Pen friend with chutzpah, anyone?

I had a letter yesterday from a man in Indiana prison. He'd been talking to an ex-death row correspondent of mine (who dumped me some time ago) and thought I might like someone else (ie him) to write to.

He's in prison because he kidnapped two deputy sheriffs, "took their guns and money and car and badges, left them handcuffed to a tree and escaped". I can (he tells me proudly) Google him. He "caused quite a fiasco and made all the headlines and world and local news". I'm afraid I  had to admire his cheek. I bet those sheriffs felt stupid.

I did Google him, and he has a long string of convictions. He seems a sanguine kind of fellow, and his letter was hilarious. I shan't be writing to him regularly as I have another more deserving correspondent (I shall of course let him know of my decision).

 He "doesn't get much mail". Any takers?

Texas death row (again)

Since some of my followers have shown interest (thank you), I would just like to update you on the conditions on Texas death row. It is now apparent that the inmates are suffering the following inhumane treatment:

... taking away wheelchairs from those who cannot walk, denying mental and physical health care, being held in solitary confinement for over ten years without any legal justification based on their conduct, dangerously unsafe living conditions, inadequate nutrition, inadequate exercise, denial of adequate access to telephones, destruction and loss of necessary legal documents, denial of religious freedom, denial of fair administrative process, failure to timely deliver mail including legal correspondence, and other abuses...


I am sure that this is true, and explains in part why my own correspondent hasn't written to me for some weeks (mail going both in and out of the prison is regularly delayed). Yet again, may I appeal to anyone who is interested to think of writing to one of these men? It need take no more than about twenty minutes every couple of weeks. For many, this is their only contact with the outside world. My own penfriend has been dropped by all of his family, including his twin brother.

Do email me if you'd like further details, or I am happy to speak on the phone.

(I promise a nice, jolly post next time!)