Jim Auer                                 First worldwide serial rights

4504 Clearwater Place #15 1621 words

Cincinnati, OH 45248 Copyright 2016

Brandon is the Founder of Inside Out Letter Ministry and Jim Auer wrote the article below, which was published in the "St. Anthony Messenger Magazine" in 2016 to promote volunteers.  The ministry is managed by Brandon's mother, Lisa Roach. More information on sources of penpals and ways to write and/or connect are at the end of this article. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE “MORE THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE”

A Prison Pen Pal Ministry

By Jim Auer

From Jeff I’ve learned how to sooth a jittery cow that’s about to spook the entire herd. (Technique explained shortly.) He’s given me an example of standing up many times for the defenseless–even if it results in a blood-spurting six-inch gash in the neck.

Isaiah has given me inspiration beyond measure from his survival of physical, sexual, verbale, and emotional abuse-and a life blown apart at seventeen into a recipe for permanent moral and psychological ruin. His choice of faith over negative fatalism leaves me shaking my head in admiration and gratitude for grace.

Brandon has given me a renewed appreciation for our Catholic faith through the contagious enthusiasm he displays as he delves into learning it. Once a high ranking officer in a white supremacist hate organization, he avidly studies the faith and is preparing to enter the Church. He approaches his study of Catholicism with the curiosity of a kitten.

Jeff, Isaiah, and Brandon are among the dozen or so prisoners I correspond with. They’re incarcerated in a variety of penal institutions from California to Florida. They all say, “You don’t know what your letters mean. Thanks for writing.” Some add,” Almost no one else does.”

You can be a “someone else” who does.

How can you “visit the imprisoned” even if you don’t know anyone behind bars, live     far from any prison, and lack time and/or transportation to get there anyway?

Here’s how.

But first, why.

How many times have we heard homilies about reaching out to others, especially the lonely, the impoverished, the forgotten, the “marginalized?” How often have we been encouraged from the pulpit to be generous with our two best (or at least most personal) gifts: our time and ourselves? Many times; very often.

It always sounds like such a great idea-and it often remains only that. A great idea, but general, vague, and nebulous. It doesn’t come with concrete directions. We’re not sure exactly how to reach people covered under “those who…”mentioned in our Prayers of the Faithful, or what to do when we find them. So a great idea stays in the homily or the Prayers of the Faithful. Writing to a prisoner is a wonderful way to channel that great idea from church into concrete action. The lonely, the hurting, the marginalized, the forgotten… Most prisoners are all of those. We don’t undertake an outreach specifically to receive a response of gratitude in return. But this is one wherein a very grateful response is virtually guaranteed.

It’s understandable to feel a touch of apprehension or have some reservations about writing to a convict. Understandable, but needless with just a smidge of common sense.” They’ll have my address and when they’re released, they’ll come here and murder us!” For being a kind, loving, supportive person? Not Likely. Erase that fear by writing to someone hundreds of miles away or serving a life sentence.

“I wouldn’t know what to write about.” In almost no other situation do a few words about almost any topic become nuggets of gold. Whatever interest you have will interest them. Write about yourself, your family, your job, your hobbies, your interests, your faith, your almost anything, present and/or past. Grandchildren are dynamite- and yes, by all means brag about how adorable and talented they are. One prisoner’s profile concluded with “Enough about me. Now, tell me about you. Trust me, I’m interested.”

The easiest, quickest access to prisoners who need letters is through one of the internet prison pen pal sites.

Each site is a bit different, but all list basic information: name, age or birth date, race, religion, date of incarnation, and dates of earliest release, unless serving life, and a photo. Nearly all feature a an introduction profile written by the inmate, usually detailing his/her background and interest. As you read the profiles, ask the Holy Spirit to help you choose. Count on the Spirit’s guidance, rather than blindly choosing a name.

It’s easy to stereotype convicts, but most are as distinctly individual as people outside. Some are intellectually gifted, educated, and well read, Others are limited in their educational background.

Among my other pen pals, Michael is a history buff, especially about the civil war, and very knowledgeable about politics both then and now. Mark designs computer software and produces video programs for his prison. Keven never made it through tenth grade, but the prison employs him as a mechanic. (Wages in prison range from twelve cents to $1.41 an hour.)

Their resources vary, including writing materials. If you don’t receive an answer quickly, the likeliest reason is that the inmate doesn’t have enough funds in prison account to buy paper, etc.. ( Other reasons include serious depression and injury from an incident of ever present prison violence.)

Can you help an inmate with a prison account? Yes, but it’s a mistake to feel obligated. Most do not ask for any assistance.

A few prisoners become quite religious while incarcerated. Cynics call this jailhouse salvation and think it will evaporate. That’s possible but not certain. I always treat it as genuine and respond with encouragement by sharing my own beliefs and experience. I think it’s a mistake to turn letters into sermons.

Sympathy for prison’s harsh conditions is good and in order. But a simple acknowledgement is sufficient: overflowing sympathy can promote self-pity. Condescending and patronizing are turn offs- and disrespectful.( I know you’ve done some bad things to get in prison, but I’m just going to look past all that and help you start over.)

Before being incarcerated. Jeff was a real life cowboy. He longs to return to the open range someday. (To soothe a dangerously jittery cow about to spook the herd, ride up very quietly, slowly reach down to massage its wet nose, and hum or sing very softly to it.) He was also a modern time hobo, riding the rails in empty box cars.

Isaiah just turned twenty one. When he was seventeen, years of multiple, unspeakable abuse erupted into an action that brought a life without parole sentence.

When Brandon first converted to the Christian faith, he planned to someday become a non-denominational minister. He has now finished his studies and is a minister working on getting his masters.

SOURCES OF PEN PALS

friendsbeyondthewall.com prisoninmates.com prisonpenpals.net

prisoninmatepenpal.com writeaprisoner.com convictpenpals.com

Don’t have a computer? 

Write:

Inside Out Letter Ministry

PO Box 11

Cherryville, NC 28021

OR Call:

704-747-2796