Letters from federal prisoners in U.S. going electronic

MIAMI — When Melvin Garcia was sent to prison almost a decade ago for racketeering, he had never used a computer. Now he sends 50 emails a month from a federal prison in West Virginia, punctuating notes with emoticons. Garcia, 38, is among thousands of prisoners at more than 20 federal facilities where inmates now have inboxes. By the spring of 2011, all 114 U.S. prisons are expected to have email available for inmates. The program, started several years ago, has reduced the amount of old-fashioned paper mail that can sometimes hide drugs and other contraband. Just as important, officials say, email helps prisoners connect regularly with their families and build skills they can use when they return to the community. More... Prisoner Pen Pals - Discount Cigarettes - Discount Magazine Subscriptions for Prisoners