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CONSIDERING WRITING A DEATH ROW PRISONER ?
READ THESE COMMENTS BY PRISONERS AND THEIR PENPALS
Prisoners' Pen Pals Speak On Writing To Prisoners
Please email the CCADP to share your story with us at: info@ccadp.org
Almost a year ago now, I visited your site and I found the adress of an inmate on death row in Alabama State Prison. When I read what he said to get a penpal, my heart went out to him. What he said really thouched me and I wrote him some words. After about 2 weeks I got a 10-page letter back. At that point I knew he was someone special! Maybe it sounds like something everybody say, but every word was filled with his feelings and I didn`t wait a minute to answer. Now we`ve been writing for a while, and we`ve become good friends. I feel like I`ve known him forever and I can`t stand the thought that he is in the place he is!! I just don`t understand how people can put their equals in such a place!! How can they know that they should be there?? If I could do anything for the man i consider one of my best friends, I would do anything!! And hopefully one day in the near future I will visit him.. He and everybody else should know that I honestly HATE the death penalty.. I just don`t understand it. And for anyone that are thinking of getting in contact with an inmate; Do it!! They can teach you so much about life and be a friend whenever you need one and you get to be there for someone who needs it. What is better than that?? -Monica, Norway-
I took a look at your site last year and commenced a penpal friendship with an inmate in San Quentin. He has been incarcerated for some 19 years now and whilst currently subject to a stay, his future on Death Row remains uncertain. Like others who have written into your pages, I shared certain pre-conceptions fed to me by the media and public perceptions of convicted criminals and expected to encounter some kind of human oddity . In fact, I have discovered a warm, I ntelligent, articulate, artistic and entertaining person in my inmate penpal. We exchange lengthy letters weekly and if a week goes by without the other receiving a letter, we each feel quite bereft!!
The whole expereince has been most enjoyable for me and I think for him too, judging by the sentiments expressed in his letter as to my crucial decision to pick up a pen and begin writing (or typing rather) to him last year.
I do not seek to condone his wrongdoing or indeed that of any ofher inmate if those incidents actually occurred, merely remind myself and all those who are prepared to listen, that we are all equal before the eyes of God or any other entity which one believes is responsible for our existence on this Earth.
Invariably, one finds that such individuals have encountered pain and cruelty of an extreme nature in their past which in some degree, explains their subsequent actions. I would reiterate that to acknowledge that, is not tantamount to condoning the wrongful act.
I am also firmly of the opinion that every experience one encounters in one’s life, in some way can enrich one’s life so long as one derives from that encounter, the positive and not the negative.
One word of advice I would give is that if you are going to spend funds on purchasing goods for inmates or ordering goods for them or posting funds to their trust account, you ensure that you are realistic as to the inmate’s expectations and despite their assuring you that they are not mercenary,acknowledge in your mind that they may have become so, as a consequence of being deprived for so long. Keep your contributions to what you feel is acceptable and don’t feel railroaded through guilt into spending more than that ; otherwise it could become a burden rather than a pleasure to continue the friendship. After all, both parties in such a friendship, should learn to compromise in order to remain comfortable with each other.
When I was in high school, I started corresponding with pen pals all over the world. Those pen pals would pass my address on to the people they wrote to and I'd find
new correspondents that way. A few of them were inmates. I thought of them no differently than I thought of anyone else I wrote to - it was just another person to
give me a new glimpse into a different part of the world.
Over the years, some of those inmates pals became good friends. I became interested in the causes that they were fighting and saddened that the talent and
creativity that I saw in their letters was not being seen by anyone else. I founded Create Me Free, a non-profit organization working with artists and writers in prison,
essentially using expression to cause changes within both the idnividual and the system, a place where their voices could be heard and where people could see
that these guys are more than just the crime attached to their names.
As a result of this program, I currently correspond with over 300 inmates on a regular basis. I've had my bad experiences - the ones who just want money or a girlfriend - but those are few and far between. For the most part, these guys are interesting, funny, creative, intelligent and articulate. We trade poliical ideas, stories, jokes and whatever else happens to come to mind as one of us puts the pen to the page. The kindness and compassion and quality of friendship coming through my mailbox is grander than most that I've seen in "normal" friendships.
