Write to Animal Rights Activists!
From: I Want Changes To Happen!
Date: Apr 14, 2009 2:30 PM
From: veganTHIS.org
They are in there for us…so we are out there for them! A mini-guide in writing to animal and earth liberation prisoners
Take a minute to think about what you did today and yesterday, and this week. Chances are, a prisoner couldn’t have done any of it. Prisoners don’t get to go to shows, walk around the city, call anyone and talk as long as they want, or eat at vegan BBQ’s. They’re taken away from their friends and family and locked up in an unfamiliar, hostile environment often for years at a time.
All this because they care about the same issues you do. They just got caught doing something they knew was right. Whether it’s liberating animals from a testing laboratory, destroying logging equipment, or simply attending a demonstration, all incarcerated activists deserve our support.
Taking just a minute out of your day to send a letter, a book, or a magazine to a prisoner shows that you care, and makes her or his time there a little easier. A letter costs you a stamp and five minutes. There’s no excuse for not writing to prisoners. Contact Josh Demmitt’s support group at supportjosh@riseup.net with any questions, or to ask for suggestions on how and what to write. Prisoner support is the duty of every single person who cares about the same issues others have given up their freedom for.
Writing to prisoners 101
You’ll need:
1) A stamp
2) A standard size, blank paper envelope
3) A piece of white notebook paper
4) A pencil, or a blue or black non-gel pen
5) This writing
Look at the end of the writing for a few prisoners in the United States who need your support. For a more complete list, and for updates check out their individual websites, and www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk/addresses.html
1) Just pick one
The prisoners listed on this writing are there because they’re newer prisoners and are still adjusting to prison life. They need a lot of support, but so do all prisoners. Read up on an activist’s situation and interests, and see if it’s something you can relate to.Nnon-english speaking prisoners get less letters- consider them if you can write in another language.
2) Keep it simple
Check support websites to see if a prisoner can receive cards and other things in the mail, or ask the prisoner or a support contact person on the outside. Until you know the exact regulations of the prison you’re mailing your letter to, its best to keep it simple. Write on a blank notebook or copy paper no bigger then 8.5 x 11 and don’t use any special colored or gel pens or pencils, stamps, or stickers. Don’t write anything on the outside or inside of the envelope except the prisoners address and your full name and return address in the upper left hand corner of the addressed side of the envelope. Use plain white envelopes without a clear plastic address window, or any special decorations. Most prisons require a return address, so if you don’t have one, ask around for a friend or group’s address you can use.
If you’re mailing anything more than a letter, clearly write the contents of the package near the prisoner’s address. For example, write: "Contents: 1 greeting card, 3 magazines.” or “1 piece of paper, 2 books.” many prisoners have restrictions on the number and type of books and magazines they can get. Ask first before you waste your time and money.
3) Be smart
If a prisoner hasn’t been sentenced yet, and is still awaiting trial, don’t comment on their case. Especially don’t imply that they’re guilty of their charges, or congratulate them. Don’t give legal advice, and don’t even joke about illegal activity. Overall, just think before you write. Remember that prison officials read all mail sent to inmates.
4) Write a letter
One of the main problems people often come across in supporting prisoners is a feeling of intimidation about writing to a prisoner for the first time. It can be a very hard to write a letter to someone you don’t know. People find that they either don’t know what to say, feel there are things they can’t talk about, or think that prisoners won’t be interested in what they have to say. The fact is, prison is a really lonely place, and any letter received means a lot to a prisoner.
Say who you are, a group affiliation, and maybe where you’re from. Say where you heard about them and their cause. The first letter can be reasonably short, maybe only a postcard. obviously when you get to know people better you’ll have more to talk about.
5) Mail it
One stamp can mail an envelope and 5 pieces of notebook paper. Correction officers and other prison officials often harass prisoners by denying them their mail. If you think this might be happening to your letters, try sending them “certified mail” or with “delivery confirmation.” don’t ever write “legal mail” or anything implying that you are an attorney unless you are.
Some prisoners can’t receive letters, but not the envelopes they’re mailed in, so write your return address and full name in the letter as well. It’s a good idea to write it on each page too. If you can, as well as the prisoners address since sometimes a page or two will go missing. Also, number the pages like ” 1/5, 2/5, 3/5…” so that a prisoner can tell if some pages are missing.
Start with writing to these activist!
Jordan Halliday
Inmate #24836
1225 West Valley View Highway, Suite 100
Logan, UT 84321
Jacob Conroy, # 93501-011
FCI Termial Island?
Federal Correctional Institution
?PO Box 3007
San Pedro, CA 90731
Lauren Gazzola
#93497-011
FCI Danbury
Federal Correctional Institution
Route #37
Danbury, CT 06811
Joshua Harper
#29429-086
FCI Sheridan
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 5000
Sheridan, OR 97378
Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011
Unit I
FCI Sandstone
P.O. BOX 1000
Sandstone, MN 55072
