Pen-pal Program

Why a pen-pal program?

During the 2023 election, Whatcom County officials publicized the abhorrent conditions inside current Whatcom County Jail facilities. These conditions are due to decades of intentional neglect from the city and county, and were used as justification to pass a ballot measure collecting funds for a new, larger jail construction known as Proposition-04. This measure passed in November 2023, initiating an increased sales tax in Whatcom County that will be used to attempt to build a massive jail in Ferndale along LaBounty road. However, this new facility is years away and fundamentally can’t grant health or safety for incarcerated people as a system based on punishment and violence. (For more information on Proposition-04 look here!)

In the meantime, the County has no plans to care for those they are continuing to cage in overcrowded, unsanitary, and dangerous conditions. No Whatcom Jails is committed to supporting those inside the current facility, and one way of doing this is a community pen-pal campaign.

Jails function by separating the community emotionally and physically, creating a barrier between those kept inside and those left outside. A central value we hold is that connection with incarcerated people is an act of resistance against the state that aims to disappear them. The communication and relationship-building that comes from consistent letter-writing is a great way to continue bridging this intentional separation.

As Whatcom County officials attempt to begin constructing a larger jail, acting in solidarity with people who are currently incarcerated and building a network of community relationships will remain of utmost importance. A larger facility will only increase the amount of people entangled in the carceral system, further expanding the harms that jails imbue on our community and making resistance even more necessary. 

How does the pairing process work?

We have been working hard to reach out to people currently incarcerated, with priority on those who have been there the longest, as well as those who have contacted us about involvement. We send out introductory letters to those interested, asking about their personal interests and what they want from a penpal before matching them with someone from outside. We also place funds on the commissary accounts of those we reach out to, in order for letter-writing materials (stamps, paper, envelopes, pens) to be purchased from inside the jail.

For pen-pals outside the jail, we ask that everyone attend an orientation session before beginning the writing process. At the orientation we will go over the logistics of letter-writing inside the carceral system, and offer a support system as the pen-pal journey begins! We will ask for any information pen-pals want to share about their personal interests, demographics, goals, or needs while writing so that we can find the best match possible. Following the session, we will match you with a pen-pal inside the jail and add you to a Signal-app group chat with other pen-pal volunteers, where you can offer and receive continued support and ask any questions as they arise!

We aim to match each person inside with two people from outside who have similar interests and wants out of correspondence.If we have more people attending an orientation than we have a writing partner for, we will place you on a waitlist and reach out as soon as a new match becomes available!

What should I know before committing?

It’s helpful to assess our own capacity before we commit to forming relationships in any situation. Incarcerated people have been forced into very vulnerable positions by the state, and it’s important to evaluate and communicate our consistency, as well as think about our motivations before starting a pen-pal exchange.  Check out Black & Pink for more thorough information!

We ask Pen-pals to be upfront in how often they are able to write, as it can be difficult for those inside to receive promises of commitment that aren’t followed through on. Letters don’t have to be long, and communication can be as frequent or sparing as you both agree to commit to. What’s most important is communicating your capacity and following through!

Setting and respecting boundaries is also an important part of communication. Through writing you might hear difficult things about the carceral system, receive flirty or romantic letters, requests for support, and a variety of other things. It’s important to communicate your comfort level, and voice concerns you have respectfully to your penpal. Other pen-pals and facilitators of the program are also always available to reach out to if you need support or people to process with!

Connecting with another person is one of the most precious and meaningful experiences we can have as humans. Carceral punishment is a tool used to reinforce isolation, power structures, and maintain racial capitalism. This pen-pal campaign aims to resist those forces and strengthen connection throughout our community.

How do I attend a pen-pal orientation?

After filling out the pen-pal interest form, we will reach out to you via email when we set our next orientation date. Orientations happen online, lasting about an hour. We will cover logistics, offer support, and collect information to find your best writing match! We currently are offering one orientation a month, and ask that participants attend an orientation before beginning the writing process.

How will I be supported while writing?

It’s important that we feel supported and safe while communicating and building relationships, made even more important when the carceral system is involved. Upon attending an orientation, pen-pals from outside the jail will be added to a group chat on the app Signal. The goal from this is to connect folks with similar values, and create a space where pen-pals are able to offer and receive support as needed, and problem-solve together as things arise!

We also have monthly check-ins where someone from the organizing team of the pen-pal program will message you and see if you have any questions or need any support.

We also are planning regular drop-in in-person writing sessions where pen-pals are welcome to come by to hang out, meet each other, eat food, get questions answered, and write to their pen-pals! We want being a pen-pal to be fun, supportive, and loving experience ❤