Tips For Writing Inmates

This information provided hopefully to instruct, encourage, and inspire those that would have a desire to follow the Lord's leading in prison ministry, so that every inmate IPPC Prison Ministries will have the opportunity to get to know Jesus Christ and be saved, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit working through lay persons dedicated to provide their selves as an instrument of God.

It is impossible to reach all those that would have a knowledge of salvation due to the fact that we do not have volunteers working in every prison. Second, not every inmate will come to our programs but would like to have some Spiritual correspondence.

To teach the do and don'ts of ministering behind prison walls through the written word. Inmates are begging for someone who cares and is willing to take the time and effort to correspond in Christian love.

We hope that through this training and examples you will be effective in this ministry. Anything not covered in this manual should be directed to the IPPC Prison Ministries

*Consult your pastor for continuing guidance

Do's and Don'ts:

Do's:

1. When in doubt, ask. Be a Christian friend to inmates. Share your faith with inmates. Keep your objectivity. Give the name and address, of the Pen Pal P.O. Box only. Be dependable. Be patient. Be honest. Be a good listener. Do be aware of con games. Do be trustworthy when someone shares with you personal or confidential information. Do be prepared to handle flirting or romantic advances. Do try to find ways to encourage and give hope.
2. Do be very kind and courteous to everyone.

Don'ts:

1. Don't make promises you can't keep.
2. Don't try to be a theologian.
3. Don't have a "holier-than-thou" attitude.
4. Don't be an expert or reformer.
5. Don't do this to help yourself.
6. Nothing is to be given to the inmates -- one stamp only ( so that they will have a stamp to write back, but only if needed ), no clothing, no pencils, no pens. Absolutely nothing. There is a procedure by which inmates may receive articles that they need. Consult the One-to-One leader for proper procedures.
7. No telephone numbers are to be given to the inmates.
8. Don't give money to an inmate.
9. Don't ask why a person is or has been in prison.
10. Don't be "preachy" or push people into making a decision for Christ.
11. Don't criticize staff, an institution, other races, countries, or religions.
12. Don't enter any personal or business transactions with prisoners. It could be a FELONY and you could be prosecuted.
13. No worker's home address is to be given to an inmate at any time.
14. Do not allow the inmates to become personal with you. Remember familiarity breeds contempt. The pen-pal is there to do a job for the Master and everything that is done must represent Him. Therefore, it is necessary to do all things in decency and in order.
15. No person of the opposite sex will be allowed to have a one on one relationship with an inmate.
16. No hard back books are to be given to inmates.
17. Be careful about sending pictures to inmates. They should be of a family setting only.

• Offer encouragement. Make sure he/ she  knows that there is such a thing as a new beginning. Jesus forgives everyone of every sin.

  Try to understand the inmate's feelings and his situation.

  Make sure you understand (and acknowledge) that his pain is for real. Help to validate his feelings.

  Speak God's Word but don't preach.

  Do NOT violate the rules set forth. Inmates know about breaking rules- more than we do. Be the one they see following the rules instead of breaking them.

  Inmates have experienced a lot of rejection. Let them know about Jesus' rejection by His family, friends and His world.

  Never betray the inmate's trust.

  Use clean and decent humor whenever possible. Humor heals a lot of wounds.

  Don't ask questions that are TOO personal. Let them share what they want in their own time.

• If there are any problems or questions not covered in these pages, please call, write or email me.

Inmate Pen Pal Connection ,  is a  nonprofit organization a Its mission is to help incarcerated inmates  in their recovery from destructive behavior by sharing God's love and hope through the teaching of His Word.