Prisons are not country clubs, and an ordinary prison does not just serve as a resting place for criminals. In fact, the inner life is complex and dangerous. Isolating prisoners from society can make us sleep better at night, but the truth is that our justice system and penal laws need further reform. The First Step Act of 2018 is the most important criminal justice reform law in recent years. The new legislation aims to facilitate very punitive prison sentences at the federal level, but only affects federal prisoners, who make up a small but significant portion of US prisons and prisoners.
Making friends with someone in prison can change attitudes and alleviate suffering. Many prisoners have never used a smartphone, tablet or computer, but modern digital society cannot function without them. Most prisoners will be released in the foreign digital world, a world that has changed rapidly over the years they spent “inside,” and the prison system does little to prepare them. Could you help the prison criminal understand the new world in which we live?
Life without friends in society as a whole can be lonely, and in prison – unbearable. This can bring some dignity to the life of a prisoner behind bars when they hear his name on a “mail call.” A letter from family, friends, or new penpals strengthens the prisoner’s connection with the outside world and restores their self-esteem.
He who opens a school door, closes a prison. – Victor Hugo
