There is no doubt that living in prison is hard, and inmates will need support from their family and friends to revive their spirits. In addition to visiting them in person, sending an inspirational letter to inmates in prison could be of great value to them.
If you have an incarcerated friend, it’s important for you to support them by sending an inspirational letter. If this is your first time writing a letter to a friend in jail, you may not yet know how to start. However, there are some guidelines for writing an inspirational letter you should follow to send to a friend in jail. Let’s check them out!
What is an Inspirational Letter You Can Send to a Friend in Jail?
Writing an inspirational letter to a friend in jail means you provide motivation through writing so that he or she always has the enthusiasm to live life, whether imprisoned or after being released.
No matter what crimes your friend committed, what you should do is give him or her hope. If you send an inspirational letter to a friend in jail, never judge what he or she has done or mention crimes and violations he or she has committed in your letter.
Instead of blaming him or her, include the following in your letter:
- Giving motivation and hope
- Helping your friend find faith
- Lifting his or her spirits
- Helping his or her to survive
- Letting him or her know that he or she is still loved.
- Making him or her try harder to be rehabilitated
- Making him or her feel less lonely
To make it easier for you to write an inspirational letter, you can:
- Tell funny stories or unforgettable experiences you’ve shared with him or her.
- Provide some inspirational quotes in your letter.
- Depending on his or her religion, include religious quotes from the Al Quran, Bible, or other holy books.
- Provide him or her with word games to keep them entertained, and they will be eager to receive another letter from you.
Guides to Writing an Inspirational Letter
Here are the following guidelines for writing an inspirational letter to a friend in jail:
1. Find Out the Inmate’s Booking Number
Before you send an inspirational letter to a friend in jail, it’s important for you to find out the inmate’s booking number. However, some prisons require you to attach the inmate’s full name and booking number with the address on the envelope.
To find out your friend’s booking number, you can do a simple internet search by using the inmate locator tool, or you can also call the jail and make a request for the inmate’s booking number for the purposes of sending a piece of mail to the jail.
2. Look for the Address of the Jail
If your friend is a federal inmate, you can search his or her database at https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/. On the inmate locator tool page, you can find your friend by name; make sure to enter your friend’s first, middle, and last names. You also need to select race, age, and sex.
By doing this, it will usually give you information about an inmate’s booking number, the address of the prison where an inmate is incarcerated, etc. After getting the information, you can then note the booking number of your friend and the address of the prison to include in your inspirational letter.
3. Start Writing an Inspirational Letter
After getting your friend’s booking number and the address of the jail, you can start writing an inspirational letter. What you should include in your letter are things like optimistic, honest, understanding, patient, hopeful, and any motivational things.
4. Send an Inspirational Letter to a Friend in Jail
If all is ready, you can then send an inspirational letter to a friend in jail. When sending a letter to jail, make sure to pay attention to the address of the jail, an inmate’s full name, an inmate’s booking number, etc.
On the outside of the envelope, you need to write the address in the center.
- The first line should provide an inmate’s name and booking number.
- The second line should provide the physical address of the jail, or the P.O. box where your mail will be accepted.
- The third line should provide the city, state, and zip code.
When a letter does not reach its destination, it can be caused by incorrect spelling of the inmate’s name, booking number, and address of the jail, as well as writing down the wrong unit number. If it happens, you may get your letter back with the “Return to sender” stamp.
In the letter, you also need to include your name and return address. On the first line of the envelope, you need to write your first and last names. On the second line, you have to write your street address. On the third line, you can write your city, state, and zip code.
Example of Inspirational Letter to a Friend in Jail
| Dear Julian,
How are you there? I hope you’re always fine and strong, as you used to say when I was getting down. I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to meet you in person. It doesn’t mean that I don’t miss you, but you should know that I’m currently undergoing a work trial in a start-up company that makes it impossible for me to go out during this training. The day before I had my job training, I met your mom at the grocery store, and I happened to be shopping for what I needed during the training. I’m so glad your mother still remembers me and even greets me first. Do you know? Your mother told me you’re now fatter and healthier, she even called you *Pooh* like a cute bear. I laugh while imagining your body fat that looks like Pooh. Even if you’re out in a few years, I feel it won’t be long and we’ll see each other soon. When the time comes, may I bring you a bucket of honey, as Winnie the Pooh enjoys it? Ha-ha-ha! Not only that, of course! After you’re released, let’s have a barbecue in your backyard. Remember? I used to fall asleep in the gazebo until you hit my head hard. You really know that’s the most comfortable place in your house for me. With this letter, I hope you’re entertained, remain cheerful, and always have full hope for living in the future. As Nicole Kidman says, “Life has got all those twists and turns. You’ve got to hold on tight and off you go.” And as Joseph Campbell says, “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” Okay, don’t forget to read some of your favorite journals and take care of your health. I’d like to write to you back. Always wait for me, okay? Your friend, Mark Fillan |
What Not to Include in an Inspirational Letter?
In the case of sending an inspirational letter, there are strict inmate mail rules and regulations on what you can and cannot write in a letter. Your letter will be checked after its reception by the prison officials.
The following are examples of forbidden content you shouldn’t include in an inspirational letter:
- Glitter and confetti
- Explicit or sexual photos
- Perfumed letters
- Cash and gift certificates
- Personalized gift card
- Items with gel ink, crayon, glue, or white-out
- Food and candy
- Hardback and leather-bound books
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
