REFERENCE

See what customers are saying.

Is that the girl's real name, information and picture.

Yes, the prisons would not let them mail out the application with a name on it other that their own. We do everything in our power to insure the accuracy of our information, and make every attempt to insure that the ladies on our service are there for the right reason.

Here are the things I do in order to check them out:

• I require the picture they send is signed and dated on the back
• A number of states require that an officer initial and date the back of the envelope on the seal
• I return the picture with a note that they have been added to the website

These 3 tactics help to allow the prison to catch those who send bad information.

Futher ways:

• I randomly call my customers to do spot checks, during these conversations I am doing a quality control check. Towards the end I direct the conversation around to the types of responses they received form the ladies and how the relationship is progressing. At this point most of the men have questions, things they have wondered about and never asked. It is at this stage when I find out the troubles.
• If I think there is a problem I will pull a list of the customers who have requested the ladies address and start calling them - looking for a problem - when I find one I take the proper steps.

Proper Steps: These could include any combination of the following

• Contact the lady and ask for an explanation
• Remove the ladies from the site
• Notify all requesters of the ladies address that there may be a problem
• Contact the prison - this is done only in the worse cases

Why are these people in prison?

I have no way of knowing. I never asked because it is considered to be a wrong question until after you get to know someone. Remember if you start to get serious about someone, the court records are public information and you can get a copy of the complete trail transcript.

Do these girls have internet access?

No, as the ads say the prisoners don't have web access. They have either used snail mail to send information to me and I placed them on the web or a friend or loved one has seen my site and used the form to add them to the site.

What can I send in my letter?

Ever prison is different, but a postal money order and/or a picture is OK. Some places allow lots of different things so it is better to ask the prisoner to send you a list of things that are possible and the requirements. Personally I believe it is better to not send them anything (other than a picture) until after you have exchanged a few letters.

Can the prisoners make phone calls?

Yes, however all calls are collect only, and can be monitored by the prison. Normally the calls are limited to a couple times a week and 15 to 20 minutes only. Each prison has its own rules! These rules could limit who they call and how often.

Visiting

Yes, visiting is possible and each prison has it's own set of rules, ask the lady for a form to fill out to request approval. In some areas all that is needed is the lady adds you to her list, there could be restrictions as to how often someone could be added, in others you could have to take the form to your local police station and have them fill out information about you and add your thumbprint to the document.

Can a prisoner relocate upon release?

Yes, however there is a method that must be followed. Some prisoners will have a probationary period left upon their release and must apply for a transfer before they leave prison. They must make a request to relocated to an area other than their home of record 60 to 90 days before their release. They must have a sponsor in the area they wish to transfer to and they must have a place to live. The local probation department must come and interview the sponsor and check out the place to live. This is all fairly routine and common place.

SUGGESTIONS ABOUT 1st LETTER

I suggest you write the same letter to a number of women. I think your first letter should be about yourself and questions you want to know about the lady. DO NOT put anything in your letter. Each prison has different things that are allowed.

I suggest you ask in your 1st letter what the rules are concerning what you can send and how to send it.

Money

Money is a sticky subject - understand these ladies work 30 to 40 hours a week for about 3 to 5 dollars. While the prison provides everything, consider, everything is the cheapest item possible, there is no shampoo or conditioner, or brushes, deoderant, or most of the items you would consider standard. The food is substandard and somedays you can't even eat, it is so bad.

But I urge you to be careful - if you hear veriations of the following themes:

• I need to pay for a GED class to get 30 days knocked off my sentence
• I need to pay restitution or court cost to get out early
• I need money for a plane ticket to come to you
• Send money or items to someone else for me

It is true in a lot of states that passing the GED earns the lady a reduction in her time. But I know of no state that charges the prisoners. In a lot of cases a lady might be required to go to a restitution center after completeing her sentence - (it operates like work release). While there the ladies would be required to get a job - pay for housing at the center - establish a savings account, and pay off the restitution.

I AM GETTING SERIOUS - HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEM

When a person is found or pleads guilty the judge orders what is called a presentence investigation, and sets another court date called the sentencing hearing. This presentence investigation is part of the sentencing transcript. This record is part of public record and available to anyone. You will however, need to know the county, month and year of the conviction. It is possible to get this information from the prison itself.

I would suggest calling during normal business hours and asking to speak with the records officer or clerk.
A couple suggestions about this phone call:

• Please think about what you are going to say before you call
• Keep the call as short as possible
• Be polite
• Have the ladies information ready - full name and #
• Do not ask questions such as what sort of person is she, are other men writing her, this type of question calls for a personal observation and if you get an answer it is only that persons feelings and since you do not know that person you can not consider the source.

It is important to understand these people work in the corrections industry and their attitudes are colored by the huge mass and it becomes easy to lump them all into a group. Keep in mind each lady is different the worse can be turned around by the sobering effect of a couple years in prison.

A personal note:

I have dealt with a number of these centers and have hired ladies from a local one. I believe that the biggest reason for returning to prison is a result of lack of planning and support of the newly released. Please consider just a few of the rules involved. What your probation officer will say:

• Get a job
• Get a place to live
• Stay out of trouble
• Go to AA or NA - weekly
• Come back and see me every week
• Don't associate with known felons or people actively involved in crime
• I will come to check out your home
• I will come to your job

Jobs are easy to find, but you need clothing, transportation, busses are usable but add 2 to 3 hours everyday to your work schedule. Places to live cost at least $500 to $700 and they gave you $100 when you left prison. Stay out of trouble, every lady I have talked to had a burning desire to never go back to where they just left. Going to meetings, as is the come back to see me weekly, falls under the heading of transportation problems - meets are normally at night and never in the same place. I will come to your home and your job and check things out - well think about an official coming to your home or office and what sort of situations it could cause for you.

Add in to all this the fear of going back to your old lifestyle and ending up back inside. The friends you used to have that are still around in your life, friends that never even sent you a letter. This is an extreme example but is more prevalent than you might think. A life of crime eventually leaves you with no one of consquences except your mom.

Consider an alternative:
The last 6 to 12 months of a sentence are done inside a community based enviorment - The cost per day would be less and with a job the ladies could contribute to the expenses of their supervision.

A program could be designed to restrict the activities of the ladies and allow them to earn additional priliveges as they complete certain task - get a job, start a savings account, complete a number of hours of class. Classes could be about work, daily living, computers, and I think every city would have a few people that would be willing to share their knowledge as a volunteer.

Needs like, jobs, transportation, housing, clothing, and guidence could be met. In KY there is a center called Dismass Charities that does a very good job and I know it is available in other areas. But they can not meet the needs of everyone.

Someday I would hope that WBB can involve itself in a program like this in a way better than a monitery contribution or a job or two with an understanding company.

EMAIL - ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS