Samples of Prisoner Requests

From an inmate requesting a dictionary:

"I have to have my room mate help me with the big words. I need a large print dictionary so I can see them. I have only been reading now for about 21 months. I am 46 years old and when I get out of prison, my son will be 11 years old. And I would love to be able to read and write to my son. So please f you all could see to help me I will be able to help my son when I get home. The dictionary will help learne how to spell big words."

From an inmate requesting books on electrical wiring:

"Myself and other inmate electricians will study every page. I teach both female and male inmates electric & electronics. Several are now working on the streets as electricians."

From an inmate requesting gay literature:

"I am in prison in SC and I am gay. I have been living this lifestyle most of my life and I am happy with my lifestyle. But as you know a lot of people look down on me and the people I hang around especially in SC. I have been looking for someone who could and would send me books, magazines letters or anything dealing with my lifestyle. I don’t have any family left so it is hard to get things like that. ."

From another inmate requesting a dictionary:

"I am a high school graduate and even have a little college but unfortunately I am a terrible speller. Most of my adult life I have relied on programs such as "spell-check" to aid me. Now however I can't even type and must write and because of that I am in dire need of a dictionary. ."

From a prisoner requesting the "We the People" Legal Primer:

"I am requesting a "We The People" Legal Primer package please. Someone had let me read theirs and I had it for at least a week and half now. We only get two envelopes a month and I am stuck on lock up so I can't buy no envelopes even though I don't have no money. I am indigent. But I am using one of the envelopes to receive a package of my own upon my request to you please. I love the things it contains."