ADOPT A PRISONER
If you’re active in a group or campaign why not choose one or two prisoners
to consistently support. Pass cards round meetings, send useful stuff, knock
up a flyposter and get their case some publicity if they could use it, get in
touch with the prisoner’s support group if there is one. Of course you
can take this on as an individual, too.
WRITING TO PRISONERS/SENDING THINGS
Prison is isolation, so contact with the outside world, letting a prisoner know
s/he is not forgotten, helps break this down. Sometimes just a friendly card
can boost their morale. Writing for the first time to a complete stranger can
be awkward. A card with some well wishes, a bit about who you are and asking
what you can do to help is often enough. Don’t expect prisoners to write
back. Sometimes, the number of letters they can receive/write is restricted,
or they just might not be very good a writing back. To help, include a couple
of stamps or, if writing abroad, International Reply Coupons (IRC’s) that
you can get from any post office. Write on clean paper and don’t re-use
envelopes. Remember a return address, also on the envelope. Ask what the prisoner
can have sent to them, as this varies from prison to prison. Books and pamphlets
usually have to be sent from a recognised distributor/bookshop/publisher (ask
at a friendly bookshop). Tapes, videos, writing pads, zines, toiletries and
postal orders are some of the things you might be able to send. Food just gets
eaten by screws.
Remember that all letters are opened and looked through so don’t write
stuff that could endanger anyone – this doesn’t mean you should be
over paranoid and write one meaningless comment on the weather after the other.
Be prepared to share a bit of your life to brighten up someone’s on the
inside.
e.g.
We received a letter from Herman Wallace, after sending him a card from the
group.
He says-
" It is quite essential that I take out a moment to express my gratitude
to all the wonderful folk who sent me so much love & support in this one
card. I am really touched by the intensity of energy from this card and I just
had to stand up from my seat and smile. Thankyou. Right now, in spite of my
repressive condition you guys have made me feel GREAT!"
PROTEST LETTERS
Petitioning Tony Blair asking him to stop being a capitalist bastard might well
be futile. But writing letters to relevant places requesting something realistic
such as an appeal, transfer, vegan food etc on behalf of a prisoner can help
improve their chances. Prisoners who seem to be ‘in the public eye’
do tend to be treated better.
OTHER SUPPORT
There is so much more than can be done, up to you and your imagination and your
contact with a prisoner, such as: publicity for the case, visits, financial
support, pickets of prisons…
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