Correspondence from Confinement

Letters are a lifeline for people who are behind institutional walls. Given the restrictions on communication that are imposed by jails, prisons, and hospitals, writing continues to be a powerful tool of healing and resistance for incarcerated individuals and their communities. 

This exhibit showcases the valuable correspondence contributions of inside members of the Civil Commitment Working Group. Through their writing, they have educated, advocated, and documented life on the inside of civil commitment institutions in Illinois.

Developing connections on both sides of the wall is an important step in fighting against state-sanctioned violence in prisons and institutions. Letter-writing is a way to combat the forced isolation of incarceration, and it allows incarcerated individuals to speak their truth to those of us on the outside. Through collaborations with the Civil Commitment Working Group, individuals incarcerated at Rushville and Big Muddy have taken the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns in letters. Many of those letters are included in this archive. One of the letters in the archive, from Carlos, talks about crowded conditions, inadequate legal representation, and the indefinite confinement that individuals are subjected to: “How can they keep you in here for a life sentence, of a crime we have not even committed yet?”

Unfortunately, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and state-level departments of correction are making correspondence more challenging for incarcerated individuals. Some prisons are no longer allowing people to receive the original copies of their mail, providing scans or photocopies instead. Other prisons are collaborating with private companies that gather information about the individuals sending letters across prison walls. 

Even before these developments, prison mail has always been subject to inspection and censorship from prison staff. This often means that letters are delayed or withheld from their recipients. Additionally, for-profit companies have capitalized on these limitations and imposed costly email programs that have essentially replaced paper mail in many institutions. Despite these limitations, incarcerated individuals across the country are organizing and remaining connected beyond the walls through letter-writing. This kind of connection is a direct challenge to the dehumanizing conditions of prisons and institutions. As a reflection of the value of writing from behind the walls, Hamilton College hosts the American Prison Writing Archive, which includes letters and writing from incarcerated individuals across the country.

If you are interested in developing a pen pal relationship with a person on the inside, there are several key things to keep in mind. First, your letter-writing is a commitment to someone who is seeking connection; make sure to be clear about your capacity and intentions from the beginning. Second, research the mail restrictions at the institution you will be mailing; rules can change suddenly, causing delays or returned mail. Third, be aware that your letters are likely going to be read by the institution; prison guards and institutional staff are often responsible for reading incoming and outgoing mail. There are several resources to review before connecting with a pen pal:

1. Survived and Punished’s guide to writing an incarcerated survivor

2. Sister Helen Prejean’s overview about ensuring your letter reaches its destination

3. Liberation Library’s guide to writing letters to people in jails and prisons

Highlights from the exhibit: