We connect incarcerated people with volunteer pen pals from all over the world for a meaningful experience.
Why would someone want to join a prison pen pal program? Because they could make a difference in many lives. The power of a prison correspondence is often underrated, yet studies show that an incarcerated person with connections to the outside world such as pen pals will be 6 times less likely to reoffend within the first year of their release.
Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that at least 95% of American State inmates will eventually be released from prison. Writing to prisoners can make a significant impact in their daily life, legal battle, sense of determination, feeling of hope, and rehabilitation process.
Engaging in a prison correspondence also means fighting against recidivism. You will create a support and solidarity system against a prison-industrial complex built to isolate and dehumanize people. You will take a stand for prison reform.
Ultimately, writing to prisoners can lead to unsuspected positive changes on both sides: in the inmate’s and their pen pal’s lives, but it also plays a part in a larger social change in the US. Read more here.
“The first time I received a letter from my penpal, I couldn’t stop smiling. That’s the power of kindness, no matter how small. I wish more people would sign up to put forth kindness and hope in the lives of men like me.”
Thomas, incarcerated in the US since 2005, joined Wire of Hope’s Prison Pen Pal Program in 2019.
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If you are visiting Wire of Hope’s website to find a prison penpal: thank you! By writing to prisoners, you are going to change many lives! Check out our free inmate penpal listings.
And if you are visiting Wire of Hope to sign up an inmate for our penpal program: welcome! Find out more about our prison pen pal program and check our price list.
Find out what members & visitors have to say about Wire of Hope’s Prison Pen Pal Program!
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Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Dear Elodie, thank you, thank you, thank you! This is the first penpal service I've gone through with so I'm really excited and hopeful to meet someone. I hope my introduction letter is okay, I just really would like someone worthwhile to meet so I did y best. I appreciate how kind and responsive you've been to my letters/questions and am looking forward to being a part of the experience! I know it's not a guaranteed thing, but I can't help but get my hopes up 🙂 Again, thank you so much. Sincerely, Evan."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Thanks Elodie I hope everything is going good with u and wire of hope, I will continue to send more people to join. The site has helped me out a lot, I have found that special someone I'm not going to lie and she dont care if I stay on there if I am just honest. When I say your site has helped out a lot, I sincerely mean every word. I been incarcerated since 2011, out of all the site I been on wire of hope has been my top #1 best site out of all the ones I been on and know of. U are welcome to use this, my name and pictures anytime u want for any reason. I sincerely respect what y'all do, just continue to do what u do and dont stop for no reason. Also if u want to continue to be friends Elodie I am ok with that u can email anytime. Have a bless, day, night and week"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Wire of Hope, WOW! You guys are amazing! Professional and very helpful and I've already got plenty of hits! Thank you very much again, I'm very pleased and have recommended you guys time & time again! One happy customer, Michael."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"I just want to thank you, Wire of Hope, and all of your staff, for helping people like me who are incarcerated. By far, you are the best service to find actual connections and friendships. Thank y'all! Since I have been on the site, I have met some amazing people and in turn have told many people about your service here in my unit. I just want to thank you all so much for your great deeds and service to men & women like me who just need someone to talk to. Keep up the good work and if there is anything I can do to help more, let me know 😉 God Bless You All!"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"I'm SUPER satisfied with your services. I got some very good people in my life thanks to you!"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"I found a pen pal and he's amazing so far. Getting ready to send him a birthday card 🙂 This is a wonderful thing you do for the inmates."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Elodie, I am just writing back to say I received your typed letter, and also to say thank you very much for being so considerate -and thorough- in how you (and Sigrid and co.) approach your program. It takes truly special people with a nice bit of compassion (and sweetness :-)) to do what you all do. So, thanks. Sincerely, Matthew"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"I have a lot of respect for all of you involved in your company and what you do to help inmates and make us feel human and not forgotten. I look forward to cutting ya'll a check in 6 months 🙂 Thanks!"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Hello, I'm Andrea. Yesterday I was scrolling on Instagram and found some girl that had a pen pal in prison. I was greatly surprised because I didn't know that it was possible. After that, I kept scrolling but somehow, I couldn't get the idea out of my head, so I went looking for a website and I found yours. I created an account in Jmail and I'm looking for my future pen pal. I just wanted to tell you that you're amazing people for helping the people who need a friendly word."