Prisons are the next generation update to the United States' caste system. In the US, our prisons are disproportionately filled with men of color, specifically black and latinx men, despite research showing that crimes are perpetuated equally by people of all races and backgrounds(read more). BIPoC are simply arrested, prosecuted, and convicted far more often than whites... As a result, our criminal justice system is one of the key drivers of racial wealth inequality.

 

Becoming incarcerated makes it extremely difficult to find jobs, get housing, get education, get support, etc., and the rate of mental illness is high. Furthermore, few people of privilege understand what life is like behind bars, and have no personal investment in dismantling our prison system and providing support for its current tenants.

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Prisoners have little contact with the outside world beyond their family. In some cases, prisoners may not even have family that they are regularly able to keep in contact with. While there are existing letter-writing programs between inmates and the outside world, they are neither highly utilized enough nor safe enough for many individuals to feel comfortable taking part, in large part, due to the exchange of personal information. 

 

Therefore, we are starting a pen pal project wherein CU students (and other community members, if interested) can correspond with inmates in a more safe and secure fashion, doing all correspondence through a liaison (inmates will not directly address or mail the letters) and distribution system fully operated by the SJS. We will also be using a buddy system to ensure that not only is all correspondence healthy and safe, but that the inmates' needs are being met and we are connecting them with appropriate resources should they need help beyond our ability to give. We want to connect lonely people and give these inmates a chance at positive, caring community connections, so that they can have some friendships and reintegrate successfully.