Discouraged Pen Pal Ads
Florida, Indiana, Missouri and South Carolina DOC do allow inmates to have pen pals, but there are restrictions to internet solicitation for pen pals. The rules state:
Florida
"Inmates shall not use correspondence privileges to solicit or otherwise commercially advertise for money, goods, or services. For the purposes of this rule this includes advertising for pen-pals; inmates are not prohibited from corresponding with pen-pals, but shall not place ads soliciting pen-pals. Inmates who post ads or have ads posted with the assistance of another person shall be subject to disciplinary action. "
Indiana
"An offender shall not use the mail service to attempt to solicit funds or other items of value. Offenders shall not use correspondence privileges to solicit or otherwise commercially advertise for money, goods or services. For the purpose of these administrative procedures, this prohibition includes advertising for pen-pals. Offenders shall not be prohibited from corresponding with pen-pals; but, shall not place advertisements soliciting pen-pals. Offenders who post advertisements or have advertisements posted with the assistance of another person shall be subject to disciplinary action. "
Missouri
"Offenders shall not use correspondence privileges to solicit or otherwise commercially advertise for money, goods or services, including advertising for pen pals. Offenders are not authorized to participate in, join or have their names posted on any websites with the sole purpose of pen pals. Offenders are not prohibited from corresponding with pen pals, but shall not place ads soliciting pen pals. "
South Carolina
South Carolina is punishing inmates for seeking pen pals under this code of law.
"Section 24-3-970. Use of a social networking site by an inmate to contact a victim; penalty.
It is unlawful for an inmate, or a person acting on behalf of or enabling an inmate, to utilize any Internet-based social networking website for purposes of harassing, intimidating, or otherwise contacting a crime victim. An inmate or person acting on behalf of an inmate utilizing an Internet-based social networking website for purposes described herein is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
The provisions of this section apply only to inmates incarcerated in a State Department of Corrections facility."