Of Scams and Such

I dag fikk jeg et nytt brev fra L, som jeg allerede har lagt ut noen ord fra, her på bloggen. Denne gangen lå det med et innlegg hvor han skriver om hva en burde være obs på når det kommer til det å skrive til noen i fengsel.

Of Scams and Such

I wrote in my last blog that it is an honourable thing to write people that are in prison. I truly believe this. You in the “free world” have the key to helping people in here find their way to being good people. However this does not mean that your good-heartedness will not be abused by the unscrupulous. I am a prisoner and it may be against the “prison code” to say so, but I would say that most prisoners would use someone badly if given the chance. This is not to discourage anyone from reaching out. I just want each of you to go in without blinders. With that in mind, I am going to tell you about some of the more common prison scams.

You are writing “John”, he tells you that he needs some money to pay so and so or they are going to hurt him. He is even willing to get so and so on the phone or to write to you (maybe, maybe not). This is a classic scam. If someone is in danger, the unit should be notified. Two reasons, if it is true, then a payment of money will only delay the inevitable or it will have to be paid again. If it is false, then this person is not your friend and should be reported.

You are writing “Phillip” and he says he needs funds for a class that he wants to take. He asks that you send him the money as they must take it out of his inmate account in order to pay for it. If you want to help someone in this way, I am all for it. But play it safe, find out where the person will be attending school. Call the unit and ask about the classes that cost funds and pay them to the school itself. Tell the person that you will “not” send the money directly to him. If he wants you to pay for the class then you will pay the school. Do not ever send anyone money like this.

You are writing “Daniel” and he asks you to send him some stationery (envelopes and paper and stuff like that). More than he could use to write to you in two years. Stationery is a commodity in here and can be sold in the prison black market for money. I would recommend that if you did send someone stationery, send what he would need to write to you for a few months.

These are few of the scams that inmates might use or something very similar. The thing is that it is noble to want to help someone. It should not be discouraged. However, each of you should understand that we, as prisoners, must be protected from ourselves at times. The best way to do that is to insure that you, our prospective victims, are educated.

My advice to any of you is this: If an inmate asks you or anything that will involve money, say no. It should be you who offer these things. But if you are interested in helping an inmate financially, ask questions investigate. Don’t take an inmate’s word for it.

Peace