Advice for writing to Death Row inmates at Xmas

Here are a few things that I usually remind people who are writing to death row inmates of at this time of year:

1) Don't forget the fact that any mail will be slowed up and the usual expression is POST EARLY FOR XMAS.
2) DO NOT send any padded Christmas cards. A bog standard card is what is allowed in. Otherwise it will be returned to you.
3) Money. Don't let the generosity of the forthcoming season get to you and remember that sometimes any money may not be used for postage and could end up going up in smoke, and I don't mean of the cigarette type!
4) If you are thinking of sending money, your inmate will be able to tell you the arrangements for their prison. The safest bet though is an American Express cheque. (I would appreciate feed back as to any arrangements that different prisons have).

news archive