Gary Graeme Jones
D2
Bang Kwang Central Prison
117 Nonthaburi Road,
Nonthaburi Province 11000
Bangkok Thailand

• 1. Always be polite. Your aim is to help a prisoner, not to relieve your own feelings. Governments don't respond to abusive or condemnatory letters (however well deserved).
• 2. Always write your letters on the basis that the government concerned is open to reason and discussion.
• 3. Show respect for the country's constitution and judicial procedures, and to demonstrate an understanding of current difficulties. This will give more scope to point out ways in which the human rights situation can be improved.
• 4. If you wish to write an appeal, be clear in what you are requesting. You should never make 'demands' on Governments.
• 5. Never use political jargon or profanity. Don't give the impression that you are writing because you are ideologically or politically opposed to the government in question.
• 6. All letters are subject to censorship by authorities so please do not write anything that will offend anyone.

Tips for writing

• In your first letter, tell a little background about yourself - your interests and hobbies, things like that. Avoid sharing too much personal information. Prisoners are happy to hear from you and are looking for words of encouragement. You might respond to something they have written, such as a love for the outdoors or some other area of interest.
• If you don't receive a reply right away, be patient. Mail moves more slowly behind prison walls. These prisoners are anxiously awaiting contact from the outside world. If you don't get an immediate reply, be assured that it is not because they are not trying to communicate with you.
• Be sure both your return and to address are legible. Always print your name and address neatly on the envelope and include it again in the body of the letter in case something happens to the envelope. Put the prisoners' name on each sheet of paper or the back of any photos that you enclose - this ensures that pages won't get lost when the mail is opened.
• Birthdays can be a lonely time. If you don't have time for a lengthy correspondence, remembering a prisoner on this particular day can have a tremendous impact.
• Greeting cards can be a good way to make initial contact. There are so many friendship-type cards available just to say "hello" to the prisoner. This can take the pressure off of you worrying about what to write that first time.
• You might want to include a photograph of yourself so the prisoner has a "face" to put with the name. Obviously, many of the prisoners are forthright in stating they are looking for relationships, but others are simply looking for a friend with whom they can correspond. A photo would be a nice gesture of friendship.
• Do NOT include gifts, information about other inmates or any other unauthorized items. This would create problems for the prisoners. Check with the inmate you are writing to before sending any items. Your letter means more to them than any gift you might want to send them.
• Be open and honest in your correspondence but stay level-headed and always remember that these prisoners are human beings. They are not novelty toys. They are people and should be treated with respect and courtesy regardless of what they are incarcerated for.