When a prison inmate spends their hard-earned money for a pen pal profile, it should be considered an investment -- into their lives, their happiness, and their future. But what actually makes a profile good or bad? In this episode, Big Steve and Daisy share proven tips and techniques to help incarcerated men and women write a profile that will catch a reader's attention and get results. The tips shared in this episode could make all the difference between a profile that gets zero responses (or hits, as they're called) or a profile that gets dozens of letters, emails, and messages each week.

If you're locked up and listening to this episode from the comfort of your cell (on your tablet), we hope you'll take these suggestions to heart and start writing more successful profiles today. And for those in the free world who know someone in prison, we hope you'll take notes, and share this valuable information with them. You could even play the podcast for them over the phone, and let them take it all in!

PenPals.Buzz office manager, Daisy, has typed and edited thousands of prison pen pal profiles from the PenPals.Buzz corporate headquarters in Anderson, CA. She knows what works, and more important, she knows what doesn't work. You'll hear several real examples, from actual profiles on our website, on what NOT to write and why. (Spoiler alert: It's never a good idea to upload a picture of yourself flipping off the camera -- at least not if you actually expect someone will want to be your pen pal!).

Jimmy Tench, convicted of murdering his mother, Mary Tench, and sentenced to Death Row in Ohio, recently appeared on Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks (Season 2, Episode 4: He Murdered My Mother). Now, Jimmy (or James Tench, as he's listed in the Ohio DOC) speaks to us from a telephone in his prison cell. During the interview, he goes into more depth about how he was portrayed on Evil Lives Here and mentions several topics which weren't discussed on the TV show, such as his negative experiences with his attorneys, what positive things he has gained from his time on Death Row, and what it was like growing up with what he says was an abusive, alcoholic father.

Even though there were 1,000 pieces of evidence used against him at the trial, including Mary Tench's blood on the shoes found in his bedroom, and a video of him buying duct tape just before the murder, Jimmy proclaims his innocence, and suggests that he knows who the real killer was. We ask him what he'd like to say to the killer; his answer may surprise you. He also discusses his childhood, his hobbies prior to his arrest, his relationship with his girlfriend at the time of the murder, and why he thinks his sister, Jennifer Swain, turned on him.

While he admits no involvement in the murder, there is one piece of the interview that our producers found chilling. When Big Steve asked Jimmy how he felt about the death penalty prior to his arrest, he replied, "if someone was convicted of what I did" (emphasis added) that he would be in favor of a death sentence for him. Was this just a slip of the tongue? Perhaps.

Jimmy Tench then challenges some misconceptions about what life is like on death row. For instance, who would have thought that a death row inmate gets 8 hours a day outside of his cell? Time to play basketball, softball, or walk to the chow hall? Who would have thought they would have their own TVs? The idea of someone "rotting away on death row" seems far from the truth (at least at Ross Correctional in Chillicothe, Ohio).

Finally, we speak with him about his involvement with pen pals and his profile on PenPals.Buzz. He shares his contact information and invites anyone, male or female, to write him. His full profile is posted at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/james-tench/

On the evening of July 17, 2024, Bianca, from the UK, was browsing inmate profiles on PenPals.Buzz and was attracted to Armon Irons, an American prisoner with tattooed hands. Minutes later, she sent him this email:

Good evening Armon, Sending you lots of love from across the pond. Loved your profile. Never done this before. I am a virgin! If you would like me to write to you I can. Anyhow, I will keep this short and sweet like me! Tally Ho Captain.

At the time, nobody would have guessed that those 47 words sent via a prison pen pal website would, less than eight months later, lead to one of the greatest love stories of all time. In this heartfelt episode, Big Steve speaks candidly with Bianca as she tells her story of strength, passion, love, and determination, all with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor...or shall we say, humour?

Hear about the letters, the emails, the phone calls, the proposal, the wedding, and even what her 14-year-old daughter thought of mommy falling in love with a prisoner. Picture Love During Lockup meets Love After Lockup meets 90 Day Fiancé, all in one exciting 45-minute episode. This is reality programming at its best!

