2016 was a challenging year for me, I learnt a lot, changed a little and begun on a journey which has brought so much to me.
My partner and I decided to become penpals to two inmates on death row in Florida, USA. People always ask why we do this, well I feel its giving a little to someone who has nothing and no one. A letter and kind words can mean so much at a time of need. In this modern social media dominated world we seldom have time to put pen to paper and write a letter and turn to our phones or pc’s to send messages.
My partner and I both feel strongly about the treatment of prisoners and death row inmates and therefore this year already I have had an article in local press (Hastings Observer), National Press (The Sun) and appeared on National TV, ITV This Morning with Holly and Phil, to talk about what we do. All of this was a great experience and it has helped the organisation who find penpals for death row inmates as people have contacted them since my TV appearance – which is brilliant news.
We would love to visit our friends and somehow, one day we will. I have decided to write more about our friends on this blog as I often struggled as what to write on here, however I would now like to share the support we give our friends and a little small glimpse into their lives on death row. We have plans for further articles and hopefully TV work, in the form of a documentary.
Death row in the USA has been in the news recently and so its a good time to try and help people see that the crime aside, these are human beings and are our friends. Friendship can be found in the most unlikley of places but can mean so much.
Tina
tinabrownwriter 