Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using PrisonPen ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our Service.

2. Description of Service

PrisonPen is a Christian ministry that provides:

• Pen pal matching between volunteers and incarcerated individuals
• Letter writing and delivery services
• Support resources for families of incarcerated individuals
• Reentry support including job boards, housing resources, and church connections
• Donation and commissary support services

3. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to use this Service
• Pen pals must complete required training and background checks
• You must provide accurate and complete information
• You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations

4. User Responsibilities

4.1 Pen Pals

• Write letters that are encouraging, respectful, and appropriate
• Do not share your personal address (use our provided address)
• Do not send money directly to inmates
• Do not discuss illegal activities or assist in legal matters
• Report any concerning communications immediately
• Maintain appropriate boundaries at all times

4.2 All Users

• Use the Service only for its intended purposes
• Respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals
• Do not post harmful, threatening, or inappropriate content
• Do not attempt to circumvent security measures

5. Letter Guidelines

All letters must comply with correctional facility regulations. Prohibited content includes:

• Discussion of illegal activities
• Gang-related content or symbols
• Sexually explicit material
• Threats or harassment
• Information about other inmates or staff
• Escape plans or security information
• Encoded messages

We reserve the right to review letters for compliance. Letters violating these guidelines will not be delivered and may result in account termination.

6. Background Checks

Pen pal volunteers are required to consent to background checks. Background checks help ensure the safety of all participants. Results are kept confidential and used solely for volunteer screening purposes.

7. Donations and Payments

• All donations are processed securely through Stripe
• Donations to general ministry operations may be tax-deductible
• Commissary support is delivered according to facility guidelines
• Refunds are available within 30 days for unused commissary funds

8. Intellectual Property

The PrisonPen name, logo, and original content are protected by copyright and trademark laws. You may not use our branding without written permission. Letter content belongs to the respective authors.

9. Limitation of Liability

PrisonPen facilitates connections but is not responsible for:

• Content of letters between correspondents
• Actions of incarcerated individuals or pen pals
• Decisions made by correctional facilities
• Employment or housing outcomes for returning citizens
• Accuracy of third-party resources

Our Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We are not liable for any damages arising from your use of the Service.

10. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account at any time for violation of these Terms, concerning behavior, or at our discretion. You may also terminate your account at any time by contacting us.

11. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. Material changes will be communicated via email or website notice.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration, except where prohibited by law.

13. Contact

For questions about these Terms of Service: