🔵 By Son Tran. Photo by lauragrafie.
A prisoner’s daily life is limited and restricted by prison rules and policies. In fact, over the years, prison regulations have became more oppressive for prisoners, especially when it relates to inmate correspondence. Upon my incarceration I discovered the necessity for prisoners to keep close ties with loved ones and to maintain outside support. I recognized the correlations between an inmate that received letters, and the positive behavioral changes, versus an inmate who does not have outside support and continues to misbehave. My own experiences with letter writing confirmed my observation to be true. Despite my years of incarceration I cannot deny how uplifting my spirit became upon receiving letters from friends and family. Their letters alwas provide me with hope, srength, and love, but more importantly, they reminded me that I am not forgotten behind these walls. Letter writing also helped me overcome manye adversities in prison and has become a positive outlet for me. In essence, I was able to endure this regative place with apositiv mindset to excel, while others only fell deeper into the darkness around them. Ultimately, letter writing became my lifeline and kept me around when the ocean of life tried to swallow and drown me.
Correspondence shaped my life in many unexpected ways. Though I am unable to recall who wrote that first letter to me, I can recall my feelings upon receiving that unexpected letter. My initial reactions of shock and surprise were quickly overwhelmed by curiosity that a stranger wrote me. Despite my hesitance, I was intrigued to respond. This initial letter changed my whole life in a meaningful way. Writing letters liberated my mind, I was no longer trapped in prison. Instead, I was able to discover another world beyond these merciless walls.
Through letters my eyes opened to another world. In letters, I found peace and tranquility to cope against the prison chaos, and I was able to befriend amazing people from all around the world. Friendships were built and they helped shape my life today by engaging with others, my spirit and mind broke the chains of enslavement. Each letter I received, I was reminded that I may be in prison, but I do not need to serve time alone. In letters, I discovered the unknown beauty of life between those lines where impossibilities became possible. After years of correspondence, it still brings me joy and shapes my life in unimaginable ways.