From June 2019 to April 2024 we have responded to approximately 836 letters from people in prison across the country. Write On! is currently advertised in prison newsletters such as Cell Count and Out of Bounds.
The most common types of information that they have requested from us include:
1. Pen pal services
2. Where to find legal help
3. Help with legal research
4. Courses and university programs
5. Information on various career options
6. How to start a business
7. Resources and services in the community
8. Re-entry program information
9. Counselling and employment assistance
10. Prison policies and rules
11. Information on one's rights
12. Things to do (eg. pictures to colour, games, jokes, etc.)
Testimonials (all reproduced with writer permission):
“Waiting in remand some time ago at Toronto East Detention Centre, I had received a copy of Cell Count news and seen an ad of a correspondence service called Write ON! I had noticed “Incarcerated in Canada? Need Information?" First thing that came to my mind was YES! And YES! I fit the criteria… that's when I wrote all sorts of topics that related to what Write ON! could help me with. From community supports, recreational programs, Institution information, halfway home contacts, legal guidance, and more. I had even asked for pen pal referrals. Then I wrote it all down then sent it by mail. Sure enough as always a short time later Write ON! had responded with a kind letter, table of contents and all I had asked for with up to date information and contacts. I tell everyone I can about Write On! The lack of resources to the outside we have when being inside is frustrating. One road block to the next not always knowing who to turn to. From court, remand, or sentenced ... in detentions, assessment units, institutions, then eventually release for most of us. Days, months, years can seem a lifetime as an inmate. Its fantastic to know Write On! is a resource that can be used to help. And to answer your questions, find you up to date information, contacts, supports, and resource to help guide you in the right direction the best way they can ... I must say Write ON! has made my search for resources and my life inside less stressful [and] I’m sure as well as many others. So I say thank you Write On!”
"Thank you Josh and all the people at Write On! ... I really appreciate that everyone takes time to consider the circumstances of people you have never met ... for that I am very grateful ... I graciously appreciate the time and effort that you put into preparing the study guide. The guide gives me information of things I did not know. So far, I have reviewed it a few times over during the lockdown ... thank you all again!"
"So when I had given up any hope to take it further I noticed your flyer on the wall by the phones. At first I thought don't even waste my time, but time is all I had left and I didn't want to think I didn't try everything. So I wrote and did not expect a response or a response saying sorry we can't help you. To my disbelief and awesome surprise, you guys sent me everything I needed and then some. So when I say how grateful I am please believe me. Thank you so much."
"One day a friend of mine told me about a volunteer group whose goal is to help and support prisoners in Canada. I immediately thought who would help prisoners? They must want something in return. Finally I persuaded myself to write a letter to Write On! And to my surprise the volunteers at Write On! were positive and kind to me.... I just want to say I'm so thankful of what you do for people, it warms my heart knowing there are still good people out there. So thank you."
"Today I received your letter dated March 21, 2020 ... I do appreciate that you took your time to answer my letter of inquiry. It's wonderful that you have started and created this volunteer group called "Write On" to write to people that are in jail. To help them get information that sometimes is difficult to get. Jail is not a fun place to be at all, you become institutionalized, it is like a microcosm of society. When you come to jail, the people that you thought you could trust rob you blind. When you get released, you have to rebuild and start over."
"I am starting this letter with a big 'thank you'. Since last October, I have written 3 times requesting information, and I have received 3 excellent responses. Your volunteer group is great."
"Thank you for the previous correspondence, you make time more bearable with your helpful hands ... PS You guys rock!"
"You're amazing for the help you give us inside! You help to keep hope alive and let me feel as if I'm not alone and someone cares ... to find Write On, in this time of darkness, really shines a light and makes me feel like there are people that still care and that is worth more than words. What you're doing with the Write On program is amazing and speaks to you as volunteers so thank you very much"
"Thank you for your time and efforts. I have heard a lot of positive reviews about this service. Inmates all over the prison seem to talk about 'Write On'. They all seem to be totally satisfied with your response time, and also the information your service provides"
"I really enjoy getting the information that you have sent me so far. You guys really put in the effort and are very knowledgeable. Thank you for your service. I have put up another poster. Send another soon."
"Thank you! The help is very much appreciated. Being incarcerated cuts off inmates from even the simplest of tasks, like looking something up on Google. It's nice to know that there is an organization out there that cares."
"To the astute volunteers of Write On! who carry out the thankless gig of serving inmates like myself, I would like to let you know that the work you guys do really does go a long way. I can assure you that your praises have been sung throughout the grapevines here in jail, deservedly so. When you've been deprived of virtually everything, apart from just enough caloric sustenance to maintain your baseline existence, it can make you feel as if you've been reduced to a rat in a cage ... while the systems of incarceration do everything within their power to dehumanize us, you kind and compassionate folks at Write On! make us feel human again."
"Your service is a real blessing. Often in prison we need a 'foot soldier' - someone to do a task or help in some way. Thanks for being available for us ... keep doing what you're doing!"
"Just want to say thank you for your time and support, and what you do for inmates. A huge thank you!"
"What you guys do is great ... so many inmates have need for info or ideas that they have no way of acting on ... when I get out of here, I would love to volunteer with your group. You really make women smile when they get the reply from you. It's shocking to some that there are people who want to help inmates ... we're not bad people, just made bad choices. You guys rock! "
"I would like to thank you for the list of lawyers you have provided me with. I don't know about other institutions in BC or across the country, but we here ... are so cut off from the rest of the world that it makes it almost impossible to get any help"
"I am writing to let you guys know that I had received the pictures I requested, and I am so grateful for them. They put a smile on me when I saw them, and I showed them to the other inmates in the range. It also helps me with the severe depression I am going through and I have them on the wall next to my bed so I can see them just before I go to sleep and it helps through the night ... I am so happy to see my favourite soccer player of all times ... thank you for helping me go through a very tough time in my life"
"I wish I had known about this resource much sooner ... being incarcerated separates you from many resources that connect free society to ones who are locked up, supposedly as a safety precaution. But that makes it very difficult for someone to create steps necessary for release. As of right now I have no access to my friends and family, because my phone with all my info is on the outside. Thank you for your time"
