Writing Letters to Prison Residents: Guidance from Wendy Davey

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Join Wendy Davey as she shares her journey supporting Beyond Buddies, a dedicated group she encountered at a 3P UK conference.

This video highlights her commitment and the profound impact of this charitable club on the community.

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🔹 2. Connecting with Buddies Through Letters

Wendy shared her heartfelt process for responding to her buddy’s letters — reading them twice, jotting down positives and negatives, and writing from an intuitive, grounded place.

She includes original poems in her responses, written spontaneously and connected to the buddy’s experiences. These poems have helped her buddy, who is autistic and prone to overthinking, begin to experience moments of stillness.

Other volunteers noted how poems and even visual art can be unique, non-analytical ways to connect meaningfully.

One of Wendy’s recent poems was shared aloud and deeply appreciated by others for its calming effect.

🔹 3. Responding to Drug Use Disclosures

Anastasia sought advice after her buddy disclosed struggles with drug use, noting her lack of experience in this area.

She arrived at a heartfelt, principle-aligned reflection: seeing addiction as part of the human journey rather than a battle—and trusting that deeper understanding could bring calm and freedom.

Group members affirmed her approach, highlighting the importance of speaking from one’s own clarity rather than trying to solve the problem.

The Principles suggest that everyone has inner wisdom — including the buddies — and our role is to connect, not to fix.

🔹 4. Logistics and Resources

Most buddy letters are handwritten. Volunteers expressed difficulty reading them — especially those with dyslexia. Strategies like printing, using a ruler, or retyping were suggested.

Packs (workbooks) occasionally get delayed or returned. Carola is monitoring mail collection frequency and ensuring materials are reaching their intended recipients.

Volunteers can request Beyond Recovery to send books like The Enlightened Gardener — these are included with a labelled slip and sent directly if permitted by the prison.

There is no internet access in prison — thus no YouTube or online resources.

🔹 5. Staying in Contact Post-Release

Volunteers can maintain contact with a buddy after their release only through Beyond Buddies channels.

Buddies can be encouraged to email Beyond Buddies upon release. Further communication (e.g. Zoom, email) can be arranged under official guidance.

Personal email addresses and locations must remain private. No in-person meetings are advised or supported.

Each case is treated individually, depending on the comfort level of the volunteer and the circumstances of the release.

🔹 6. Response Rate and Engagement Challenges

Volunteers shared that some buddies don’t reply at all — a known and accepted part of the program.

Reasons for non-response could include literacy issues, personal trauma, lack of interest, or emotional overwhelm.

Volunteers are advised to write up to three times, offering simple prompts or encouragement. If there's no response, it's okay to stop.

Recent intake (25 new pack recipients) is expected to lead to more active engagement in the coming weeks.

🔹 7. Volunteer Support and Communication

SKOOL community is available for peer and admin support. No question is too small, and volunteers are urged to reach out if unsure or needing reassurance.

Private check-ins or one-on-one Zoom conversations can be arranged.

Speaking out loud — even in group settings — often helps volunteers find clarity themselves.

🔹 8. Future Events and Closing Notes

The theme of the next training will be “Not Good Enough” — exploring both buddies’ feelings of unworthiness and volunteers’ self-doubt in correspondence.

Volunteers were encouraged to continue writing from the heart and to support one another through any doubts or difficulties.

❓ Questions and Guidance

Q: How should I respond to drug use disclosures?
→ Respond from your own insight and compassion. You don’t need to be an expert — just human.

Q: Can I suggest help inside the prison?
→ Yes, gently. Acknowledge their insight and suggest they explore any available resources if they feel it would help.

Q: What if I can’t read the letter due to handwriting or dyslexia?
→ Print it, read line by line with a ruler, or retype it for clarity.

Q: Do residents have internet or YouTube access?
→ No — only letters and email-a-prisoner communication are available.

Q: Can I stay in contact with a buddy post-release?
→ Yes — through Beyond Recovery’s email. No direct personal contact or meetups.

Q: What if my buddy doesn’t write back?
→ Write up to three times. If there's no response, it's okay to stop. Focus on the impact you’ve already made.