This project is much about the impact of penpal relationships. As you learned, Caren co-ordinates a penpal network that grew within and beyond Western Illinois Correctional Center. She is actively seeking outside penpals to pair with people inside. You can contact her and get connected at holmes.caren@gmail.com. You can also connect with penpals through Abolition Apostles, Black and Pink, and Survived and Punished (S&P), among other places.

If you do start writing to someone, please read these indispensable guides to penpal relationships from Support Ho(s)e and S&P. Penpal relationships are often characterized by a massive power imbalance between the outside penpal and the inside penpal. These guides lay out ethics and best practices for navigating these (sometimes intense and difficult) dynamics.

I think the absolute best way to do support work and build relationships sustainably is to do so with friends. So consider sharing this with your friends and writing to people together! As Mariame Kaba says, everything worthwhile is done with other people.