which befriends people on Death Row in the USA
Human Writes is a long-established organisation founded for the purpose of befriending prisoners on Death Row in the United States. Whilst everyone involved with Human Writes is against the death penalty, the organisation does not campaign as such, as its main remit is friendship through letter writing or secure emailing.
Human Writes is not linked to any political or religious groups. The organisation has become well known internationally and many prominent public figures actively encourage and support the work that we do. We have become known and accepted by the US prison authorities as a reputable organisation, working within the parameters of their systems.
We have a team of voluntary officers and state coordinators to help support both members and prisoners in each state that has the death penalty. We communicate with members through a regular newsletter and annual conference.
Receiving letters can make a huge difference to the quality of life for Death Row inmates, speaking of us as their window on the outside world, a respite from their harsh and dehumanising living conditions.
Some prisoners find an outlet in creating beautiful pieces of art or writing, which they generously share with us.
The death row population in the United States currently stands at approximately 2100. Prisoners can be on Death Row for many years awaiting execution, with some being held for 30-plus years before their final date is scheduled.
Many living under sentence of death have severe learning disabilities or are mentally ill; some have had abusive childhoods and a high proportion have had very poor legal representation. We also remember that capital punishment in the US has famously been defined "Those without the capital get the punishment".
Living conditions on Death Row in many states are harsh and dehumanising. It is not unusual for people to be locked up for 23 hours a day or to suffer sensory deprivation. Many prisoners are abandoned by their families and friends and some have no contact whatsoever with the outside world. Receiving letters or secure emails can make a real difference to their lives; prisoners speak of us as their window to the outside world. Above all, they value being able to have a normal conversation and the feeling that someone cares.
"The very essence of the death penalty is to tell people that they are somehow sub-human, not fit to live. Yet even those people I have represented who did what they were accused of - a surprisingly limited number - have always been much better people than their worst fifteen minutes, as are we all. Those who recognise this by reaching out to the men and women on death row are true heroes, though I suspect they gain as much as they give to the relationship."
Clive Stafford Smith OBE, Founder of Reprieve and Patron, Human Writes
"As a journalist who has lived and worked in the United States, the horror of death row is one of the issues that never leaves you. The thread of humanity that Human Writes manages to sustain with men and women on death row is a profound contribution to keep alive the hope of life. Capital punishment is now on the retreat in America, but the numbers awaiting their fate are still very considerable. I am very honoured to have become a Patron of Human Writes and will hope to do my best to put my shoulder to the wheel".
Jon Snow Broadcaster and journalist, Patron, Human Writes
"I know what it is like to live in a cell for decades and feel that the whole world hates you. I never expected to be able to live again as a contributing member of a community. Prison life was precarious and unpredictable but I met people who worked there who wanted to help me and people like me - and I'm lucky that I live in a society graceful enough to offer me a second chance. At least I had hope. Hope for many of the people supported by Human Writes has all but been extinguished. Letters to people on Death Row let them know that however low they may have fallen, they are still human beings. They still have value and are worth caring about and letters might just help to keep hope alive. That is why I am honoured to have been invited to be a patron."
Erwin James 1957 - 2024, author and Guardian columnist, Patron, Human Writes