For example, there was a period where I got very behind on mail and I sent out a "form letter" explaining to everyone that there was a lot of stuff going on in my life
and that I'd write as soon as possible. One of the things I mentioned, in a long list of what was keeping me busy, was that my dad was in the hospital. A week later,
I had a hundred cards wishing my father a get well.
I have guys that I know can barely get a snack from commisary sending me stamps in donation because they don't want to take something and not give back.
Despite prevailing ideas, most of these guys have morals and threads of tendernessrunning through their toughened skin. What I've gotten back from them has been far
more than I feel I've given out. Kindness breeds kindess... -Kathryn, USA
...I heard her talk and what she said, among many inspirational comments as she was speaking in opposition to the death penalty was "God taps you on
the shoulder and says, 'you have to do this'". I heard her voice clearly when I was asked if I wanted to write a young man on death row in Virginia. My
first thought was "what can I say to to him? What can we have in common to talk about?" Well, Bobby and I have been the best of friends for 3-1/2
years now. I visit him every other Sunday and he calls once a week.
After that it seems as if the penpals just arrived, one after an other.I've been writing to penfriends in Virginia, Texas, Florida, Idaho, Nevada,Tennessee, North Carolina and in Arizona. Some of these men are on death
row and others are serving long prison terms.What have I done for them? Oh no, it's what they have given to me.
They are all individuals, all with their own wonderful personalities, interests, senses of humor, and compassion. Their willingness to help, to listen, to
advise has led me through some of my life's turmoil. I have been privileged to visit some of them. We've laughed, cried, acted serious, acted silly.
They are my friends and I dearly love all of them. I marvel at their courage, their ability to transcend the world they live in. Their pictures, poems,
writings have heartened me, sometimes saddened me.Sr. Helen was right...God did tap me on the shoulder and I thank Him for the opportunity I've had to know and love 14 unique and wonderful people.Through my son I have meet many inmates. Only through his insight of these people would I ever have had the opportunity to meet them.
-Suzanne Miller USA
I write 4 of them mainly because they have no one and receive no support or letters from anyone, ever.
One was a dumpster baby. In and out of foster homes until the age of 12 when he ran away to the streets.
One was being raised by his aunt and uncle after the death of his parents.
They dropped him off on a street corner in Phoenix at the age of 13 because they didn't want to deal with a teenager. They were well known prominent
people in the area and did not want him to interfere with their lives anymore.
I chose one a year and send a magazine subscription or a money order at Christmas and/or their birthday. I let them pick the magazine and do not judge their
choice.
I send short letters in cards they can decorate their cell with (especially those in lockdown 23 hours a day) I learn there likes so its easy to chose the cards I send and yes, sometimes I get there likes mixed up, then learn there other interests from that. What I get back is the knowledge I am helping someone through a rough life.
I get there fears, what they miss most, what they would chose to do different in their lives. Mostly I get respect.
They break my heart.
They make me work harder for justice (to change the laws for justice).
They make me pay attention to who I vote for and why.
I send information on new laws that could effect them, other wise they may never even know to ask about certain services or changes in the system available
to them.
One inmate wrote to thank me for sending information on a new law that he took to his councilor. The councilor said "Wow, I had no idea! I will look
into that for you," and he did.
They helped me stop smoking. Instead of having a cigarette, I wrote a letter until the craving stopped. I wrote a lot then.
One year I got a letter from an inmate I did not know. He asked me to purchase a birthday present for his 5 year old daughter. He saw her on visits but
had never been able to buy her a gift just from him. I shopped, bought, took photos of the wrapped gifts to send to him so he could see the gifts. Wrapped
them, took more photos of the wrapped gifts so he could talk to his daughter all about them when he called her on her birthday, and mailed them out. My
son told me how happy that made him. I cannot express in words how that made me feel. He sent a lovely thank you card. I have not heard from him in 2
years. He should be out this year. His daughter will be 7. (note - she is not referring to a death row prisoner here).
I check the web site we have in our state and watch the amount of write ups drop, sometimes drastically. They know I look! I watch their hand writing
improve. I read about the TV programs they watch go from sitcoms to channels like the discovery and learning channels. Some start drawing beautiful pictures
on the envelopes the send.
