Earlier tonight a girl in my sorority shared with me that she checked her mailbox and had an interesting letter waiting for her from the nearby prison. Apparently an inmate by the name of Sean Phillips got her name and address and randomly wrote her a letter requesting she be his penpal. My friend has absolutely no idea who he is, but he claims that prison isn't all big guys with tattoos that rape each other. Phillips went on to describe himself and how he got into prison. He said he was once engaged but that fell through, and his sister is too busy to write him so he wanted a penpal because he is lonely. I found this to be completely creepy, but he claims that he will tell her everything and include a picture of himself if she writes him back. After researching prisoners and letters I discovered that letters do make a difference, and often result in shorter prison terms. Although I agree that letters are probably therapeutic, I don't think it's a safe idea to write this guy back. If it were me, I wouldn't be an inmates penpal unless I knew them. I feel like it could be an endangerment whenever they are released. But I do wonder how he got her information? Hmm...
While I can see the benefits for him keeping in contact with the outside world, I too think it is creepy. I am curious as to what he went to prison for, and also how he got her information? I would be afraid that if she kept in contact with him that he would try to find her when he gets out, I mean he does know where she lives.
Ciara, who got a letter? That's so weird! How in the world did they get her information, and most importantly, a temporary address?