Ever write to a prisoner?

[Jaysin]

I've been doing a lot of reading on the West Memphis 3 case and I've been thoroughly intrigued to the point where I'm trying to get involved. So after doing more digging I discovered I can write to the WM3 themselves. I'm planning on writing a letter to Damien Echols because I read he enjoys reading about people's lives. I don't expect him to respond mainly because he gets a lot of mail, but I'm going to try and write to him on a regular basis. After everything I've read, I truly believe they are innocent.

 

Anyways, that's not my point. Has anyone ever written to someone in prison? Figured this might be an interesting topic.

[ampulator]

One Word: No.

[GruntMark]

One Word: No.

 

And yet it took three.

 

Anyway,

 

I sometimes lurk around the PrisonTalk.com forum, cause I find prisons fascinating. Probably spurred by living in Huntsville, Texas (home of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and several prisons) for several years. For completely unrelated reasons.

 

Alot of people on that site have "Pen Pals." Personally, Id find it as weird as writing a letter to any other random stranger, which is pretty a whole fricken lot.

 

But thats me.

[BHK1978]

Well I have a cousin in prison for murder and he has been there since 1988. And I would never write him because I hope he rots in there. So my answer is no.

[djthefunkchris]

One Word: No.

LOL, That's not being very open minded.

I've been doing a lot of reading on the West Memphis 3 case and I've been thoroughly intrigued to the point where I'm trying to get involved. So after doing more digging I discovered I can write to the WM3 themselves. I'm planning on writing a letter to Damien Echols because I read he enjoys reading about people's lives. I don't expect him to respond mainly because he gets a lot of mail, but I'm going to try and write to him on a regular basis. After everything I've read, I truly believe they are innocent.

 

Anyways, that's not my point. Has anyone ever written to someone in prison? Figured this might be an interesting topic.

 

I haven't, but I have had friends that have, most of them women. Most of the time, it has never come out good. That being said:

 

First off, I haven't read up on the West Memphis 3 case, but I do know for fact, people are in prison that are NOT guilty. Known at least three personally, probably more but I don't know for 100% sure on them. There's been studies on that subject, and the results of just how many people are more then likely in prison for something they didn't do, would probably shock most people that don't realise it happens.

 

However, I do know that it's not necessarily a good idea to jump in with both feet and try to have a relationship via mail or any other way, no matter how innocent your intentions are. Be cautious, and never let anyone manipulate you by using your good intentions, or your belief that one is innocent. Keep in mind that there have been plenty of guilty people that their next door neighbor's, best friends, wives, etc... would NEVER believe would have done what they did. Also, keep in mind that there are plenty of people that were able to manipulate other's into believing that they did what they had to do. Quite a few people actually believe themselves, but that's no reason for you to let them make a believer out of you.

 

So many things that go through my mind, so many things I could tell you both positive and negative about this very subject, but it would probably bore you or at best, just be a very long post. Just be carefull is all I ask.

[ampulator]

And yet it took three.

Actually, it took only one. It's after "One Word". If you count after "One Word", it's one word, and one syllable, I believe.

 

LOL, That's not being very open minded.

It's not for the reasons you might think I just don't have reason to talk to them. I also don't have any reason to talk to bus drivers that are driving. I just simply don't have enough interest to talk to them. I just don't see the attraction of talking specifically to prison inmates. I have no problem for people that do it, bit it's just odd to me, because there fascinating people to talk to that aren't in prison. Unless you have specific reasons or interests for talking to them (and I don't). I just don't. There are interesting people I can talk to, like, djthefunkthechris, or GruntMark.

[dvdWarrior]

I did, once upon a time.

 

I have a family member right around my age, who's spent the better part of his life behind bars so far, (and tbh, doesn't even seem interested in learning his lesson). Back in '98 or so, his aunt asked me if I could write to him, since we had played together as kids, so I did.

 

I don't think it helped.

 

[BurningHamster]

I wrote to a friend of mine in juvie way back but well, I knew him before he went in so was less weird than writing to a stranger but still a bit odd. Wasn't sure what to say in that situation but just wanted to keep his spirits up. He wasn't a bad guy, but just sort of lost it after his parents got murdered and did some stupid stuff. He wasn't in that long so it's not like we wrote a ton back and forth.

