Friends in Prison

Can a soccer mom become friends with a guy with face tattoos?

Music courtesy of JulisH

Can a person really change?  Can a person guilty of murder really change? Juan had a change of heart; can he maintain that change even if it's dangerous to get out of a gang? Can he maintain that change once he's released from prison? What's the secret? What changed Juan's heart?

OH! and sorry for getting teary eyed!

Music courtesy of JulisH

Clare updates her friends no how she faired through the hurricane (spoiler alert -she's fine). An update after reaching out to 10 new penpals. Why one of Clare's friends is in solitary confinement. A news story about a sexual offender and how Clare feels about coresponding with people on the sexual offenders' registry.

Music courtesy of JulisH

There are discussions in this episode of self-harm/ suicide and sexual violence and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Music courtesy of JulisH

Let's peruse profiles on penpal websites!

music courtesy of JulisH

How could a person as intelligent, kind, respectful and friendly as Juan end up in prison? If we can understand why he got mixed up with a gang and a life of crime, maybe we can figure out how to keep him out of the gang and thug life when he's released from prison.

Music courtesy of JulisH

Should Clare tell her pen-pals that she cannot share any financial gifts with them? Or can she limit her gifts to $10/year? Or can she grow a backbone and tell a specific pen-pal, "no, I can't send you anything more."

Music courtesy of JulisH

Juan's parole is approved after 28 years in prison... what's next for Juan? What's next for Clare? Several of her pen pals will be released from prison before 2023. How can she support them as they head home? Will she find new friends in prison? You can find your own friends in prison at these sites; penacon.com, inmate-connection.com, wireofhope.com, friends4prisoners.com, meet-an-inmate.com, and donotpay.com.

music courtesy of JulisH

One of Clare's penpal's is released from prison, another is packing to go to a halfway house soon. One penpal, Daniel, is going before the parole board soon and another, Val, is hopeful she'll figure out how to home sooner than 17 years from now.

Music courtesy of JulisH

What do you do when a penpal asks for money? What do you do when a penpal sends YOU money? How much money is a reasonable gift for a birthday?

Music courtesy of JuliusH