As a visiting minister in years past at the Southern Michigan State
Prison, I was often in touch with the late Don Young who was the
Recreation Officer, and I learned that inmates are the absolutely most
ingenious people when it comes to scamming people on the outside.

I don't want to prejudge each and every inmate but I'd like to caution
you that you may become in a situation that could turn out to be very
unpleasant for you if you become involved with an inmate without going
through the proper channels and getting the proper verifications and
authority to do so.

I could regale you with stories of people who, while trying to be
helpful Good Samaritans, wound up with problems that were much more
than they ever bargained for.

Let me suggest that before you establish any contact with an inmate
with whom you are not directly connected as far as family status that
you contact the authorities at the institution and thoroughly identify
yourself and what your intentions are regarding the inmate.  From
personal observation, I can tell you, it's very easy to be drawn into
trouble and extremely difficult and often very costly to get out of it.

There is a correct way to proceed and it is through the prison
officials, not direct contact unless, as may be the case, you are
already known by the authorities to be connected to the inmate.

Hal Davis

P.S.:  Jody and Robbie, this is extremely important as prisoner
scamming is rife to day throughout the penal system and there is little
precautionary action being taken by the authorities until there is a
case opened and it may be a very unpleasant surprise to find yourself
being called into court to answer why you are involved in something
illegal.

 [ Thanks, Hal.  We're aware of those ugly possibilities, and will
 [ proceed as you suggest.  Other subscribers wrote to express concern
 [ about e-mail entering the prison; that won't happen because written
 [ communications must be via U.S. Mail.  Certainly the prison author-
 [ ities must approve a project like this.  Let's wait and see what
 [ Matthew Caulfield reports.  -- Robbie