Writing letters to prisoners, and other mercy resolutions

[Seven77]

 The other evening, I watched a documentary on Netflix called 13th, a harrowing look at the mass incarcerations that take place in the United States-- the number of African-Americans in prisons has skyrocketed over the decades, and many of them are there for relatively minor crimes.  13th was rather eye-opening, despite the political slant that may be apparent at times throughout the documentary. Anyway, I started thinking about that and about recent jubilee for prisoners that took place in Rome during the last few days of this holy year. Wouldn't it be a good idea to at least write letters to prisoners as an act of mercy, a way to address the “I was in prison and you visited me" statement of Jesus contained in Matthew's Gospel? Thoughts or ideas on how to go about doing this? 

 Also, there are other things, spiritual/corporal works of mercy that we might do so as to continue living in the spirit of the jubilee year of mercy. Thoughts?

[CatherineM]

I have done it in the past. My main recommendation is to be careful. Inmates can be highly manipulative. 

[beatitude]

Have a look at Lifelines. It is an organisation enabling people to exchange letters with people on Death Row. They offer support and practical guidance on how to write, what to write, etc., to make sure that neither you nor your penfriend is affected badly by the correspondence.

I know other groups that organise prison visiting, and also visits to prisoners' families, who may often be socially stigmatised and isolated. But these are UK-based and may not be much good to you. You could try contacting the Catholic chaplains at your local prisons to see if they have anything to suggest.

[WhiteLily]

Is there a Priest/Deacon/Religious/Pastoral Minister at your parish that does this ministry (visiting the imprisoned?) It is best to go with someone or seek their counsel on how to evangelize, but also be safe. 

[<3 PopeFrancis]

3 hours ago, Seven77 said:

 The other evening, I watched a documentary on Netflix called 13th, a harrowing look at the mass incarcerations that take place in the United States-- the number of African-Americans in prisons has skyrocketed over the decades, and many of them are there for relatively minor crimes.  13th was rather eye-opening, despite the political slant that may be apparent at times throughout the documentary. Anyway, I started thinking about that and about recent jubilee for prisoners that took place in Rome during the last few days of this holy year. Wouldn't it be a good idea to at least write letters to prisoners as an act of mercy, a way to address the “I was in prison and you visited me" statement of Jesus contained in Matthew's Gospel? Thoughts or ideas on how to go about doing this? 

 Also, there are other things, spiritual/corporal works of mercy that we might do so as to continue living in the spirit of the jubilee year of mercy. Thoughts?

It would be a very good idea!

I tried to get into a ministry like this upon seeing a documentary as well.  This ministry is difficult to begin on your own.  You definitely need support from your community which will guide you spiritually and temporally through the different systems: church, government, otherwise.

My prayers are with you Seven.

[Spem in alium]

I have a penfriend who has been on death row for 23 years. I happened to start writing to him a few years ago when I was studying on exchange in the US: the college chaplaincy sent out an invitation and I decided to do it. I continued to write after I left for home.

Simply being there for someone, showing them you care about them and that you love them is an act of mercy. I volunteer every week in a food outlet providing emergency bags to people in need. Our clients can come every month and, to be honest, the quantity of food we give them isn't huge. While they come to receive physical assistance, I can tell a lot of them just want to hear a friendly voice, vent their problems and have someone listen. It's why I try not to rush through clients, though of course you can't stay with them too long. If they want to talk to me, I let them talk.