Abolitionist Mail Project

Thanks for writing with us and sharing the word!

Join the card crew | AMP AMP is a penpal and cardwriting group working to abolish prisons in Massachusetts. We believe that connecting people across prison walls helps to break them down.

We'll be back at the Booksmith in April, but you can write cards from home anytime! Learn more and sign up for our card crew: tinyurl.com/AMP-cards

Every human being deserves to be remembered on special days.

Last night Booksmith patrons and AMP wrote more than 125 birthday cards to incarcerated people in MA. As an incarcerated organizer reminded us, these small connections can be literally lifesaving.

Send warm winter wishes to incarcerated people who need joy this holiday season

Why write? Incarcerated people are human beings stuck in a cold and lonely place during a dark time of year. Your warm wishes can make a difference as they navigate a holiday in a place that tries to disappear them. Tinyurl.com/AMP-winter

How to write Tell us how many cards you can write before 01/15/26 and we will send you the names and bios of incarcerated people in Massachusetts who want mail. There is no obligation to keep writing, but most members also want an ongoing pen-pal. Tinyurl.com/AMP-winter

Anything else? All cards are photocopied and prisons can throw out mail and punish recipients if guards say their mail is “suspicious.” Use cards made of one folded piece of cardstock with No glitter, textures, glue, glossy areas, embossing, etc. Tinyurl.com/AMP-winter

People from anywhere in the world are invited to write cards on their own— or invite others over for a card party and really spread the joy!

More info: Tinyurl.com/AMP-winter

A simple computer graphic. A red background with a green postage stamp with a red snowflake on it and the words send holiday cards to incarcerated people. Tinyurl.com/AMP-winter AMP logo

We're in track to send more than 700 holiday cards into Massachusetts prisons this holiday season, but we need you!

Please help ensure all our members who want cards get them! Sign up at tinyurl.com/AMP-winter

Mass Bail Fund Liberation Workshop Learn to post bail and free our neighbors! Make-It Springfield Thursday Nov. 20 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Join us on the ground in Hampden County to Free Them All!

Mass Bail Fund is coming to Springfield for a Liberation Workshop on Thursday, November 20th!
Join us in Western Massachusetts as we build community power, learn how to post bail, and strengthen the network of people committed to keeping our neighbors free in Hampden County.

RSVP: bit.ly/MBFNov20

We're having a great time at @boston-a-bookfair.bsky.social
12-6 Saturday 12-5 Sunday
-Learn about being a pen-pal
-Write a note to an incarcerated person
-Browse member profiles
-Buy a (vegan) treat
-Attend our 3-4pm workshop on being a pen-pal and hear from Lady C, calling in from a MA prison

Thanks for including us as an example of People Helping Together. People on both sides of the wall need each other to build a just and free world. As we're all increasingly criminalized in the US, we need strong bonds with those already behind bars. Pen-pals are building new worlds together #mapoli

Sign up to write or organize with us Get involved with AMP as a pen-pal, card-writer, organizer, or volunteer

This book fair happens every year around this time and is worth making a trek for. And if you're interested in joining AMP, you can write from anywhere!

Learn about being a pen-pal tinyurl.com/AMP-learn
or card-writer tinyurl.com/AMP-cards
and sign up! tinyurl.com/AMP-signup

We had a great time at @brooklinebooksmith.bsky.social and sent more than 140 cards to incarcerated birthday people with your help.

We're so thankful to BB for a generous card and stamp donation that allowed us to reach so many people. A member told us it was his best birthday in 50 years 😭

A graphic with spiderwebs in the background. A graphic of someone wearing a mask that says Masks Required in the bottom right corner. Big text: Abolition Write Now: Human Connection, Pen-pals, and Liberation Body text: This workshop will offer an opportunity to hear from and make friends with incarcerated people in MA. Drawing on centuries of anarchist solidarity with incarcerated people, we will discuss the importance of direct connection to bringing about a world free from prisons and police. Incarcerated speakers will lead conversations on a topic of their choice. ABOUT US. Abolitionist Mail Project fosters meaningful, life-affirming connections between people behind and beyond prison walls by creating penpal friendships between incarcerated people in Massachusetts and non-incarcerated people

In our Sat 3-4pm workshop, we'll discuss the long history of anarchist solidarity across walls, hear directly from an incarcerated person about being a pen-pal, and give tips for getting started. After, we'll match you to one of our 180 members!

Can't wait? Go to AbolitionistMailProject.com now

A busy graphic with Halloween themes: orange spiderwebs, jack o lanterns, candy, skulls, and more. Text: AMP will be tabling at [big text] Boston Anarchist Book Fair Sat Nov 1 noon-6, Sun Nov 2 noon-5 Write cards to incarcerated people, buy baked goods, get a pen-pal Cambridge Community Center 5 Callendar St Cambridge

See you this weekend at Boston Anarchist Book Fair! We're tabling both days and holding a workshop Saturday.

