Friday 28 February 2014
Mail to the Jail: It builds on the great efforts of Operation Valentine (#opValentine) and Operation Penpal (#opPenpal), which greatly encouraged these political targets and prisoners. No one should have to sit. Isolated when they are being punished by the government for following their conscience. So until we free them all, lets show them we never forget.
Some of our bravest heroes and activists are now in jail and they need your help. Just for a moment, close your eyes and think about going to jail for years. Being isolated from your family, friends, lover and supporters. Imagine in this loneliness how valuable receiving a letter with loving words, a drawing from an admiring child, photos or news from supporters can be. To the arrested activists, it means difference between sanity and insanity, between life and death, between a burning hope of freedom or despair.
That’s why they need you! And it’s simple as writing a letter.
What should I write about?
Your day, the weather, general news, funny stuff from the web and TV. Also, it’s good to ask them generic questions like where they are from, what stuff they like, what kind of music they enjoy, what’s their favorite TV show, etc.
What can I include with my letters?
Most of the facilities do not allow photo paper. So print them on regular paper. Send pictures related to general news topics, cute animals, outside landscapes, etc.
This is a wonderful form of expression and communication. If you send them art of your own, it holds especially high value. Even drawings from your kids is great!
Inmates often have very limited access to outside news, so anything you send helps keep them connected with the outside world. Try to find news related to a topic they like or place they are from.
What should I never, ever write about?
Not only can discussing their case can hurt them legally, but it is also all they ever think about. They need communication that offers them a break from that.
If you do, their mail will simply not get to them.
Many of the defendants on our list are being prosecuted for their perceived involvement with Anonymous and are not allowed any contact with Anons. By extension, please don’t send them photos of Guy Fawkes masks or other Anon symbols.
Similarly, other defendants are being prosecuted for perceived political affiliations. We recommend not discussing their politics in letters.
What else should I know?
- Prisoners do not get the envelope. Include your name/nickname in the letter itself and an address they can write to if you would like a response.
- Keep the number of paper sheet to a minimum. Most only allow 6 or less. Check with the facility.
- Don’t include stamps or money in your letter. You need to donate to the commissary. Some facilities might have exceptions.
- Stickers, glitter, glue, and other fun stuff is prohibited. Paper and ink only.
- Almost every facility has a website. Go to the website of each facility to see what special rules they may have before you write.
Keep writing.
If you don’t get a response, keep writing. Sometimes mail doesn’t make it to them, they don’t have money for stamps that week or they just don’t feel up to writing back. Your letters are still important. If they write back, consider it a bonus.
About law enforcement.
- All letters are read by the facility staff. They most likely will be copied and stored for further use by them.
- A real full name and return address are required on the envelope.
- Your name might end up on some law enforcement watch list.
More.
For detailed information on mailing restrictions at facilities across the US, visit the Prisonary wiki.
Letter writing campaign of the Anonymous Solidarity Network - Thanks AnonInsiders