I take a camera with me when I go anywhere. I send photos with descriptions of the good time I had, what it was like, what sucked about it and what was
great about it. I do this because some inside live vicariously through me as they will never get out.
This keeps me active and going lots of different places. It keeps my interest and experiences going all the time. It makes me see things through many different
eyes besides my own. This keeps me open minded and willing to do things that other wise I would never do.
I have received 3 promotions at work since I began writing inmates. I can talk to anyone now and clearly stand up for what is right. I now fight for
justice in my own life and well as others, inmates as well as those "free." I think things through then I voice my opinions without holding back.
Is it worth the or fifteen minuets every week or two? Worth the stamps?
Yea.
In Memoriam - Dave Herman, 7.11.57 - 2.4.97
'You are the older brother I always wished I had. Sincerely your friend, and
with all my love, [signed] Dave'.
These were the last words written to me by David Herman in a letter posted by him shortly before he was killed by the state of Texas soon after 7 pm on 2 April 1997.
The Dave Herman who became my beloved friend was a self- confessed murderer who spent almost six years on death row before being put to death. Finding
my name and address listed by Amnesty as chairperson of the Leeds group, in March, 1992 he wrote to me requesting ' ... correspondence with anyone
interested in writing to a death row inmate in the U.S.' We corresponded for five years, and my partner and I visited him twice, in 1994 and 1996, spending a few hours on each occasion talking to him through the glass screens at Ellis 1 Unit.
Dave's last letter began: 'I love you my friend. As I write this, it is difficult to fully comprehend your reading it after my death; but it is not too unsettling, as I've achieved a sort of peace with my mortality.' On the penultimate day of his life he slashed his throat and wrists with a smuggled-in plastic razor blade, but was seen by a guard and rushed to hospital where his wounds were stitched and his life saved. Bandaged, and closely watched, he was transported back to the Ellis Unit's holding cell
overnight, only to be returned to Huntsville on the day scheduled for his execution where his 6' 4" frame was strapped securely on the macabre crucifix-shaped gurney and where, in front of witnesses, lethal poisons were injected into his veins. He was thirty-nine years old. During the years of his incarceration, no contact visits were permitted. An hour after he ceased to breathe his elderly mother was allowed to embrace his still-warm body
.'I had never been in trouble with the law, before I was charged with this crime ...' Dave wrote in his first letter dated 28 March 1992. Indubitably he was one of the most civilised human beings I have encountered in the seven decades of my life. He would often read Shakespeare before going to sleep, and his favourite play was A Midsummer Night's Dream.
This impressive, albeit flawed human being, with whom I embarked on a relationship that would lead to significant changes in my life, had committed a terrible crime, robbing premises, attempting rape, wounding one person and taking the life of a young woman. Whilst it was - according to him - his very first brush with the law, it was a vile offence, which merited severe punishment. Dave never sought to excuse his crime. Neither do I in any way condone his actions. Yet I strongly believe that an individual
is more than his or her worst deed, and - in part - an acceptance of this dictum explains why it is possible to feel anguish when a murderer is -irrevocably - cold-bloodedly, premeditatedly put to death, after a lengthy period of imprisonment in degrading, dehumanising environs.
As a long-time Amnesty International activist, and a member of LifeLines for the past ten years I have sought to put human faces to the stark statistics of state-sanctioned executions both worldwide and specifically in the USA - the only industrialised western nation that still kills some of its own citizens. I hold to Amnesty's stated view that capital punishment is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, and as such should have no place in any society calling itself civilised.
Brian Crowther, USA Death Penalty coordinator, AIUK and LifeLines activist
I want to tell you
about my experiences, writing a man on Death Row. I found your
page by mistake when I was at school, being a bit bored, just surfing
the Internet. It became the best mistake of my life.
First I got curious and just looked around, and then I started
to read these men and women’s letters and their stories became
so real to me. I didn’t know that much about Death Rows in America
before. I don’t know why I picked this person, I guess I felt there
was something special about him.
I wrote him a letter, telling him a little about myself. I
didn’t think that he would reply, maybe he wouldn’t get my letter.
