“You are about to enter a world of real prisoners. Please keep that in mind.”

That is the jarring warning seen by computer users who access the Web site www.prisonpenpals.com, an organization dedicated to soliciting mail to America’s most unmailable citizens: prison inmates.

“We don’t candy-coat the site,” said Priscilla Pletcher, creator and owner of prisonpenpals.com. “But once people use it, they usually find that it’s very interesting and worth their time.”

Pletcher’s Web site contains hundreds of inmates who place a “personal ad” in various categories, such as “Just Friends,” “Men Seeking Men,” “Women Seeking Women” or “Men Seeking Women.” There is even a special category for Death Row inmates.

For an annual fee of $10.95, each prisoner is allowed to include one photo and a brief self-description, including an address and what type of mail he or she would like to receive.

While sending letters through the U.S. postal system is touted as the “quickest” way to get mail to an inmate, computer users can also e-mail some of the prisoners. The e-mails are printed out and mailed to the inmate from the prisonpenpals.com office, Pletcher said.

Some prisoners, like Ruby Hill (Texas inmate # 563225), have specific requirements for their pen pals.

“What I’m seeking in a man is that he is kind … open-minded, honest, lovable, sincere … confident, supportive … a man who knows how to treat a lady, who … gives a lady flowers, diamonds, candy, etc., because a lady loves pretty things. I know you’re out there somewhere, come let Mama love you,” she stated.

According to Pletcher, almost 90 percent of the inmates are simply looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend. However, prisonpenpals.com is anything but a dating service.

Pletcher recounts the story of a woman and her husband who recently spent Thanksgiving with a prisoner the woman had been corresponding with. The group ate vending machine-ready sandwiches for Thanksgiving dinner, she said.

The simple desire for friendship is a plea that is common on this Web site.

Ronald Clark (death row inmate #812974) writes that he simply wants someone with which to correspond. He describes his living conditions as a means of hesitantly introducing himself to the outside world.

“I’m confined to a 9 by 7 foot cell that has a bed, sink, toilet and foot locker. I’m confined to this cell all but four hours a week. They let us out two days a week, two hours at each time. Other than that, I sit here in my little cage,” he stated.

Almost every prisoner on this Web site has a story — some offer explanations, while others offer excuses. The endless tales of hope and despair, however, can keep a person perusing the site for hours.

“There are 1.7 million people in prison in America,” Pletcher said. “They can’t all be Charles Manson.”

No one knows that better than Pletcher herself, who was inspired to create the Web site by her younger brother, Paul, who is currently serving a sentence at the State Correctional Institute in Pennsylvania.

Though in the 1980s Pletcher had been a volunteer who taught inmates how to read, it wasn’t until her incarcerated brother expressed his frustrations with his lack of mail that she began to search for a solution to the problem.

Thus, in February of 1997, www.prisonpenpals.com was launched.

Not all response to the Web site has been positive, however. Pletcher said she has gotten some negative reactions, but she refuses to let that get her down.

“How much good influences will these people get when they’re in prison with hundreds of other prisoners?” she asked. “Maybe they need someone to help them.”

Zach Herbst, senior in graphic design, is one computer user who thinks the prison pen pals program is “sick and twisted.”

“Where do we draw the line? We might as well give the prisoners cable TV and put them up in a local Holiday Inn,” Herbst said. “The next thing you know, Charles Manson will be running this country.”

The mission statement for prisonpenpals.com explains, “Addressing the pros and cons to our service, we feel that no one should judge another. The people we help get mail are paying for their crime as society has seen fit.

“Any thinking individual will realize that not one person on the planet is perfect. The fact that there are many criminals sitting behind desks in positions of power should tell us that everyone needs a hand reached out to them.”

Pletcher asserted her belief that prisonpenpals.com is not a dangerous site in itself. She pointed out the age requirement for the Web site (though there is no precaution against liars) and noted that many young people have been very forthright about their intentions.

“We ask that visitors be 18 years old or older,” Pletcher said. “I’ve had young teenagers write me and ask, ‘Can I [write to a prisoner]?’ I appreciate the inquiry, but I tell them to talk to their parents about it.”

Pletcher also noted the risks inherent with any pen pal system and stressed her commitment to the computer user’s privacy.

“You have a danger whenever you’re not face to face with someone,” Pletcher said. “I’ve gotten e-mail from guys [prisoners] wanting information about a person [who is not behind bars] they are writing to, but I’m not at liberty to give them information like that.”

She also added that the Web site carries with it some expectation of “street smarts.”

“Adults who visit the site should have the common sense not to say [to a prisoner], ‘Hey, here you go! Here’s my credit card number!'”

Legally, Pletcher has her site covered. A disclaimer greets each person who accesses the site, which states, “Prisonpenpals.com and all of their associates have not investigated and accept no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of any statement made by advertisers and respondents. We strongly recommend that you take appropriate safeguards communicating with the people you meet through our service … In no event will prisonpenpals.com be responsible for any incidental, consequential, exemplary or other damages arising from or relating to your use of this service.”

Though the Web site has only been in operation for approximately one year, Pletcher said it has been an overwhelming success so far.

The site has been featured in Rolling Stone, Benetton Colors Magazine and a few television shows.

“It’s amazing how much [the site] has grown,” she said. “Look for it to be even bigger.”

www.prisonpenpals.com has its home office in East Berlin, Pa., and is staffed by only four full-time employees. It recently expanded its pen pal coverage to include Australia and Canada. All access to the Web site is free to computer users. For any questions about www.prisonpenpals.com, e-mail Pletcher at [email protected].