COMPILED FROM EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK, THE NUCLEAR RESISTER AND OTHER SOURCES

As our movements for Earth and animal liberation surge with intensity, more activists are being locked up in prison. Incarceration is the system's attempt to suppress our efforts. For this, supporting our people in jail is as important as waging campaigns of resistance. Prison is designed to isolate people and can be brutal and desensitizing. One of the best ways to counter this is by writing letters to activists in jail.

Writing your first letter of support to a prisoner can be intimidating. You may know nothing about the jailbird other than the fact they have been imprisoned for direct action. You may be asking yourself, "What if they think I'm stupid?" or "Is my letter going to be boring to them?" as you write your first letter of support.

If it helps, before anything else, write, "This is the first letter I've ever written to a prisoner, I'm not really sure what to write or what type of things you're interested in." Then, write the sort of letter you'd like to receive.

A lot of political prisoners receive letters that are basically hero-worship: "I think you're so brave. I could never do what you did." Avoid this. Prisoners are just normal people who care enough to act. They're not superheroes and they don't want demigod status. Above all, statements like, "I could never do what you did!" are real turn-offs to those who did what they felt had to be done and most likely hope to inspire, rather than disempower people.

Share funny, interesting thoughts with them on what's going on in the outside world. Bring the beauty and strength of the natural world to them in jail through your letter. Describing the sights, sounds and smells of a recent adventure of yours is an awesome way to do this. If you know of any recent actions similar to what landed the prisoners in jail, tell them about that. Let them know what issues you work on. But, remember that all letters to prisoners are read by the authorities. Don't say anything you wouldn't say to a cop's face.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's natural to be curious about people you're writing to. Remember, they are writing to a total stranger as well; they might not know what to say either. Questions and answers help both of you develop a relationship.

As in any new relationship, it is important to be aware of boundaries. If uncomfortable questions or situations arise, talk to a friend about it or contact the support groups that are also corresponding with the prisoners and work things out.

If a jailbird does not reply to your letter, don't take it personally. The number of letters a prisoner is allowed to send out is often limited, as are stamps and writing supplies. Obviously, they need to write to family and close friends first. If your letter is returned, the prisoner could have been moved or the prison arbitrarily felt like sending it back. Prisoner support groups will keep you posted on a jailbird's situation.

No matter how busy our lives may be, it is crucial that political prisoners are not forgotten and their actions are recognized. So, what's stopping you from grabbing a postcard and dropping a jailbird a line today?

DO'S:

Always use prisoners' numbers along with their name on the address.

The more colorful, artistic and creative your letter is, the better! Send pictures of wild places and things that jailbirds can post on their walls to brighten up their cells.

Circulate giant support cards for jailbirds at any gatherings you attend. Put a jailbird's name on a large piece of easel or notebook paper. Stick a removable piece of paper on the card that briefly explains who the person is and why they're in jail. Posting several such cards at a table, with lots of colored pens is a great way of encouraging people to write prisoners.

Include a return address on your letter/postcard. Some prisons won't accept letters without a return address and the prisoner you have written will likely want to send you a reply. Send them a self addressed, stamped envelope.

DON'TS:

Omit writing about or sending anything that could be construed as culturally or religiously offensive, such as Christian- or drug-related references. Remember, prisoners come from all walks of life.

Don't bite off more than you can chew by taking on too much support. Letting people down in jail is disrespectful. Pick a prisoner or a group of prisoners to support and maintain strong support for them by incorporating your support of them into your everyday life. For instance, commit to write jailbirds every Saturday afternoon. It might be helpful to focus your support of prisoners by the countries in which they are jailed or the issues on which they work-Earth or animal liberation, anti-nuke resistance or native rights.

OTHER TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE PRISONER SUPPORT:

When your relationship with jailbirds grows and both you and the prisoners feel comfortable with it, you may arrange to deposit money in their financial accounts or with their support groups for special prison commissary items/supplies or to support projects they are working on from prison. Any financial assistance for a prisoner should be sent as a money order in the prisoner's name.

Invite prisoners to call you collect once or twice a month once you feel comfortable doing so.

Once your relationship with a prisoner has deepened, visit jailbirds whenever you can. Visits are incredibly energizing for jailbirds. Nothing beats contact with the outside world.

If the prison allows it, send jailbirds tape recorders and cassettes. Recordings are amazing forms of communication from the outside world and animate prison life.