About four weeks later I received a letter from him. When I read the
letter I saw that he is just like any other person. He is not some
horrible monster as many may think. He is a wonderful, humorous and
funny person. He really makes me laugh when I read his letters.
He writes me a little bit about the situation at his Unit but
most of the time we "talk" about anything and everything. It
is a nice feeling to know that I´m helping this
man just by writing him letters, letting him know that I’m here
for him, thinking of him. He is becoming a real good friend to me.
I know that I’m important to him to, someone he can talk to when
he’s sad, someone who listens to his feelings and fears about all
this. In spite of his own terrible situation, he really seems
concerned about my little "worries and problems". But you know,
most of the time we share laughs and memories with eachother. I
think that proves what a great friend he really is. .
Many of my friends warned me about this, "because he would
just try to get money from me". I offered to help him
with stamps and things like that, but that was my idea not his, so
my friends were wrong. He is just glad that I will write letters with
him.
I am so glad that he kept his senses throughout all this because
the way the American system treats their inmates are totally sick.
Since we started to write eachother I’ve read everything I could
find about the death penalty and the inmates situation. I want to
get involved in any way I can and help you fight the death penalty.
I highly recommend others to get an inmate penpal because you
might find a really good friend. I did!
Thank you so much for your fight! Ulrika Sandberg Sweden
Through your website I have found two true friends; one man in AZ and a second in VA. The letter writing began as an interest in brightening the lives of
people I believed needed friendship (which they do, like all of us). What surprised me is how I've grown to care for these men almost as family, and
that I need their friendship as much as they need mine at this point. They have taught me a great deal about life, and also about myself. Neither
have asked me for anything, which seems to surprise people I share this with. Most people I think have an unfair opinion about prisoners on death
row, believing that they are conmen who don't have a caring cell in their body. The experience has definitely been positive, and beneficial to me in
more ways than one. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to VA to meet Bobby, and have visited him three time so far. While people don't
understand why I do this, his smile upon my arrival is all the reason I need. I am also planning on meeting Robert, as soon as I can get out to AZ.
To anyone who even considers writing to an inmate on the row, I suggest just picking up a pen and writing, rather than contemplating it to such an
extent. It's well worth the few cents you'll spend on a stamp and your time; what does this life have to offer us really if not friendship?
Sincerely,
Michelle White, N.Y, USA
I even was not searching for a penpal. When I found Gary's penpal request on your website by chance I already liked Gary alot because I felt that he is
sincere and need a friend. I thought about writing to someone on death row carefully and since I could not decide if it's right or wrong to do so, I
just followed my heart and offered him my friendship. I thought that our friendship will be limited to only four months because Gary already had an
execution date, when I wrote my first letter to him. You know ... the rest is history. I met the most decent, heartfelt, lovable, strong and wonderful
man ever. We fell in love so deeply even though we both were not searching for romance. We simply could not resist when we found out that we are
soulmates and very much alike. Gary got a stay, we got married and even though we never could share the same bed we had the most happy relationship
and friendship we both ever experienced in life. I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance without Gary in my life. The pain of
the loss of this wonderful man is unbearable, but I do not regrett that we met, because Gary's friendship and love enriched my life and I healed his so
often broken heart and loved him back to life (Gary's own words). Remember what Gary wrote to you from the death house: "I am deeply grateful you guys
hooked us up and it has been true life in this system of death - to share with my sweet Claudia has been the very best years of my life." Gary and I,
we spent a wonderful time together, no one ever can take this away from us. Just as Gary said in a final interview: They can kill the body, but never
the spirit. Gary's spirit lives on forever and I'm looking forward to meet him again in the other world. Until then I will try to live in a way just as
Gary wanted me to go on in life - I take one day at a time and try to be as "happy" as possible. I will keep Gary's memory alive and I try to forgive
Texas and Gary's family for everything they have done to him. This maybe will be the most difficult thing I ever have done in my life, but I will try
because I think that Gary already understand the reason of his life and why things happened to him in this way and I believe, that Gary already
understand so much more about his incarnation on earth and I'm sure that Gary already have forgiven all the people who did him wrong and caused him
to suffer all his life. I need to forgive in the name of Gary and I need to forgive to find peace in my heart. Maybe one day they are able to forgive
themselves for what they have done to Gary. Unless they forgive themselves they will not find peace in their hearts - not Gary's killer and not Gary's
family. I always will miss Gary and the nightmare of his execution never will end, but I need to live as peaceful as possible because Gary only will
be at peace when I am at peace. In spirit we still are together because we are soulmates and nothing and nobody can separate soulmates. We were meant
to be together and we always will be thankful that we were able to find each other through your website.