Stop by our booth to send notes inside to show incarcerated people in Mass that they are remembered, buy some baked goods so we can buy stamps, read member profiles, and become a pen-pal

See you tonight at @brooklinebooksmith.bsky.social !

A computer graphic with a red doodled cake in the middle of the page. Red star-shaped and regular balloons flank it. Text: Write birthday cards to incarcerated people with AMP and Brookline Booksmith. October 10 6-8p Stop in or stay. Brookline Booksmith. Break the isolation this birthday. RSVP: tinyurl.com/AMP-BB1010 AMP logo in bottom right corner

Image 1: a dark grey background with lines drawings of envelopes. A red box with white text is framed by quotation marks. Top text: Why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Mass? Main text. A white block that looks like a Corrlinks email. I really want to thank people for sending me birthday cards sense my family haven't. I believe that [highlighted] small gestures like this can make a difference in people [end highlight] specially if there going through a rough time like I am right now. Bottom text: Visit AbolitionistMailProject.com

A computer graphic of a dark grey background with lines drawings of envelopes. A red box with white text is framed by quotation marks. Top text: Why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Mass?In the middle is a scan of a handwritten letter. It is on white paper with blue lines. Dear AMP (DYKE MARCH) Re: pride month June 18thThank you for being a Beason of light- a voice for some who are not heard - a voice for have been turned off by many and a reassurance that it is OK to be who I amPeople who have hollared at us at different rallies, marches, events. I was blessed to get a shout out from [name scribbled out]. Well if anyone ever hears or sees [name scribbled out]-- Tell her I said she is a BADASS. Again-- Thank you 4 all that you doHis signature is the name Michael in a circleBottom text: Visit AbolitionistMailProject.com

Drop in to meet us Friday 10/10 between 6-8pm at @brooklinebooksmith.bsky.social

You'll learn why pen-pals are important, get some tips, and then write birthday cards to incarcerated people.

Birthdays are often complicated. Help someone know they are remembered.

tinyurl.com/AMP-BB1010

Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Joe he/him #241091" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Content note: sexual violence. Currently civilly committed serving a day to life as a sexually dangerous person. Prior convictions for aggravated rape, kidnapping, and indecent assault and battery. Hoping to be released, and not die here in this horrible prison. Some good things about me, I work hard, owned my own company on the streets. I enjoy motorcycle riding, sailing, boating. Grew up on Cape Cod. I play guitar and a currently in 2 of the 3 bands here at the prison. I'm a cook in the staff grill here. I make breakfast and lunch for staff 2 days a week. I'd like to have some friends to write to email and possibly call or have them come up and visit.

Same layout as previous. I enjoying hearing new things and love psychology. I am 100% interested in furthering my education and I love talking to people Looking for in a pen-pal Maybe I could share some stories about my life? Possibly get to know one another. I enjoy music, we could share a passion for writing and playing music. Maybe whomever could help me find housing? For my eventual release? Being incarcerated I have no internet access so maybe someone could help look up things for me that might aid in my eventual release? I actually could use some friends.

Joe is a hard-working musician in 2 out of 3 bands in his prison. He loves psychology and hearing new things. He'd like a friendship where he can share and hear stories about life.

Meet Joe at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup

Image 1: a dark grey background with lines drawings of envelopes. A red box with white text is framed by quotation marks. Top text: Why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Mass? Main text: Because I’ve been incarcerated and enjoyed people writing to me. A sense of community outside of the walls can be life changing and I like to have a positive impact in community. Bottom text: Visit AbolitionistMailProject.com

Connection across walls makes a huge difference while people do their bid. Many of our inside members do not have regular contact with anyone on this side of the wall. And most out here don't reach in. Are you ready to change that?

Learn more and get started tinyurl.com/AMP-learn

Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Sean he/him #241084" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Greetings, I want to thank whoever is taking their time to read my bio and putting aside your busy schedule for me. I am very hard working, polite, funny, energetic Bi-Sexual man who loves cooking, playing Basketball, working out, Photography, modeling, conversing on daily life issues. I love dogs, Traveling, camping anything physical I love and enjoy. I love to shop clothes and Food. I continue to work on myself and any issue that I have. I love to help others even if it’s just listening and being that Sound board for them. My goals are to volunteer at shelters, to plant Gardens and Trees for our world. To help my Daughter and Grank Kids to become Successful as possible. To give back to my community any way I can.

photo: an over exposed picture of Sean. Sean is a light-skinned Black man wearing a backward and sideways hat and plaid shirt. He has a goatee and smiles at the camera

Sean is a hardworking and polite bisexual man who enjoys dogs, shopping, and working out. He loves being a sounding board for others and looks forward to volunteering to give back once he's released. His pen-pal should be open and honest.

