Just found this thread and I'm genuinely curious as to the reasons people would want prison pen pal, rather than any other person as a pen pal? What is the appeal about writing to a prisoner? Whether they are innocent or guilty, or on a path of rehabilitation, what is the aim in writing to them?
It's worrying to see how many people view this as a 'harmless' thing and view themselves to be well informed through a scan of a profile or a Google search. Do the profiles list personality traits and disorders as well as offending history? You don't know the prisoners intentions and once the communication is there, you can't control the impact that their words, behaviour or offending may have on you.
Do you know whether you're effectively contributing to their sexual fantasy by providing what seems like insignificant details about your life? Some of the comments mention leaving out address or phone number, but innocent details like what you did that day can fuel a sexual sadists fantasy where this would allow them to fantasise about how and when they would/could commit an offence. Providing fully clothed pics instead of nude ones? Well done, now they know what you look like and this can also fuel a desire for sexual violence. Oh but they are serving life in prison? Not to worry, it's just the prison staff and civilian staff that you've now put at risk