IN MEMORIAM OF GARY
Visit Gary's updated website:
www.GaryEtheridge.com
Claudia Etheridge - Germany
Hiya-
I heard you were looking
for stories etc about being a penpal and what it means so thought
I'd drop you a line.
I've found friends on the
row through a UK based penpal organisation and one through the CCADP
website. The main difference is that with a penpal organisation you
often have support from a state co-ordinator who can advise you on
rules and regulations and can support you if you're going through
a rough time or have to face an execution. On the other hand, the man
I found through the CCADP website has become my closest friend. He's the
brother I never had, always there for me, and my life is so much richer
as a result of our friendship. Both approaches can work
well- but it's worth making sure you have support through someone who
you can lean on, preferably someone who knows the do's and don'ts. -
"Sal"
Corresponding woth a death row inmate - why i do it,
i suppose i first
started writing because i was appalled at the many years these
persons live (in terrible conditions) until the final decision
is taken;
i also do it because
i believe if one of my loved ones was on death row ... my pain
would be tremendous!
last but not least,
i was blessed with a great deal of love and this, i feel, i should
share and spread around me.
what i get out of
it,
a great deal of
admiration for their courage
little by little,
in contact with death row prisoners and their courage, has made my
own "problems" see awuflly small and ridiculous
the great joy of regularly finding an envelope from the USA in
my mail box!
what my penpal
relationships means,
some of them have
become real friends whom i trust and tell a lot about my private
life. one of them, in particular, has actually become part
of our family: my children know and ask about him and i am in touch
with his mother. what if it were my son,
locked up in there? i try to share her hopes and pains
and also any
negatives
only one negative experience in ...hmm? 5 (five) years, where
i had to inform this person i could not follow up on his numerous
and doubtful requests.Simone Abegg-Dubois
Geneva, Switzerland
You wanted comments regarding writing to prisoners, specifically for the first time. What we normally suggest - is drop them a line saying where you saw their advert, just introducing yourself. If you're married - say so from the first, just in case they have more of a wife in mind than a friend. Never mention your financial situation - that shouldn't be necessary. If an inmate is asking about your financial situation from the first - the chances are that he's looking for "funding". I don't think there's any of us that mind helping out in genuine circumstances - but none of us also like being "taken". Don't enclose photos, until you know each other better, and especially your kids. Your new friend may be safe, but you don't know who else is there who's in his close proximity. One man's child is another man's porn, is true for in there, and out here. Don't send in telephone numbers immediately. Check the doc websites or check out exactly what is, and isn't, acceptable for you to send in. You may think it's a great idea to send in a crossword book or something - and then they not only are not allowed to receive it, but have to pay the return postage charges.
Treat them with respect, and DON'T ask about their case. That's up to them to tell you about it when they're ready - even if we know that most cases can be looked up on the Net. Don't make promises you can't, or don't intend, to keep.
Bear in mind that you may become very close - and because there's emotional dependency involved here - your prisoner may "fall in love" with you, and vice versa. If you think this is happening - then be honest, but don't go making any commitments - because this stage often passes. This is why so many inmate marriages are made in haste - and repented just as quickly. If you're going to make a commitment to an inmate of this magnitude - it should be done after a couple of years at least - not a couple of months, as frequently happens. Don't be embarrassed to talk about this to someone if this happens - you're not alone.
Don't think that your life is boring and you have nothing to tell them of interest - you have a life, and that's one thing they don't. Tell them your thoughts and interests - ask them about theirs. Send them picture postcards of where you've been, where you live - bring them into your world. If you go for a walk along the beach - then describe it, how it felt, what the sea looked like - be as descriptiove as possible, so they can see an image in their head, and it can "take them out of there", just for those few minutes.
