65. Jesse Crosson - Prison Letters & Building Community Through Letters

Meet Jesse Crosson, a living testament to resilience and redemption. From battling addiction and criminal involvement in his youth, he went on to serve an unexpectedly lengthy prison sentence for a robbery and shooting he committed at 18. Undeterred, he rebuilt his life within prison walls, mentoring peers, earning a degree, and becoming a journeyman electrician. His turning point came in 2021 when a conditional pardon led to his early release. Since then, Jesse has channeled his energy into advocacy, launching a social media campaign, creating the Second Chancer Foundation, and delivering impactful speeches nationwide. With a powerful vision for justice reform, Jesse Crosson aims to shift the narrative from punishment to healing. He believes in addressing the root causes of crime like trauma, addiction, and poverty. By sharing his story and fostering change, he's working towards a future where healing and transformation take center stage in our pursuit of justice. https://linktr.ee/second_chancer Jesse Crosson PO Box 6755 Charlottesville, VA 22906 Non-Profits Related to Letter Writing in Prisons: Black and Pink: This organization focuses on supporting LGBTQ+ prisoners through pen-pal relationships, advocacy, and community-building. Friends 4 Prisoners: Dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting friendships between the incarcerated and people like you. https://friends4prisoners.com/blog WriteAPrisoner.com: An online platform that connects pen pals with incarcerated individuals seeking correspondence. American Prison Writing Archive: Although not directly involved in pen-pal correspondence, they archive and share writing from prisoners, raising awareness about their experiences. Books Through Bars: This organization collects and sends books to prisoners in the U.S., and some chapters also facilitate correspondence between volunteers and prisoners.