On the FAQ, it says
How does WriteAPrisoner.com work?The prisoners pay us to post their pen-pal profiles. You, the public, can write to inmates free of charge. We never charge you anything to use this website
However, on the forum I am seeing people talk about having to pay for stamps and other things. So, is it truly free for you to correspond with your pen pal, or are there charges with it?
Last post
If you correspond over jpay you'll have to buy " stamps" there to send letters...but as Mateo said..it's minimal. Other than that the WAP service IS free, far as that goes, you get the initial e mail free
WAP only works with sending in an initial letter for you and *THAT* is free. Any letters after that, assuming it's snail mail (the only form I'm used to), you'll be paying a very mini fee to buy the stamp for it to be sent off. Just like writing to anyone, it's not entirely free but it's also not something expensive. Trust me... I'm terribly stingy with my money lmao
It's true, WaP never put a charge for me on anything and I'm no regular sponsor to any of my penpals, either. But I don't mind sending a small amount in sometimes. Could be for a bd or for Christmas, for example. I've also payed twice or so for credit points on connectnetwork (works like a stamp on that service). And I've only once been asked in a very polite and friendly way for 10 $. The why and what for was told and fully plausible. So I did 20, was given a relieved "whew, thanks, you really helped me out of a bind." and that was about it. Never occurred again and I didn't feel used or forced to give in any way.
So, no, normally you aren't charged for anything, except the stamps (or the online equivalent of them), paper & envelopes (if you do snail mail).
Yes, it is free- and if someone asks you for money, it's totally up to you to say yes or no. Some will ask, some won't. Mine normally don't, as I said above.