“Probably the easiest and arguably most important aspect of supporting prisoners is writing to them. One of the hardest things for many prisoners to cope with is the feeling of isolation – being cut off from friends and family and everything they know in their normal lives. A letter or postcard from the real world, even from a complete stranger, helps to maintain a connection with the outside and relieves the infernal tedium of a regime that often involves spending 23 hours of the day in the same cell. For a first-time prisoner, especially in the early stages of a sentence, this type of support can make a huge difference, helping them cope with the unfamiliar and often intimidating surroundings. For those fighting back from within, it’s a simple message of solidarity – you’re not on your own!”
For many of us, letter-writing is a lost art, or maybe even one we never acquired, but for prisoners, receiving a letter can be the highlight of their day. Writing a letter to someone you don’t know may seem a bit daunting, so here are a few things to consider before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
Get yourself some writing paper or a postcard. Greetings cards are often only allowed in from ‘approved suppliers’ such as Moonpig. You could make a card, but if you do, don’t stick anything to it, such as stickers or pictures. You can write to as many prisoners as you want, but you need to send each letter separately, you can’t put letters to 2 prisoners in one envelope for example. Don’t reuse envelopes or stamps, and ensure you affix the correct postage.
Write your name and address on, along with the date. The mail won’t be issued without the details of a sender, and adding the date helps prisoners track delays with their letters.
Now you just have to think of something to say! Start by introducing yourself, just as you would when meeting anyone for the first time. You already have something in common with these prisoners – they’re comrades – so tell them why you’re writing. Be aware though, that letters are read by prison staff, so don’t endanger yourself, or the prisoner you’re writing to. The letter will be blocked if you write about their alleged action.
Feel free to tell them about your interests, your musical tastes, what you enjoy doing. Don’t go overboard in your first letter, but think of something entertaining to say- nobody likes reading a boring letter! Things like poems, drawings, book recommendations, fun facts, and news about what’s going on in the movement are good to include. Keep questions to a minimum, they can be exhausting to answer, particularly as many correspondents will ask the same ones.
If you can’t think of much to say, don’t worry, the fact that you’ve reached out is the most important thing. Writing will get easier, and your letters will hopefully become a source of pleasure, both to you, and the prisoner you’re writing to.
Not all mail gets through to prisoners, even if you send it by Recorded Delivery. Enclose a Stamped Addressed Envelope with your letter, to give the prisoner the option to write back, but don’t worry if you don’t hear back from them. They may be swamped with letters, exhausted, feeling a bit down, or your letter may not have reached them. Don’t be dissuaded from writing again. If they get your letter, it will make their day.
Prisoners on hunger-strike
Qesser Zuhrah
c/o A9259FE
Bronzefield Prison
Woodthorpe Road,
Ashford
TW15 3JZ
Amy Gardiner-Gibson (Amu Gib)
c/o A1064FH
Bronzefield Prison
Woodthorpe Road,
Ashford
TW15 3JZ
Heba Muraisi
c/o A9275FE
New Hall Prison
New Hall Way
Flockton
Wakefield
WF4 4AX
Jon Cink
c/o A1063FH
Bronzefield Prison
Woodthorpe Road,
Ashford
TW15 3JZ
Teuta Hoxha
c/o A9261FE
Peterborough Prison
Saville Road
Peterborough
PE3 7PD
Kamran Ahmed
c/o A9280FE
Pentonville Prison
Caledonian Road
London
N7 8TT