Visit tinyurl.com/AMP-signup to meet Sean!

A computer graphic. A dark grey background with the title why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Massachusetts? A red square framed with quotation marks:I'm an abolitionist criminal defense attorney, and my relationships with incarcerated people flow from that power imbalance. I'd like to support people on the inside simply as a comrade rather than as someone responsible for their liberty and life. Bottom banner: visit AbolitionistMailProject.com

This moment of heightened fascism and criminalization is a great time to enter into genuine community with someone living under extreme repression. As more people's identities become illegal, we have a lot to learn from people already surviving incarceration.

Tinyurl.com/AMP-learn

Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Joe he/him #241091" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Content note: sexual violence. Currently civilly committed serving a day to life as a sexually dangerous person. Prior convictions for aggravated rape, kidnapping, and indecent assault and battery. Hoping to be released, and not die here in this horrible prison. Some good things about me, I work hard, owned my own company on the streets. I enjoy motorcycle riding, sailing, boating. Grew up on Cape Cod. I play guitar and a currently in 2 of the 3 bands here at the prison. I'm a cook in the staff grill here. I make breakfast and lunch for staff 2 days a week. I'd like to have some friends to write to email and possibly call or have them come up and visit.

Same layout. Main text: I enjoying hearing new things and love psychology. I am 100% interested in furthering my education and I love talking to people Looking for in a pen-pal Maybe I could share some stories about my life? Possibly get to know one another. I enjoy music, we could share a passion for writing and playing music. Maybe whomever could help me find housing? For my eventual release? Being incarcerated I have no internet access so maybe someone could help look up things for me that might aid in my eventual release? I actually could use some friends.

Joe is a hard-working musician in 2 out of 3 bands in his prison. He loves psychology and hearing new things. He'd like a friendship where he can share and hear stories about life.

Meet Joe at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup

We're thankful to Dean Spade for lifting up prison pen-palling. As more and more people, especially trans and disabled people, migrants, and BIPOC, are criminalized and incarcerated, we need to hold them down. Almost a third of our numbers are trans and many are very isolated

Tinyurl.com/AMP-learn

Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Caius he/him #241105" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Openly Queer/Tancentric, Devil worshiping Black Metal Scum Punk - into Anarchy, horror, the exploration ov consciousness, body modification and all manner ov unsavory and subversive shit! including but not limited to, being a dietary Vegan and a card carrying member of the Save The Manatees Club. Eye am currently serving multiple life sentences for crimes eye did not commit and am represented by both the CPCS and Boston College Innocence Program who are working with me to overturn my convictions and expose the prejudice and corruption which led to my arrest and imprisonment. We are VERY optimistic about the outcome, and we are NOW back in court! GOOGLE ME!!!

Eye spend my time ripping Bestial Necrosum Hell on my bass guitar, screaming primitive homages to The Horned One, practicing Zen, writing haiku, reading, rebelling, exercising, taking long walks in circles and otherwise seeking to expand my mind and find expression ov my true inner self... Looking also for others who may desire to share and experience thee uncommon. Looking for in a pen-pal Sincerity ov character, subversity, and sincere subversity ov character. - Eye'm all abou the out ov bounds! - Musick, anarchy, Zen, body modification, chaos as spiritual path...

A photograph of Caius, a white man with facial tattoos and subdermal implants resembling horns. He has a partially shaved head and a few long blonde dreadlocks. He stares into the camera with an intense look.

Cai is a subversive Queer Anarchist who is also a card-carrying member of the Save the Manatees Club. He enjoys playing bass, writing haiku, and expanding his mind. He is hopeful about overturning his sentence.

folks, if you’re interested in prisons, I’d love your eyes on this:

2 writers in prison in TX/WA are publishing a book on why we should ban solitary confinement — & their own experiences with it

They’ve agreed to answer questions we’d collect on why+how they wrote this

That’s where you come in!

We're so excited to read with almost 100 people inside and outside!

We have emailed group assignments and started mailing in readings. If you didn't get an email from us, of you're signed up and your inside reader didn't receive the readings, let us know ASAP!

Two computer graphics of white text on black. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for XX he/him #2410XX" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Text: She loves to go to the beach and chill, swim, and kick back. She is a very hard worker, and is a part of the free her movement [unclear word]. She is all about sports, any kind of music. Her family means everything to her. She is currently enrolled in Fram. State University. Life is what you make it no matter how many times you fall, you get right back up --Nelly Wants to talk about work, hobbies, likes, dislikes, where is your journey leading you in life?

