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How do you obtain sample letters of character references for prison inmates?

Answer:

There is no common format, and if there were, your letter would be treated as a form letter. Your best solution is to type your own words in a standard business format. The format is readily available as a template on most word processing programs. If you do not have one of the Microsoft programs or any other, download Open Office for free.

In your letter, do not state anything that you cannot back up with evidence. For instance:

Mikey didn't do it, your Honor. I know he didn't because he is a nice boy.

Well, the penitentiary is full of nice boys. It would be better to do this (or similar):

Your Honor, Mikey could not have possibly robbed that convenience store on Friday 8 July, because he was mowing my lawn on the other side of town at the exact time the store was being held up. I tried to give my statement to the police, but they threatened me with Impeding an Investigation charges if I tried to tell anyone.

If you give specifics in your letter, be certain those specifics are undeniable, quantifiable truth.

Finally, sign and date your letter and make a copy. When you send it, send it return receipt so you have proof of service. Who ever accepts the letter has to sign and date for it. Or refuse and you then have proof of attempt to serve. (This is just a term to help later if necessary).

Finally, be honest, don't beg, but be real. The judge is human too. You have to appeal to that, but do it naturally. The character reference you give will help, but your friend needs evidence to corroborate his innocence and illustrate the miscarriage of justice that lead to his conviction. You'll notice in my second example above I speak to Mikey's character as well as his innocence.

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Contributor:

C.Hainsaw

First answer by C.Hainsaw. Last edit by C.Hainsaw. Contributor trust: 812 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 65 [recommend question].

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