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Below is a list of organizations that provide pen pal services.
Please note a number of these sites require someone on the outside to submit information. Unfortunately, the New York Public Library is unable to do this on behalf of our patrons.
Also note that many pen pal sites are proprietary, meaning they'd like to make money off of listing a person's information, without guaranteeing a pen pal in return. Furthermore, many pen pal organizations are staffed by volunteers, and may be slow in responding to letters.
Many of the services listed here are based in New York or the tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT). For additional information on pen pal programs nationwide, please visit the guide: Resources for Writing to Incarcerated People by Heather Mytelka (note it has not been updated since 2022).
For LGBTQI+ People
For LGBTQI+ People
General Inquiries: 2406 Fowler Avenue, Suite 316, Omaha, NE 68111
Inside Member Mailing Address: 6223 Maple Street, #4600, Omaha, NE 68104
From the website: To request that a newsletter be sent to someone inside and to sign them up for our PenPal program, please fill out the online form to the best of your ability. We will reach out if we have any additional questions, and will add them to the distribution list. Please specify if interested in only one program. Black & Pink’s resources are not discreet. People who receive our monthly newsletter are receiving something that is very clearly LGBTQ and HIV focused. Our newsletter also includes political material that aligns with our values, including content that challenges all systems of oppression. Please be sure your loved one, client, or friend wants to be put on our list before adding them.
Prisoner Correspondence Project
QPIRG Concordia c/o Concordia University
1455 de Maisonneuve Ouest
Montreal QC H3G 1M8 CANADA
From the website: The Prisoner Correspondence Project is a solidarity project for gay, lesbian, transgender, gendervariant, two-spirit, intersex, bisexual and queer incarcerated people in Canada and the United States, linking them with people a part of these same communities outside of prison.
For Profit
For Profit
(East Coast) PO Box 7717, Jacksonville, FL 32238
(West Coast) 2000 Vassar St. #10731, Reno, NV 89510
From the website: You fill out the brochure to get your information listed on the website.
PO Box 83897, Los Angeles, CA 90083
From the website: Write to request an application form, with pricing information.
PO Box 10, Edgewater, FL 32132-0010
From the website: Write to receive a brochure, including pricing information.
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