The Prison Pen Pal Podcast explores all aspects of prison inmates and their pen pals. Thinking of writing a prisoner? Already have a loved one who is incarcerated? Curious about why someone would write a letter to an inmate? Or, maybe you just want to learn about an entirely new way of making friends. You'll hear from the host, Big Steve, as he helps to humanize inmates and demonstrates the value in writing a pen pal. This is true crime at its best. Enjoy our two-minute trailer describing this groundbreaking podcast.

St. Peter, Minnesota boasts a plethora of sights: a beautiful arboretum, a Veteran's Memorial, the Paddlefish Brewing Company (with 12 homemade beers on tap) and last but not least, the prison artist known as Alfson. This artist, whose real name is Benjamin Alverson, can't really be considered a prison artist, as he is technically not in prison. He's been held captive in a Civil Commitment Facility (a prison disguised as a mental health hospital to get around due process laws) in St. Peter, for well over a decade. This place is a real dark stain on the community, yet Alfson copes with his captivity with incredible grace and a positive spirit. In this episode, we interview Benjamin Alverson by telephone and dig deep into his life -- his childhood, his upbringing, his family, his spirituality, his love of pets, his hobbies, and of course his artwork. What does he create? How does he create it? What is he allowed (or not allowed to buy)? Is he allowed to sell his pieces? Alfson is a PenPals.Buzz member, and in addition to sharing his artwork with the world, would love to make some new pen pals and friends. So download, stream, press play, whatever you do -- just listen to this episode and learn more about this fascinating man.

For over 16 years, Andrew, a real-life 40-year-old virgin, has been sending money to male inmates, hoping to find love. We applaud him for being brave enough to share his story on the podcast. Hear how much money he has sent to prison inmates, why he feels he does what he does, how he deals with the heartbreak, and other personal details of his life story.

Then, we speak via prison telephone with Kevin, author Inmate Intentions: The Truth About Inmate Scams and Prison Hustles. Kevin used to be a scammer from behind bars, but once he met his wife on a pen pal site, he decided to change his ways. Feeling bad about all the women he took advantage of in the past, he promises to atone for his ways and help others learn the red flags of inmate manipulation. Learn more about his miraculous transformation and hear what he feels is the biggest red flag to watch for when you're involved with a prison pen pal.

"From money requests to fake emergencies, inmates use calculated tactics to get financial support. Learn how these scams work and how to protect yourself from being exploited. Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late. Many people don’t realize they’re being manipulated until they’ve already lost money and trust. This book gives you the tools to stay ahead, recognize the signs, and make informed decisions."

Last but certainly not least, we'll hear the clinical perspective on why inmates seek free-world pen pals, and why people on the streets so willingly send money to inmates. Kesley Rogers, a licensed professional counselor from Tennessee, actually worked as a Mental Health Technician at a state prison. She has years of experience in her field, and a degree in Forensic Psychology. Learn more about Kesley at Denney-Counseling.com.

Our hope, after hearing this episode, is that our listeners will be better prepared when entering a pen pal friendship or relationship. We hope people will understand that some (but not all) inmates are manipulative. And we hope, as Kesley Rogers would suggest, that we all start looking for our own "Why?" Perhaps then, and only then, will things start to make sense.

In the early morning hours of May 1, 2019, Paris Siripavaket (also known as Sirii) was involved in a traffic accident that would send her to prison for six years. Paris, a self-proclaimed "suburban cat mom," had worked a professional job in sales and had no clue what to do when she first walked into her Ohio prison. She wasn't even sure the proper way to make her prison bed. Paris had to figure it out, and fast!

Since 2021, she's been busy with myriad artistic and writing projects. But when we heard about her newest accomplishment, a prison cookbook that she just released last month, we knew we had to interview her for the Prison Pen Pal Podcast.

This "prison cookbook" is so much more. In addition to over 50 mouth-watering recipes (using prison commissary items) for things like Tortilla Soup, Pad Thai, Lasagna Rolls, and even Tiramisu, Microwave Manifesto is packed with short philosophical essays, writing prompts, and even advice for how to properly close a potato chip bag in prison (something we should all learn). After reading Microwave Manifesto, you'll realize that cooking can be nourishing both physically and spiritually.

