Female inmates are often lonely and look for love and companionship. They also want to have a life away from prison.
That’s why many of them have a pen pal in prison. Some even go on blind dates with incarcerated men they know only by reputation.
1. They are lonely
In her book, Love Lockdown: Dating, Sex and Marriage in America’s Prisons, Elizabeth Greenwood writes that female inmates looking for marriage often feel lonely. This is especially true for women who have children and may be separated from them.
Many inmates do not have a support system, and the lack of social contact can make them more vulnerable to making poor choices while in prison. Writing to pen pals helps these female inmates feel less alone and gives them something to look forward to each day while they are incarcerated.
Some inmates meet online through prisoner pen-pal websites where lonely jailbirds put out calls for romance. Others meet through friends who visit a prison to see their incarcerated significant others.
2. They are looking for companionship
Women looking for marriage are often lonely, and seeking companionship is one way to reduce that loneliness. Some are even hoping to find a partner while in prison.
A Facebook group based in Western Australia is helping men and women connect with each other while in jail. The page features posts by people seeking mail from someone on the outside, as well as profiles of those who are actually in prison and have been put on the waiting list to be contacted.
A woman serving a life sentence for murder recently put up a post on the group looking for female pen pals. She says she is feeling “a little bit lost” and hopes someone on the outside will write to her. She also mentions that she would like to make a phone call to someone who can “come and visit.”
3. They are looking for love
One of the biggest things that women behind bars want is love and support. These are often the things that keep them going, and help them overcome the problems that they face.
Unlike men, women are more comfortable with sharing their thoughts and emotions with others, and are able to build strong relationships when they are incarcerated. This is important because it can provide them with the emotional and social support that they need to succeed once they are released.
These relationships also make them less likely to repeat past mistakes and have better social skills. These are the things that will keep them from being a risk to themselves or to others in the future.
By writing letters to female inmates, you can provide them with the love and support they need. It can help them feel like they are not alone in their struggle, and it can give them hope that there is a better way to live.
4. They are looking for support
Despite the stigma associated with being behind bars, incarcerated women are no strangers to romance. In fact, a recent study found that over a quarter of women inmates have been dating for more than a year. It’s no wonder that some women are looking for a knight in shining armor to take care of them. To their credit, many have found the perfect partner through online or offline means, e.g., meetups and dating apps. A good number have also opted to find a companion to help them navigate life after prison, e.g., online dating and re-entry programs like job retraining.
