CORRESPONDING WITH THE INMATE

The "Pen Pal" Ministry is a worthy ministry to embark upon as a means of communicating with the inmate. However, it is a ministry where caution must be exercised so that the pen pal will not be manipulated by the cleverness of the inmate. In all of your correspondence with inmates, please allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your fingers, your thoughts, and your pen so that you will always communicate in the language of heaven.

Listed below are some basic Do's and Don't in the Pen Pal Ministry.

Do:

  • Have your letters mailed to the church
  • Be careful in your communication. You don't want to give the wrong perception to the inmate.
  • Point the person to Christ and other positive ideas and values.
  • Be kind, courteous, and cordial in your correspondence.
  • Invite Jesus and the Holy Spirit into your penmanship.

Don't:

  • Give your home address.
  • Give your last name.
  • Give your phone number.
  • Become intimate and romantic through letter writing (you will be tested by the inmate).
  • Preach to the inmate in your correspondence.
  • Be manipulative into visiting the inmate.
  • Send literature without consulting with the Chaplain.
  • Do any self-disclosures about yourself or other members of your family.