I was incensed to read that once more ( Ripper: I should be free. Daily Mail Saturday 5^th Feb 2005 ) people or more specifically women who write to prisoners, are depicted as sad lonely women who are looking for relationships with 'dangerous' men.

 I am sure that applies to some women, but for the most part those who are pen friends to prisoners especially those on Death Row in different countries are simply trying to bring a some reverence for life and compassion to a terrible situation.

The inmates original crime can never be discounted, but those of us who write, are writing to the person they have become since that terrible event. In doing so, we learn to be less judgmental and more open in our relationships with those around us.

If anyone cares to look beyond the obvious they can visit www.deathrowspeaks.info/.  Perhaps the Daily mail would like to take a real look at what prisoners have to say in their letters and what prompts ordinary men and women to write to them. It doesn't make sensational reading, but it does promote, as the Life Circle Coalition, states "working to influence a more just and compassionate world".

Yours sincerely,

C.J. Hasan (Mrs)

Bahrain . Arabian Gulf .  

Please also read Christine's column on writing with death row inmates!