From diner placemats to tourist postcards, small pieces of mail can carry big love. But growing bans in prisons are cutting off yet another way to stay connected.
Melissa Bee
Hate Mail: Tennessee Joins the Mail Scanning Trend
Prison is one of the last places where a handwritten letter still matters — but Tennessee’s new mail policy is making that connection even harder. As of August 1, 2025, all personal mail is routed to a third-party scanning facility, with only digital or photocopied versions delivered. Officials claim this stops contraband, but the evidence says otherwise. What it does do is delay delivery, strip away the emotional value of physical letters, and put privacy at risk.
Hate Mail: Oregon’s New Envelope Ban
Prison is one of the last strongholds of letter-writing, but mail restrictions are chipping away at the few connections people inside have left. Oregon’s new ban on “security-feature” envelopes is the latest roadblock — and it even applies to envelopes prisoners have bought themselves. The result? Delays, wasted postage, and more isolation.
Your Sunday Read | August 10, 2025: Scrambling for Change (and Eggs) 🍳
Hi Friends, The summer days are long, the mornings warm, and cold brew is on the breakfast menu these days. ☀️ So pour yourself a cup (or grab a glass of something iced), find a shady spot, and settle in. Here’s what we shared this week on the blog (links near the...
The Good, The Bad, and The CHANGE from Reynold in PA
Thirteen years into his sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Troy reflects on the good, the bad, and the urgent need for change — from building others up as a life coach to confronting the daily harm of an unforgiving system.
The Good, The Bad, and The CHANGE from Troy in Texas
Thirteen years into his sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Troy reflects on the good, the bad, and the urgent need for change — from building others up as a life coach to confronting the daily harm of an unforgiving system.
Art From Prison: Victor the Convict — If Only It Was That Easy
A clever prison comic by R. Ortiz imagines a world where sending a letter means arriving in person—no delays, no barriers, just pure connection.
Bee 🐝 Sides: Symphony in the Park (And in the Work)
A summer night with the Eugene Symphony turns into a lesson on community, and what it means to breathe together. Also: a conductor, a spider, and a whole list of musical rabbit holes.
Fact Check Friday: It Was Never About the Law
ICE isn’t targeting people who “broke the rules”—they’re targeting those who followed them. This post breaks down the myths around immigration, compliance, and what’s really behind the raids, quotas, and billion-dollar budgets.
Still Here
It’s been quiet on the blog lately, but behind the scenes we’ve been buzzing harder than ever. After a whirlwind Bee Fest, we’re easing back into our rhythm and reflecting on what it means to return, reconnect, and keep showing up. (Bonus: new Kurtis & Joe post coming this week.)