The same layout. a photo of Nelly standing outside in front of a tree. Nelly is a white woman with silver hair. She stands in 3/4 profile and smiles at the camera with her hands clasped in front of her. She is wearing a necklace and watch and has a small tattoo on her forearm

Nelly loves the sports and the beach. She's part of the #FreeHer movement and a current college student. She believes life is what you make of it. She wants to know where your journey is taking you.

Sign up to write Nelly at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup

IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS Two computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Ed he/him #241016" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Text: Very open understanding, love to talk and share what life has to offer. Would love to have someone to write to, I have been incarcerated a really long time. Will answer all questions, I'm very honest. I am highly motivated to become a better and greater human being. My recovery comes first along with my higher power. My hobbies are music, role playing games (RPG), and sports. I am a very social person and easy to talk with. Although I am a serious man, I am known for my humor.

My interests are meeting real people that aren't ashamed what people say about them. I'm looking for a pen pal that is comfortable in their own skin and have a good heart. Someone who loves to laugh and can hold a intellectual serious conversation. As well as someone who has a purpose and sense of direction. I am looking for a person who is looking to always better themselves.

Ed is an open and honest person who enjoys RPGs and music. He is working on recovery and is highly motivated. He wants to meet someone else interested in self-improvement. Though he is serious, he hopes to laugh with you.

Sign up to write Ed at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup #PenPals

IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS Two computer graphics with random circles in red and grey. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Frank he/him #241029" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Text: Looking to meet new and exciting people for friendship! To be completely honest, I enjoyed making this profile out, to look within and speak from the qualities I have that may appeal to those like-minded people who may be interested in a friendship to be born. I am so very pleased to meet all of you! I am a ruggedly handsome fifty-six year old man from Central Massachusetts who is extremely compassionate, open-minded, caring, and responsible. I am NOT the type of man that is "all into myself". I am mindful of others and those I care about. I am the quiet type, a kindhearted gentleman.

I always put others before myself. I’m passionate a great listener, attentive, confident with so many more qualities to describe me but let's save that for our letters and e-mails. What I seek is a true and lasting friendship. I've made plenty of mistakes in my lifetime, they have all molded me into being my strengths today with a common goal of growth and healing. Some of my favorite activities involve making cards from nature for those I feel would be uplifted by this gesture, working out, eating healthy, country music, anything involving the outdoors such as working on farms, camping, and gardening.

Open-minded, no[t] judgemental, nothing is out of bounds They say being lonely and alone have two different definitions. Well I'm lonely and alone, so I fit both descriptions. I felt compelled to write this letter in hopes of meeting ,' someone who is willing to get to know the person that I am'. Someone who has the capacity to look beyond the surface of mistakes and interact with me based on the nature of human kindness. I am virtually receptive to all nonjudgmental people. Therefore, your age, race, weight, and looks are unimportant. Even if you were a little green creature from another planet , we still could be friends (smile)

I like to explore the different qualities in people and determine what makes us individually unique. I believe that friendship, communication, trust and honesty are the foundation to any meaningful relationship. In terms of myself , I am compassionate, open-minded, and intelligent. I am currently incarcerated for a violent crime and I guess the plan was for me to experience the worst condition of loneliness I never knew existed. So if you are reading this, then please consider the fact that your presence in my life is deeply needed and would be appreciated. I am only following my heart by reaching out to you because when it is all said and done. ' I AM NOBODY WITHOUT SOMEBODY!'

Frank is a Two-Spirit person seeking true and lasting friendship. Frank is both very alone and very lonely. He enjoys anything outdoors, is a compassionate, responsible, and caring person interested in meeting a friend who will be non-judgmental.

Sign up to write Frank at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup

Mustard yellow background color with black accents. The Warm Up Boston logo is depicted in the top middle of the slide. There are lines of minimalist tent designs along the vertical sides of the slide. Title text reads: "Common misconceptions about encampments, dispelled." Below the text is a right facing arrow, encouraging the reader to move on to the next slide.

As encampments continue to be criminalized here in Boston and across the US, we hear the same tired lies recycled from 311 complaints to Reddit comment sections.

Headline: ‘It’s clearly a frustrating and sad day’: Judge dismisses more than 100 cases amid lawyer work stoppage By Sean Cotter Globe Staff,Updated July 22, 2025, 1:33 p.m. Picture of a woman who is presumably a judge in black robes looking at a piece of paper.

something interesting unfolding: bar advocates (part of Massachusetts' public defender system) are engaging in a work stoppage over pay rates, resulting in 102 people's criminal cases getting dismissed yesterday 👀👀

David in CT weighs in about temps above 100° during New England summers. In MA, cell temps have measured 115°+

Fans are $30 (1-2 months' wages) in MA prisons. The industrial fans in some common areas circulate hot air, but don't touch humidity. Very few areas available to incarcerated ppl have AC.

We're now taking people for the waitlist!

Sign up at tinyurl.com/AMP-reading