IN THE U.S two million people are in prison, it is the country in the world that has the most inmates. It is common for lifers to lose contact with friends and family after sentencing. Many of them long for fellowship and contact with the outside world, therefore the phenomenon “Prison Penpal”, ie prison correspondents, is very common. On various pages on the internet, the inmates can advertise for someone to write with.
Cecilia Ekman has been writing for five years with Henry, who is serving a life sentence for murder, in Texas. Cecilia’s friend Madde also has a pen pal in Texas. But something that at first just seems to be exciting, will soon also be a big responsibility.
– Pretty quickly it dawned on me what responsibility it was. He described it as sitting and waiting for my letters while I could forget that he existed. It felt so heavenly hard, says Madde.
Genni from Texas has for more than 15 years engaged in inmates. When her own son was sentenced to life, she began writing letters to and visiting several of those he was with.
– I get so much back from those I visit. I have learned that a person is not his actions, those who are inside still have a value, despite the crimes they have committed.
Henry is actually called something else.
The program was made in 2018.
Of Cecilia Ekman
Producer Lotta Malmstedt
Slutmix Mattias Miselli
Music Lars Ekman
Readings in the program: Eskil Krogh Larsson, Lena Birgersdotter, Jens Ericson, Lisa Wall, Tobias Wallin, Jimmie Larsson
Source: ICELAND NEWS