Keep them in the world. Too many of them "shut off" because they think the outside world has no relevance to them any longer. It may well do someday. So, in the meantime, if there is something happening in the world - send them the newspaper articles, ask them for their thoughts - help stop their minds from stagnating. Encourage them at every opportunity. Be prepared that there will be days when you think they're being totally unreasonable - and bear in mind that they are living by a completely different set of rules to how we live out here, and may probably be thinking the exact same thing about you:)
DON'T BOW DOWN on the bad days - this is important. Stand firm, and try to encourage them to learn the art of compromise. They have precious little control over their own lives - so they may just try to exert some control over your friendship, and situation - try to understand that, and don't demean them when that happens, if their requests seem bizarre or unreasonable. You are learning to live in each other's world's.
As for experiences - it's the most worthwhile thing I have ever done in life, apart from having my kids. I didn't look to write to prisoners - it came looking for me, and I'm so glad it did. How? Waiting in a post office queue, getting chatting with the lady in front of me - a whole stack of envelopes going to the US. As a fair part of my family are out there - we got talking about the US, and then she told me about these envelopes, and who they were for. I have to admit it surprised me - she was so darn nice, and normal - I think maybe I'd been buying (unthinkingly) into the Pro-DP propoganda machine:( Then, a couple of days later - I bought a local newspaper that I don't usually buy -it was an impulse buy, and I just decided to scan the small ads. There was a small, two line ad - "Can you be a friend to someone on DR?" It was as simple as that. I thought about it - and my instincts were telling me to reply. So I did - and its been a life-changing experience. Because now - I can see beyond the act to the person - and some of them are tremendous people. Edward Lagrone who was killed recently - I know what he was convicted of - but I also know he was one of the most thinking, intelligent men I've ever come across, or had the good fortune to meet, albeit briefly. As are so many of them I've had contact with over the years - sadly they only learn to find the people they can be, once they're in that dark place. They've been friends, we've grown together, and learnt from each other, and I can only thank God for the blessing he gave me the day that I broke routine and went into town, and met that woman.
Debs Barton
JUSTICE FOR ARKIE BARTON - INNOCENT ON DEATH ROW
http://www.petitionpetition.com/cgi/petition.cgi?id=6524&action=read
Thirteen years ago I went to work for a Death Penalty Resource Center. Prior to this, I really had no experience at all with criminal law or anyone in a penitentiary setting. Eleven years ago, I began working with a criminal defense attorney. Due to my positions at both places, I came in contact with prisoners with very long sentences, and with death row. After visiting death row and speaking with these people, I came to realize that they aren’t all that different from people we have met or know of on the “outside” world, and, even ourselves. “There but for the Grace of God …”
Most of them are very lonely and either have no family or dysfunctional families. Most have been in prison for awhile and have had an opportunity to start changing who they were. Most simply need someone to “speak” with and to share with. They enjoy living vicariously through your lives. I share info on my children, my grandchildren and the outside world in general.
I have never felt threatened or worried at all. Some share more than others. All make me very appreciative of what I have now in my life, what I’ve had in my life growing up and what my children have, and their children have. I have found it a worthwhile task, even when I’m very busy and find it difficult to keep up.
I belong to Human Writes,a British organisation that finds penfriends for death row prisoners.I have two penpals myself and am a co-ordinator for four US prisons,i.e.I link prisoners with people over here who want to write to them,and am there for advice and help. Is it safe? Well,I suppose there is the remote possibility that a prisoner could break out,come over here and attack me,but why should s/he? Generally I find prisoners only too grateful to have someone who cares enough to write.I find the whole thing very rewarding. Of course there can be problems;in my experience the commonest is the persistent requests by some prisoners for money - some can be quite manipulative,and given their situation - inability to earn much money if any,abandonment by family and friends -perhaps it's not surprising they beg for money to replace writing paper or biros for instance.But most are very appreciative I would say. British penfriends often find the prisoner gives them more than they can give in return;some go over to visit their friends on the row,some have even attended an execution. If anyone is considering writing to a prisoner,it would help,certainly at the beginning,to have someone with experience to whom a new writer can turn for help - with things like prison mailing rules,which can be draconian(!),with how to deal with a manipulative prisoner,how to tackle a prisoner who stops writing and you don't know why etc.....I hope this helps. Yours sincerely, David Perry
Prisoners Write On What Having Penpals/Webpages Has Meant To Them
"I want to thank you. I do not dramatize or exaggerate when I tell you I believe you have served as a conduit that saved my life. In the despair that can overwhelm us here, I was very seriously considering suicide or waiving my appeals. Because of you I have found reason for fighting, reason for living, and happiness beyond measure."