 

From what I've heard of the West Memphis Three, which is not a huge amount, it sounds like by all reports those guys deserve to have their case looked at again.

[Nedew]

I thought only lonely housewives wrote to strangers in prison?

[Remianen]

Many times. It's been part of my upbringing. More people I grew up with have served time than I can really count. I've written, sent commissary, but I haven't visited in many years. I have this irrational fear that I'll enter a prison to visit someone and experience a karmic backlash that will trap me there for all time.

[djthefunkchris]

Many times. It's been part of my upbringing. More people I grew up with have served time than I can really count. I've written, sent commissary, but I haven't visited in many years. I have this irrational fear that I'll enter a prison to visit someone and experience a karmic backlash that will trap me there for all time.

 

Ha... That's how I used to feel... probably still do since I still haven't done it. Especially knowing some that are completely innocent. I have a fear that I'll walk in and the bars will come down and I'll never get to leave.

[Jaysin]

I thought only lonely housewives wrote to strangers in prison?

 

 

Funny.

 

I'm only choosing to write to Damien because of the circumstances behind the case. Essentially the police department's case was "They like heavy metal which means they do Satanic rituals" when there was no evidence really pointing towards them. There was actually evidence pointing at numerous other people, including the step father of one of the murdered boys. The police ignored some evidence, destroyed other evidence, and actually coerced one of the WM3 into confessing. That was on tape. Someone else actually confessed to the murder, but since he took it back and he didn't fit the stereotype, they chose to let him go...even though the second the bodies were found, him and his friend bolted for California.

 

Maybe its because as a metal kid that grew up in poverty, I connect to the stereotyping that they received. I know I'm not being blamed for murder over it, but there was often times in school I was blamed for pranks and bullying because I have long black hair and a metal t shirt.

 

More often than not in my experience, the bullies were the preppy kids and the kids that were nice and looked after the bullied were the metal heads, punks, and goths.

 

I feel for these guys. Their story really got to me.

[Guest Inadvertant]

I wrote to my brother while he was in prison; sadly I didn't write to him enough. I did, however, appear at his trials and write a letter of character on his behalf that helped lower his sentence in light of things. He was cleared of 90 percent of the charges laid against him and was sentenced time served for the most part.

[djthefunkchris]

 

Funny.

 

I'm only choosing to write to Damien because of the circumstances behind the case. Essentially the police department's case was "They like heavy metal which means they do Satanic rituals" when there was no evidence really pointing towards them. There was actually evidence pointing at numerous other people, including the step father of one of the murdered boys. The police ignored some evidence, destroyed other evidence, and actually coerced one of the WM3 into confessing. That was on tape. Someone else actually confessed to the murder, but since he took it back and he didn't fit the stereotype, they chose to let him go...even though the second the bodies were found, him and his friend bolted for California.

 

Maybe its because as a metal kid that grew up in poverty, I connect to the stereotyping that they received. I know I'm not being blamed for murder over it, but there was often times in school I was blamed for pranks and bullying because I have long black hair and a metal t shirt.

 

More often than not in my experience, the bullies were the preppy kids and the kids that were nice and looked after the bullied were the metal heads, punks, and goths.

 

I feel for these guys. Their story really got to me.

 

That's a whole new topic of discussion right there, but as I read your post I can't help to remember how true (at times) I've seen the same thing. I don't know if it was the "Preppy" boys as much as the "Jocks" that I remember being the "true" prankster's, but everything else is kind of spot on. I played about every sport growing up (football, basketball, even track). I never believed in picking on other's just because "we can" way of thinking, and found myself at odds on several occasions with other's on my own team. However, I do remember various times some "outsider" type looking individual standing up for them as well, what you might think of as "metal" or whatever. Alot of times the same people we used to call Burn-outs (the one's that smoked during lunch and recess), would stick up and alot of times get in trouble just because they were "known" to be trouble makers, and not because of the situation at hand.

