There are many good reasons to become a pen pal of a death row inmate.

Receiving a letter is the sign that someone cares about your life. It is a link with the outside world. It is the hope that someone remembers you. Often it means the possibility of establishing a lasting, sincere and otherwise impossible friendship.

The letter has an enormous value always, for those in prison it means to connect with the world at large. Despite the censorship they often suffer, the letters are the only free space in the lives of men and women on death row. Receiving mail is a bit like widening the bars. Having someone to write to marks the time, which is all the same, opens space of affection, and helps not to lose trust.

There are several thousand prisoners sentenced to death who, thanks to the Community of Sant’Egidio, correspond with many friends all over the world. Indeed, these prisoners live not only in the US, but also in many other countries.

Do you want to become a pen pal of a person on death row too?

If you want, write to me which languages you are able and / or prefer to correspond. I will reply as soon as possible by sending you the name and profile of a prisoner who has expressed a desire to receive letters. If you want more clarifications, correspond with me directly and I will answer your questions as soon as I can. See you soon.

Stefania Tallei