- Texas death row prisoner
Another wrote: "Your site has changed my life, it taught me to love to write, except when it gets over 100 degrees in my tiny cell. But it helped me hang on to life; most times while on death row I wanted to give up and die, not only cause someone was gone because of me or cause I lost everything. But I felt like I was worthless. [Because of you]… I was blessed with another chance."
- New Jersey death row prisoner
"...I can't thank you enough, I've found both my sons only because of your webpage you put up for me....I received many letters from people willing to help me in my search...thank you again for all your help. The difference you're making in our life on death row, is more than can be put in writing. Thank you."
- Florida prisoner Glen Rogers
"I really appreciate what ya'll are doing, its a great help to us guys on DR. I've gotten a lot of penpals because of CCADP's webpage, so, I've got a window to the outside world. I'm able to learn about different cultures and customs, I've made a lot of good friends, when I'm writing my penpals and reading their letters, I'm no longer trapped in this 8 by 5, but off in different parts of the country and world seeing through their eyes. I really do appreciate what you all are doing. Thank you."
Alabama prisoner Wes Quick
"... Yes, many, many people have written to me. They said that they've seen information about my case on the CCADP website."
-Indiana prisoner Zolo Agona Azania
"...I am sending you this letter to thank you both for helping me get on the web and meet new people. I now have four new penpals and the mail has been overwhelming. Thank you so much"
Nevada prisoner Richard Haberstroh
"...I recieved a lot of Christmas cards and I owe it all to you two. Thank you so much for your internet."
Montana prisoner Daniel Johnson
"A little over a year ago,...I had you put me on your website for the penpal program, which you did and I'm very appreciative for your doing so....I have found someone to write to...I also thank and commend you all for everything that you do in regards to those on Death Rows throughout the United States. The service you provide does make a difference in our lives, sometimes its the difference between ones staying grounded and in reality and one losing it mentally and never returning. What you do counts!"
Texas prisoner Joseph Nichols
"I want to thank you both for the great work you are doing in terms of giving death row prisoners a venue to articulate their thoughts and ideas."
California prisoner Steve Champion
" I heard from three penpals in 2 weeks who visited your sight. I want you to know it is a success in getting the word out about the death penalty. You may not get many letters of praise but I want you to know your efforts are appreciated by MANY here on death row. You have helped out a lot of people with your service. "
Alabama prisoner Michael Taylor
"I have been on your website for about a year...By the way I really like your internet a lot, I have found a lot of nice people from your website. I also want to thank you for that as well."
Kentucky prisoner Larry Osborne since released!!!!
"A very nice lady who lives in ****** saw it the other day...and her decided she wants to write to me, oh, she are going to keep writing and be a real friend to me, and wants to help me....and she seems like a very very nice lady. So that was wonderful yes, I had got a card from that lady. "
Florida prisoner David Lee Thomas
CCADP Death Row Prisoner Pen Pal Requests
The CCADP
offers free webpages to over 500 Death Row Prisoners
Contact us for more information.
"The Eyes Of The World Are Watching Now"
This page was last updated April 24, 2005 Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
This page is maintained and updated by Dave Parkinson and Tracy Lamourie in Toronto, Canada
CCADP BOOKSTORE
Note: For those of you writing to prisoners; consider a book or a magazine subscription as a gift - something they can receive weekly or monthly; something to fill up the time and keep their mind occupied; something to look forward to in the mail. Via Amazon.com, if you order a magazine subscription for yourself or your prisoner pen pal via the link above, a percentage of your purchase will go towards helping to support the CCADP's web outreach.