 

However, to be perfectly honest about everything, they were known to be trouble makers because alot of times they were... alot of times going against the school rules because they felt they had more rights then everyone else, etc. "I can do what I want!" "I don't have to read this book!" "I'm not dressing up for Gym!"... I can go on and on. So although I DO know exactly what you mean, I've found that there are reasons for people being on that list, not just because they are wearing a "Metal" T-Shirt. If you think the teacher's do not talk to each other about their problems with students, and don't know exactly what you did in another class, your fooling yourself, not them.

[Jaysin]

However, to be perfectly honest about everything, they were known to be trouble makers because alot of times they were... alot of times going against the school rules because they felt they had more rights then everyone else, etc. "I can do what I want!" "I don't have to read this book!" "I'm not dressing up for Gym!"... I can go on and on. So although I DO know exactly what you mean, I've found that there are reasons for people being on that list, not just because they are wearing a "Metal" T-Shirt. If you think the teacher's do not talk to each other about their problems with students, and don't know exactly what you did in another class, your fooling yourself, not them.

 

I was a straight A student, never acted out in class, never disrespected teachers, scored insanely high on every proficiency test, got 95% and up on every test I took, etc etc

 

The only thing I did wrong was move from a ghetto to an upper middle class neighborhood and go from a lower middle class school to an upper middle class school. I went from being the only white family in a black neighborhood and being accepted to being one of the small members of the poor community in a rich neighborhood and being an outcast. It was almost like some cheesy 80s movie, the haves vs the have nots and the teacher's more often than not took the haves side.

 

That's why I've built up a resentment towards discrimination. I try to treat everyone fairly regardless of their past, appearance, race, wealth(or lack of), and what have you.

 

After I left that school I moved to a rural community where I was literally the only person who listened to heavy music...well the only person that was open about it. One person chose to talk to me that day, literally one person. No teachers, no principals, no staff, just one student. Why did she choose to talk to me? Because I let my so called "freak flag" fly. By the end of my junior year, people were no longer afraid to admit to liking certain music types or be themselves. I feel like I made a difference, even if after that group of kids leaves high school it'll be back the way it was. I hung out with every clique, every group of kids, the druggies, jocks, the preps, the nerds, everyone.

 

I know I'm way sidetracked from the original topic, but I just wanted to show that I really don't fit the stereotype of troublemaker outcast.

[moon_lit_tears]

I have.

 

4 different ones.

 

1 I knew..3 were what you could call *pen pals*

 

Remember not everyone in prison is guilty, and people can change.

 

But that's my opinion.

[djthefunkchris]

I was a straight A student, never acted out in class, never disrespected teachers, scored insanely high on every proficiency test, got 95% and up on every test I took, etc etc

 

The only thing I did wrong was move from a ghetto to an upper middle class neighborhood and go from a lower middle class school to an upper middle class school. I went from being the only white family in a black neighborhood and being accepted to being one of the small members of the poor community in a rich neighborhood and being an outcast. It was almost like some cheesy 80s movie, the haves vs the have nots and the teacher's more often than not took the haves side.

 

That's why I've built up a resentment towards discrimination. I try to treat everyone fairly regardless of their past, appearance, race, wealth(or lack of), and what have you.

 

After I left that school I moved to a rural community where I was literally the only person who listened to heavy music...well the only person that was open about it. One person chose to talk to me that day, literally one person. No teachers, no principals, no staff, just one student. Why did she choose to talk to me? Because I let my so called "freak flag" fly. By the end of my junior year, people were no longer afraid to admit to liking certain music types or be themselves. I feel like I made a difference, even if after that group of kids leaves high school it'll be back the way it was. I hung out with every clique, every group of kids, the druggies, jocks, the preps, the nerds, everyone.

 

I know I'm way sidetracked from the original topic, but I just wanted to show that I really don't fit the stereotype of troublemaker outcast.

 

And underneath it all, sounds like the typical "class" problems, not necessarily your tastes in music. Also sounds like you made a good impact (well, maybe not to them), but at the same time, to THEM, that could be looked as a "troublemaker" impact as well. Going against the grain is a better way to put it. However, I agree with how you handled everything, as far as you have said at least.

