Hi all,
I'm in need of some advice...
One of the four prisoners I've written (through JPay) has given me an creepy feeling and I've tried telling him in a very serious but kind way (multiple times) that he as crossed the line. He keeps talking about us as "The best of friends" and that I've "met all the standards" that he desires, he has also asked if I wanted to meet if we were the best of friends (obvoursly I said that I didn't want to discuss meeting up at all). I want to clarify that I've told him many times that I'm only interested in friendship since I'm in a serious relationship. I've told him whenever he has crossed a line with me so that he should know. I've now tried ending the correspondence, don't know if he'll respond, but I have a really wierd feeling that I can't shake off.
I live in Europe, but since I had to reach out the first time through snailmail he has my address which hasn't been an issue for me before (since all the others have been very nice and respectful) but now I feel very..scared honestly.. He is soon out of prison and I'm afraid that one day he'll knock on my door. Most of you will probably just laugh at me.. but I really need some help or reasurrance. I know I signed up for this so I have only myself to blame, but I can't help but feel: What if?
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If you've been explicit in you not wanting to be the object of his desires and you've told him again, in no uncertain terms, that he's crossed the line, then just ignore him from now on. Return all snail mail unopened. Take his name off JPay etc. Don't let him control you...
Thanks for replying! I really appriciate it.
I've been perfectly clear with him many times.. If I delete him off Jpay then he can't contact me there? Or will he still be able to write?
Hopefully he finally gets it from my last message, where I was as straight forward as anyone could ever be.. I'll have to see how to return letters where I live, not sure how to..
Thanks alot.
Thanks for replying! I really appriciate it.
I've been perfectly clear with him many times.. If I delete him off Jpay then he can't contact me there? Or will he still be able to write?
Hopefully he finally gets it from my last message, where I was as straight forward as anyone could ever be.. I'll have to see how to return letters where I live, not sure how to..
Thanks alot.
To return a letter, after it's been delivered, just put a strike through your address and write "refused" on it and put it back into the mail system i.e. post box where they collect mail from. It won't cost you postage. Taking his name off Jpay means he can't contact you through there, as inmates can only respond to those who add them. Also, forget about him having your address, in terms of paying you a visit from the USA after his release... it's not going to happen. Again, don't let him control you through fear. Forget about him and move on.
Thanks a lot for the reassurance.
I will remove him, and return all mail (if I ever recieve more). I'm not religious, however bless you, this calmed me down a lot.
@Milense - First of all, take a deep breath, calm down, everything will be okay. It's a shame that you got such a creeped out vibe from this person. They're obviously continually ignoring your boundaries, which shows a complete sign of disrespect. You don't need to continue writing based on that alone. Since you have already mentioned things numerous times to him, I don't even think you "owe him anything" in terms of explanation for just going AWOL. Especially not if it would cost you money to do so. Up to you though, a final goodbye message explaining why you don't feel comfortable continuing might give you some closure.
In terms of your address, just remember, that many countries have strict laws concerning entry and border security. I don't know about Europe, or which European country you're in, but as an example, no former inmates would ever be allowed entry into Australia. There might be ways around that, but the chances are so insanely miniscule, it's not even worth a thought.
Once inmates are released, they'll also probably be far too concerned with really basic survival on the outside - job, house, re-establishing family or friendships. Spontaneous European getaways are probably well down their list of priorities and financial abilities.
Thank you for the kind and thoughtful words. I'm usually not anxious at all, but since I have had a wierd feeling over all with this one I went into a loop of anxiety out of nowhere. I've tried searching for info if former inmates would be allowed entry in my country, but didn't find anything..but I doubt former prisoners would have an easy time coming in for a visit..
I found him on Facebook and already blocked him so he won't be able to contact me there.. Thanks a lot for calming me down - I really really appriciate it.
Don't do any of that... call the prison mail room and get them to put you on their do not correpond list for him and if he tries again he'll get a disciplanary write up. I severely doubt he'll ever turn up on your doorstep. He will have a range of parole conditions and I doubt he'll be able to travel overseas while on parole, or at all ever again.
Thanks for the info, the prison only had an email so I sent them one asking for guidance on how to proceed. I really appriciate your message.
Hi sorry this as happened to you. I understand it’s scary and it can frighten you. You can remove him from jpay maybe that way he will just get the message. Don’t ever blame yourself for other people’s behaviour it’s not your fault. More then likely when he gets out he will have a million other things to do and it will all be behind you.
Hi, thanks for your words.. I'm not easily affected by things like this, but I felt that something was off with him..
I've contaced the prison he is located in to see if they make sure he won't be able to contact me, after that I'll block him on Jpay..
You can contact the facility that he's in and ask that he not be able to contact you. Remove him from jpay. I seriously doubt he will show up at your doorstep. More than likely after he's been released he will be on parole. He won't be able to cross State lines, let alone international travel. Not to mention how much it costs and it would take him time to get his identification and passport. That's even if he would be allowed to and accepted into your home country.
Yeah, definitely no reason whatsoever to keep him on JPay, regardless of your other courses of action.
Hi Milense, how are you?
First of all, I so sorry for my crap english... But I think that I understand what happening!
Keep calm, deep breath and don't worry!
It's completely normal (although we don't agree) that some inmates create very strong expectations and bonds about their pen pals! I know it's a very unconfortable situation for you, so, if you already told him about that, but he just ignore you, make the same thing... Ignore all mails from him!
Sometime he'll just stop writing to you! Really... And don't need to be afraid about that.
Look at this side... This guys, are in jail for years, and a lot of them don't have contact with another people outside, so, when they find someone willing to write to, it's normal that a lot of things go through their heads! Friendship, dating and even dream about weddings!
I write for some pen pals, most of them are very kind, but some pen pals dream about traveling to know their new friend... But this hardly ever happens.
So, just ignore their messages and keep calm, you are safe, really!
Northernyank: Yes, I've contacted the facility to see if they can help me in any way. Fingers Crossed. Thank you for giving your input, I appriciate it.
BuddyBR: I'm feeling better now, thanks. Yeah, I assumed from the first messages that it was the loneliness talking. He wouldn't stop with the flirtatious remarks, wink smileys, talking about meeting up etc. even though I have made it clear (and I mean perfectly clear) that I'm in a relationship and only offering friendship to him, that I was very uncomfortable and asked (more like told) him to stop with it all he continued.. And as you say, it's probably harmless but you know for me it's not only annoying but also getting to the point of scary, honestly. Luckily I'm feeling better thanks to all the reasurrance here.
Jails and prisons in the United States have a do not contact list for inmates. If you put them on that list they'll never be able to contact you again. As to him contacting you after he's released. He may well be able to write you but put a line through the envelope and mark it with "return to sender." If he tries to look you up or call you or whatever you can ge the police involved. The likelihood that he will be accepted in your country at all ever again is fairly low. Most countries wont allow serious offenders to travel without a visa and depending on the crime he may never be able to travel to your country at all.
Thanks for the input. I've contacted the prison to get me off his list, so hopefully that works out well.