Comments on: TKOG Who apparently seeks a prison boyfriend

By: Link love (Powered by couscous and waffle cardigans) « Musings of an Abstract Aucklander

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:39:27 +0000

[...] That Kind of Girl writes to some jailbirds (and if you want to partake, you [...]

By: Kori

Kori — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:19:39 +0000

I swear to you, I’ve always wanted to do this. Though my favorite one of Bill Geerhart’s replies is from Richard Ramirez, who has FREAKING “NIGHTSTALKER” STATIONARY. Now THAT is what you do when life gives you lemons:
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/09/killer-logo.html

By: Autumn

Autumn — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:38:19 +0000

My birthday is coming up in August. I really want to try this now. And I love the P.O. Box idea. It occurred to me when I first read this. But alas, I am not in Boston.

By: Might you be interested in helping do a small good thing? If so, AN IDEA!

Might you be interested in helping do a small good thing? If so, AN IDEA! — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:14:34 +0000

[...] I love you guys. Day after day, through this weird winding project, I never cease to be amazed by the depth of warmth and compassion my readers radiate in the comments section. I was especially touched by some of the reactions to my experience sending birthday cards to inmates. [...]

By: Nina

Nina — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:06:09 +0000

i absolutely think this is a good idea. i personally wouldn’t write to those whose crimes i find particularly awful but i can understand the curiosity of what they would say back.

i think things like this are probably incredibly useful in rehabilitation. a link to the outside world, showing that not everyone thinks you are trash and always will be….

there’s a program over here in Australia (though only in a couple of jails) that has low security inmates training up guide dog puppies. how good an idea is that! not only are they doing something good for the community, they also get a chance escape the realities of jail for a while.

By: That Kind of Girl

That Kind of Girl — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:52:28 +0000

Dude, you know what would be awesome? PO Boxes are decently cheap — $72 a year in Brookline, probably cheaper in less tony areas. What if there were like five or six people in our area who wanted a PO Box for the express purpose of being able to send letters or cards to inmates? Splitting that cost and getting the key copied a few times would be the price of a few lattes each, and that way multiple people could have the opportunity to use the box so they feel comfortable writing!

Man, I really want to like write a Craigslist ad or something proposing this. But Craigslist ads already get creepy enough responses as it is…

By: rebel mel

rebel mel — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:14:14 +0000

I’ve thought about writing inmates before. I feel like I can’t do it unless I get a PO box, though.

By: That Kind of Girl

That Kind of Girl — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:41:04 +0000

Oh Jeanne, that story makes my heart ache. I can’t imagine all the layers of conflicting emotion you must feel, looking back on that. It’s so overwhelming to think that there’s almost infinite suffering in the world.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:58:35 +0000

I’ve never written to a prisoner, not even the brother of my best-friend-from-high-school. It’s still hard for me to absorb that this kid, who was L’s pretty ordinary little brother, grew up to be a murderer, who once, on a shooting range, turned and emptied his gun into his companion’s face for no apparent reason. And now I’ll never get the chance to write him, because he was killed by another prisoner.

I hope your cards brought them enjoyment, and a break to the tedium.

By: ali

ali — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:27:43 +0000

Happy late birthday! This post was really touching, not to mention inspiring.