 

I went all the way through school as you did at your starting point. I went to a vocational school, that I would classify similar to what you went through though, and all the sudden I wasn't the only white kid in class. What I pride myself on is that I have stayed relatively the same throughout everything up to now. I still love old school 60's to 80's RnB over most everything else. I have never "hated" any music, unless it was pushed down my throat. I know enough about all music to make just about any genre happy, but my specialty will always be the old school jams that I grew up on. I like alot of new stuff, could care less for other's.... Soldier Boy for example, I just don't get the appeal of, but like Lil' Wayne.

 

Anyways, I understand your logic, now that you've given a background.

[moon_lit_tears]

And underneath it all, sounds like the typical "class" problems, not necessarily your tastes in music. Also sounds like you made a good impact (well, maybe not to them), but at the same time, to THEM, that could be looked as a "troublemaker" impact as well. Going against the grain is a better way to put it. However, I agree with how you handled everything, as far as you have said at least.

 

I went all the way through school as you did at your starting point. I went to a vocational school, that I would classify similar to what you went through though, and all the sudden I wasn't the only white kid in class. What I pride myself on is that I have stayed relatively the same throughout everything up to now. I still love old school 60's to 80's RnB over most everything else. I have never "hated" any music, unless it was pushed down my throat. I know enough about all music to make just about any genre happy, but my specialty will always be the old school jams that I grew up on. I like alot of new stuff, could care less for other's.... Soldier Boy for example, I just don't get the appeal of, but like Lil' Wayne.

 

Anyways, I understand your logic, now that you've given a background.

 

LOL wow, I was wrong..

 

/scampers off.

[GruntMark]

Remember not everyone in prison is guilty,

 

All the ones whose middle name is "Wayne" are.

[Teh_Showtime]

No, but I talked to my uncle on the phone before when he was in pirson.

 

I vaguly remember helping my mom and grandma weigh and wrap snacks to send to him. (oreos specifically)

[moon_lit_tears]

All the ones whose middle name is "Wayne" are.

 

John Wayne Gacy was a good man!!

[Eigan]

All the ones whose middle name is "Wayne" are.

 

Davis Wayne Newton is a prisoner to his own skills.

[Candyman]

From what I've heard of the West Memphis Three, which is not a huge amount, it sounds like by all reports those guys deserve to have their case looked at again.

 

They do, and they will. There are going to be hearings in October of this year to determine if new trials should be ordered. Who knows what will happen, if they were convicted once it can happen again, but hopefully justice will prevail this time. It's quite clear that there is no evidence against them. Unfortunately, the case was botched so badly from the beginning that they likely won't be able to convict the real killers...

 

I'm only choosing to write to Damien because of the circumstances behind the case. Essentially the police department's case was "They like heavy metal which means they do Satanic rituals" when there was no evidence really pointing towards them. There was actually evidence pointing at numerous other people, including the step father of one of the murdered boys. The police ignored some evidence, destroyed other evidence, and actually coerced one of the WM3 into confessing. That was on tape. Someone else actually confessed to the murder, but since he took it back and he didn't fit the stereotype, they chose to let him go...even though the second the bodies were found, him and his friend bolted for California.

 

Well, the guy that confessed said he "might have" have done it. He and his friend had such a history with drugs and alcohol that they probably didn't know if they did it or not, and that's why they left for California. It's pretty clear that the stepfather and his friend did it. The stepfather was the last person to be seen with the boys alive, there was DNA at the crime sceme matching both, and they were each others' abili that day. With the possibility that there was a third unknown African American man involved, but they have no way of finding out who he is let alone convicting him due to botched evidence collection and handling.

 

The case against the WM3 is a joke. They suspected one because he had knowledge of the crime scene that they thought wasn't released to the public, even though it turned out it had. They interrogated another for 12 hours despite the fact that he was a minor and they didn't have his father's permission. They used testimony from a woman who later admitted it was completely fabricated in an attempt to avoid criminal charges (she was stealing money from her employer) and collect reward money. Their convictions should be thrown out based on jury misconduct alone - the foreman of one jury told an attorney before deliberations he was advocated a guilty verdict based on inadmissable evidence, and the judge told the foreman of the other jury that they'd have to return for sentencing before he knew of their verdict. This is the same judge that refused to have the convictions overturned despite new DNA evidence that clearly warranted a new trial.

 

....

 

Ok, that's a lot more than I planned on saying. To answer the question in the OP, no, I've never written to a prisoner.