By the Numbers
Connections that endure
A correspondence isn't a transaction — it's a relationship. Some last weeks. Many last years. Each one means someone behind walls heard their name said with kindness.
Active correspondences
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Currently writing
These are pen-pal relationships happening right now. A volunteer wrote within the last few weeks, the inmate has either replied or is preparing to. Every one represents a regular rhythm of letters in and out.
Total matches made
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All time
Including correspondences that have since concluded — moved, released, or simply ran their natural course. Every one of these represents real letters exchanged. The connection mattered, even after it ended.
Currently matched
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Inmates with a pen pal
Inmates whose correspondence is fully active — they have a confirmed volunteer writing to them on a regular basis. These are the relationships ministry coordinators help maintain through approval and follow-up.
Days serving
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Since launch
Jeff's Second Family is a program of Food For Children, Inc. Every day this ministry runs, more letters travel, more people on both sides of walls are reminded they're part of something larger.
Coast to Coast
Where our inmates write from
Our inmates come from prisons across the United States. The top ten states by current inmate count are below — every state on this list is a place we're actively serving.
How Letters Travel
The platforms our volunteers use
Letters reach inmates through several different communication systems depending on what their facility supports. Here's how our active inmate population breaks down.
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How we count
All numbers on this page come directly from our live database — not estimates. We update them continuously as letters are scanned, matches confirmed, and volunteers verified. A few definitions:
- Volunteers serving — people who completed registration and verified their email. Inactive accounts are still included.
- Inmates in our care — anyone currently waiting for a match, reserved by a volunteer, or actively corresponding. Inmates whose status is "Inactive" (released, transferred without forwarding, or correspondence concluded) are excluded.
- Letters delivered — letters scanned and saved through our Letter Scanner system. Many letters travel directly between volunteer and inmate without passing through us — those aren't counted here.
- States represented — distinct states across our entire inmate database, not just currently-waiting.
- Total matches all time — every confirmed pairing, including those that have since concluded.
No personal information about volunteers or inmates is exposed on this page. Aggregate counts only.