John,

This month is National Card and Letter Writing Month, and to mark the occasion, we wanted to share this guide on how to write to someone who is incarcerated.

For folks who are incarcerated, letters are sometimes their only connection to the outside world — so letter writing and receiving can be a vital source of hope and optimism. Exchanging letters with incarcerated people can offer a unique insight into the criminal legal system and is an opportunity to learn about different perspectives and life experiences for both the sender and the recipient.

But there are a few important things to keep in mind when writing a letter to an incarcerated person to make sure it actually reaches them and is a mutually respectful, meaningful exchange.

With that in mind, please take a moment today to read through our guide on how to write letters to someone who is currently incarcerated — you could really make someone’s day with a few kind words.

Thank you, and happy writing!

— The Innocence Project Team