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About two years ago I started writing to people in prison in America. It's been a really interesting and rewarding experience actually.

Recently I was told of an article (didn't read it myself) that people who write to inmates generally have low self esteem - whilst this doesn't bother me I did find it curious as to how this statement could be justified.

Although I've had a few inmates try to get $ from me - I have also made some terrific friendships - it's also taught me that just because some people do bad things it doesn't make them bad people.

One thing that I've noticed in relation to my penfriends is that most of them have a similar background - abusive parents, lack of education, drug or alcohol addiction - that kinda thing.

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Hi Pauli,

There is a theory that some people who get into helping people who are very clearly in a weaker position than they are, do it through low self esteem. When I was working in inner city adult education programmes I occasionally came across people who seemed to be 'do gooders' because of some unresolved issues they had in themselves. These people were not the best tutors, as they lacked objectivity when things got difficult, and they over identified with people they saw as 'victims'.

I suspect that some people become prison friends througha personal agenda like this, but the vast majority will just be well meaning and generous folk, without issues; I'm sure of that.

Showing some humanity to people locked up in prison can only be a good thing, to get them out of the claustrophobia of their surroundings for a little while.

Has anyone thought that this could be a little like psych central? Mental illness is certainly a kind of prison, and I have found that writing and reading with other folks here has been a lifeline for me. In 3d I am always pretending to be OK, but here we can be honest with each other. For someone with panic disorder or agoraphobia, the 3d world is certainly a kind of prison.

Cheers, Myzen.