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Dear Ms. Elodie, I appreciate your patience with my order. I hope to add to it the coming months. Your efforts have been, without question, a blessing. I hope to accomplish my goal to find some true friends. Take care and be safe out there. Happy Valentine's Day. For everything you have done... For everything you have given... Thank You. Michael"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Elodie! Just received the invoice you sent, and I'm on it, I'm writing this now so I can (attempt) getting this taken care of tomorrow. Scratch that, Monday. How I wish they allowed debit cards in here. I did want to take the time to thank you, I can't believe the dedication you've displayed with helping me get this done. A potential customer, you've gone back and forth with me several times and took the time to really show involvement with your client base, and while I know I'm personally not special, knowing that Elodie at Wire of Hope treats people with such plain decency, when I know you've gotta be busy as seven hells... It's impressive, noticed, and appreciated. Kudos, and thanks. Warm Regards, JJ."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Dear Wire of Hope, hello and I hope that this finds you well despite all of the craziness afoot in the world. I wanted to write and say thank you. Your customer service is superior to any of the other prison pen-pal / service companies that I have had occasion to use over the years. Several times you went well above and beyond for the sake of my satisfaction as a customer and I could not be more grateful. I will be recommending Wire of Hope to as many inmates as I can during the course of my incarceration -and I will do so enthusiastically- because I now you will treat them with the same respect and integrity that I received. It is quite obvious that you take pride in your work and that you truly do care. That is a rarity in today's world, so just know that your efforts are much appreciated. Warmest Regards & Deepest Respect. Dan"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Thanks for (all) the help WoH have been to inmates."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Recently a lot of my peers been wondering and asking how I constantly get called at mail call. So I explained Wire of Hope to them. Two of my peers seemed interested so I gave them applications, so I hope they do set up a profile, and I extend my stay with the WoH family ;-P Everything has been going awesome with WoH. I can honestly say you guys are the best site as I have a myriad amount of accounts. I found a lot of fellow poets also willing to be friends and helping me improve my skills. I even found two published book writers through WoH. I'm learning so much from all my pen pals and they do help me keep grounded. So I am happy I made a profile with you all."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Wire of Hope, thank you so much for your service! My prayers go out to you and your families during these hard times. Keep up the good work, we all appreciate it. No response needed, just saying thank you! Stay healthy!"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Dear Wire of Hope, First I would like to say how much I appreciate your outstanding customer service and the speed at which you respond -even during a pandemic. I recently paid to update my profile and I was impressed at how fast and friendly the service was when my friend contacted you to update my profile. I also have profiles with X and X and they both took forever -more than 10 days- just to respond to an email about an update to my profile and they were not friendly! My friend said you wear very nice to her and I greatly appreciate that -very much! Second, since updating my profile, I have received many, many new pen pals and friends. They all tell me how great and easy to use your website is compared to other pen pal sites!"
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Greetings, I just want to thank you for the service that you rendered to me. I am eternally grateful, I am sure you know by now I have a dear friend from Tasmania, we have been in cohorts since Sunday morning the 24th. Told someone to give you a "thank you" hug. I am enclosing 16 stamps, sure you can find a use for them. Also an envelope for the return of photos. Thank you once again. Be blessed in all of your endeavors! Joyfully, William."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"I just wanted to express that I really love what you guys are doing here. So many of these inmates sentenced to life or even death are forgotten. They are human just like us and have needs just like us. People make mistakes. Sometimes really really big ones. I love the compassion you guys show. I am really moved by the idea behind this and it takes real dedication."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Thank you for your time and amazing service. I appreciate the experience of actually being cared about by a pen-paling service, you showed concern for more than just my money. I wish you much future success. Thanks for all your time and help."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"Hello Élodie, Thanks to your response and your directions; I was able to get in touch with X. I did everything you said to do in your response and I woke up to this morning a response from X. I am so truly thankful for the assistance you have provided me! You have no idea how much this means to my significant other and I. We have had tears of such joy and happiness today; it's absolutely amazing what you have done. I could never thank you enough for assisting me and being so quickly to respond. Again, thank you so much! Sincerely, Diana."
Get to know what our prison penpals and their families have to say about Wire of Hope's Prison Pen Pal Program!
"I received the WoH info and brochure you sent me. I know it's past Thanksgiving Day, but I still just wanted to say thank you!!! Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for people like me, who are so often forgotten!! I have been debating on what pen pal site I want to use... and after reading your letter and brochure you sent me, I definitely will be choosing Wire of Hope!! :-)"