More than a cookbook; this is Food and Philosophy Behind Bars. And on today's episode, Big Steve interviews Paris Siripavaket, the book's author. She discusses her life before and after her prison sentence, what inspired her to create this book, her favorite recipes, thoughts about the future, and her belief that it's essential to always look on the bright side and to see the opportunities in every challenge.

Microwave Manifesto is great for all incarcerated people, but we believe it could be beneficial for friends and family of those in jail or prison, too. It can help facilitate connection and stronger emotional bonds through the recipes, the writing prompts, and the inspirational essays. Order Today!

Learn More About Sirii

When most people hear that someone has proactively decided to write, befriend, or even date a prison inmate, they think it's weird, bizarre, or unhealthy. So many people, not accustomed to the prison pen pal world, will ask, "Why would you write an inmate? Why not find a friend (or partner) who ISN'T incarcerated?" This same question recently came up at one of Big Steve's therapy sessions. Why would someone proactively choose to look for an inmate friend, instead of someone not incarcerated.

After a lot of thinking and a little research, we now know the answer: Connection. Or a complete lack of connection, as the case may be. When men and women feel disconnected from one another in the free world (thanks in large part to technology) they turn to someone who may be more inclined to listen, more inclined to pay attention -- a captive audience, so to speak. Much like Big Steve's therapist is required to listen to his stories (because he's getting paid) so, too, is a prisoner more inclined to pay attention to your problems.

In this episode, we discuss some of the research that has helped lead us to this conclusion. We learn about how people are spending much less time out of the house, and how technology is the biggest problem in so many marriages today. People don't feel heard. Many people don't even know how to connect verbally anymore. This episode will open your eyes and make you reconsider how close you truly are to your friends and loved ones.

We interview two inmates, both of whom are members of PenPals.Buzz and are looking for connections of their own. Marlon Mount, a writer and musician, is locked in a Washington State facility where he sits in his pod and waits for people to call him. (Just make sure you know the secret password). Marlon, who discovered PenPals.Buzz through a radio show called Sunday Night Slow Jams, shares his story, his hopes, and his dreams on the podcast.

Later, we talk with Ikemefuna Chukwurah, a Maryland inmate who has served over 22 years in prison. A fitness expert, Mr. Chukwurah hopes to one day host a podcast of his own and help educate today's youth on how NOT to end up like he did. This man is a testament to how one can successfully make changes while locked up, and how a positive mindset can overcome almost any pitfall in life.

We hope you enjoy our second episode of 2025.

62-year-old Mark Huber is serving a lengthy sentence in Idaho for sex crimes he claims he didn't commit. "I am not freaking guilty," he loudly proclaims early on in this episode. According to Huber, the DNA used to convict him belonged to a Hispanic female. Then, we head slightly northwest to Aberdeen, Washington, where PenPals.Buzz member Rich Parenteau, convicted of murdering his mother and stepfather with an axe, describes in detail how he was framed by the CIA. Both men provide a wealth of evidence to support their claims. But are either of them telling the truth? You be the judge.

This holiday season, we celebrate myriad lifelong friendships and relationships which we have helped facilitate between incarcerated individuals and their free-world pen pals. In 2024 alone, PenPals.Buzz helped generate hundreds of long-term friendships and relationships, several engagements, and at least three marriages! On this final episode of the year, we interview Patrick and Melissa Cloud, who met right here on PenPals.Buzz. Learn about their journey and discover how a nurse from South Dakota found happiness with a prison inmate in Washington state. We wish them all the best for 2025 and beyond.

Later in the episode, we talk with PenPals.Buzz member Zachary (Zac) Lopez. Zac, a 24-year-old Christian incarcerated in Idaho, shares with us what Christmas is like in prison. Learn about how the holiday affects prisoners' emotions in both good and bad ways. Hear what kind of special meal awaits them in the chow hall. And learn about holidays in Zac's unit bring people together around two communal microwaves, menudo, and the occasional tamale feast.