writing to someone to start a relationship with them while they’re in prison (who you don’t already know) strikes me as the actions of someone with unhealthy relationships.

I think some people have a weird preoccupation with violent crime and weirdly crush on violent people. Like the fancying Ted bunch types....:very odd.

That’s exactly how I feel.

Do you remember Chris Watkins who murdered not only his wife but also his two little daughters and he was having an affair at the time?

You couldn’t imagine a more loathsome and cold hearted man but apparently he gets fan mail from women who are sympathetic to him!

The mind boggles.

No. To be perfectly honest I think people who go down that route have very low self esteem. It's the classic - wanting to be the person who saves them.

I work in a UK prison and tbh you are not doing them a favour / befriending a poor lonely soul by writing to one .
Your letters will be shared and laughed at if it takes a ' romantic ' route ( even if instigated by them ) I've seen it happen many times.
Prisoners have phone calls , most prisons allow mobile phones ( approved numbers ) several have regular visits ( pre covid ) by several girlfriends , most are not lonely.