North Dighton, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/20/2017 -- In the technological age of instantaneous online communication, the term "pen pal" may conjure nostalgic imagery of quaint stationary and stamps from the post office. Yet pen pals aren't solely delegated to the summer camp friendships of childhood. Thousands of people across the world have chosen to take time out of the day to reach out to inmates, significantly improving lives with the simple act of reaching out to say "hello".

"I'm looking for a meaningful and lasting friendship. If you want someone who is devoted to getting to know you, responding to all of your letters, and going you above and beyond to make you happy, I would love to hear from you."

A prison cell can be a very lonely place, but Pen-a-Con can change that, giving prisoners a way to reach out and form valuable connections. Writing to and receiving letters from someone who isn't judgmental about past offenses, and who shares some of your interests, can provide vital and valued emotional support. A large amount of the prison population doesn't have a proper support system and inmates may yearn for a glimmer of hope, a link to the world outside incarceration.

"I can't tell you how lonely I am. I love sports, basketball is at the top of the list, volleyball would be second. Making people smile is always good. Outside is where I like to be."

For some inmates, having a friend on the outside serves the simple purpose of breaking up their mind-numbing, generic day-to-day routine. For others, they genuinely wish to bond with someone, creating anything from friendships to a long-term relationship that could potentially lead to marriage. (A surprising number of inmates end up marrying their pen pals, some while still in prison while others wait until their release, depending on their sentence.) Pen-a-Con has set up profiles for each prisoner, allowing them to express themselves and elaborate on what they're looking for in a correspondent.

"I'm currently finishing up a 10-year sentence and I'm looking forward to meeting new people who can help me make a smooth and healthy transition back to freedom."

Inmates have regularly reported that having a pen pal made them feel less isolated and lonely, giving them a new outlook on life and lifting their hopes for the future. Meanwhile, outside the prison gates, civilian pen pals have expressed enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment in the relationships and bonds they form with their prison pals. Volunteering time to write to someone in prison isn't simply an act of charity, it's about a unique breed of interaction that should be taken just as seriously as any other.

Pen-a-Con makes it easy to connect with inmates from all over the world for absolutely no cost to you on the outside with the exception of a small fee if you want to post an inmate profiles for others to see. It doesn't take a lot of time or effort to volunteer a small portion of the day to put a smile on an inmate's face. While waiting in line at the DMV, waiting for a doctor appointment, or just waiting for the laundry to dry, there's always time to write a meaningful note. For those who may not be the pen and paper type, you'll find that many prisons have set up an email system for their population.

At Pen-a-Con, our goal is to help those within the incarcerated community gain friendship and make romantic connections around the world. Whether you're looking for a new friend to connect with or want to stay in touch with an imprisoned loved one, you've come to the right place.

To learn more about Pen-a-Con and the pen pal services they offer, visit their website here.