Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

PrisonPen ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

We operate as a Christian ministry connecting believers with incarcerated individuals through letter writing, supporting families, and helping returning citizens reintegrate into society.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Pen Pal Information: Church affiliation, interests, bio, background check consent
• Family Information: Relationship to incarcerated person, support needs
• Returning Citizen Information: Release date, employment history, housing needs
• Payment Information: Processed securely through Stripe (we do not store card details)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring website
• Device information

3. How We Use Your Information

• To match pen pals with incarcerated individuals
• To facilitate letter delivery and communication
• To connect families with support resources
• To help returning citizens find jobs, housing, and churches
• To process donations and commissary support
• To send service-related communications
• To improve our services

4. Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

• Correctional Facilities: To facilitate letter delivery
• Background Check Providers: For pen pal verification (with your consent)
• Payment Processors: Stripe for secure payment processing
• Partner Organizations: Prison Fellowship, local churches (only with your consent)

We never sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure data storage with access controls
• Regular security audits
• Staff training on data protection

6. Your Rights (GDPR & CCPA)

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Portability: Request your data in a portable format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@prisonpen.org.

7. Cookies

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and preferences. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations. You may request deletion at any time.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email or website notice. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices: