Legal News

L.A. lawyer starts greeting card company for inmates

By Jason Siegel

Thinking about the U.S. prison system can put you at a loss for words.

There are more black men in prison than in college. Over two thirds of women in prison are mothers. About one in twenty people in prison reported being raped or sexually abused there in 2007. Prisoners are about twice as likely to commit suicide. (1, 2, 3, 4).

Too boot, it's not unlikely to know someone in prison - the U.S. has the biggest prison population in the world.

But given the circumstances, what do you say?

Write them a greeting card.

L.A. attorney Terrye L. Cheathem saw a void in the Hallmark empire and started Three Squares Greetings - greeting cards for inmates. Cheatem told San Bernardino County Sun that she got the idea when she couldn't find an appropriate greeting card for her brother-in-law in prison.

Some samples:
- "I just wanted to tell you that I put some money on your books."
- "Do you have any idea how many people care about you.  A few of us signed this card."
-  "When you called recently, I wasn?t very sympathetic. I guess I?ve heard your promises to change too many times. Please - stop promising to change and just do it."

"These cards cover just what I need for writing someone in prison," writes one of the two customer testimonials provided on the website.

"The cards can start a connection, and connecting with family helps reduce the amount of recidivism, Cheathem told The Sun.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on March 25, 2008 (boomark / email).