How to write a letter to a prisoner if you are not in Russia? Guide for those who are not native Russian speakers
❓ Is it possible to write a letter in English?
The new rules of procedure in Russian prisons allow correspondence in any language, but, unfortunately, this does not work in practice. Most often, such letters are simply not allowed through, and if they are, many prisoners will not be able to read them. Even if on the outside a person spoke English, then in prison this skill is lost, because there is no practice.
You can ask your friends to translate your letter or use online translators. Automatic translations are not very good, but your support for the prisoner will be more important than the literacy of the letter itself.
To make it easier to translate the answer to your letter into English, ask the recipient to write it in block letters.
❓ What to write about in a letter?
In a cell where the only entertainment available is talking to fellow inmates, books, letters, and the occasional TV, it's interesting to read just about anything.
In the first letter, you should introduce yourself, tell about yourself and your hobbies, and in response ask about the interests of the prisoner, so it will be easier for you to find common topics for conversation. Tell about the latest news, your pets, places to walk and travel. You can also describe the country where you live and its cultural practices.
In prison, everything that is outside of it will be interesting.
❓ What exactly should not be written?
Do not discuss in correspondence the materials of the case and the facts related to them. This may harm your recipient, any additional information about the “crime” may add to the charge.
At present, everything is not clear with the discussion of the war in correspondence, in some institutions such letters are easily passed, in some they become a problem for prisoners, or the censor simply does not pass them on.
❓ How does censorship work?
General censorship rules for pre-trial detention centers and colonies do not exist at all. Not to miss the letter may be due to the internal rules of the institution or simply the mood of the censor. The only thing left to do here is to try. To increase your chances of getting censored, don't use swear words or strong language.
❓ How to send an email and get a response?
You can send a letter by regular mail if your country of residence has not restricted postal communication with Russia. It is worth putting paper and a spare envelope into the envelope. Also, the prisoner will need postage stamps to answer, but they can only be bought in Russia. Often they are passed on by relatives or friends.
The letter can also be sent online through the volunteer resource RosUznik. It's easier and free, and the answer will come to your email in a scanned form. RosUznik project exists only on donations, you can find more information on how to support the project on their website.
Support the prisoners in any way you can.
People shouldn't be in prisons, and prisons shouldn't exist.
