Inmates’ families hunt for pen pals for convicted killers on social media

Jailed killers are begging for people on the outside to write to them, distressing the families of victims of crime, who slam it as an insult.

The Herald Sun has uncovered social media groups where family members of prisoners are posting photos of inmates seeking pen pals.

Killers behind bars are pleading for pen pals on the outside, insulting families of victims of crime.

The Herald Sun has uncovered social media groups with thousands of people, where family members of prisoners are posting photos of inmates with captions including: “My brother is looking for his soulmate” and “My friend is desperate to find a prison pal”.

In one Facebook group, a friend of a convicted Victorian killer posted a series of photos of him, with the caption: “My mate is looking for someone to talk to. He’s easy to get along with. No crimes against children or women”.

The prisoner was jailed for a decade in 2017 after he shot a 19-year-old man in the chest with a sawn-off shotgun in May, 2015.

In another post, the family member of a prisoner at Metropolitan Remand Centre, who has been charged with murder wrote: “Does have charges against women but not children … It would be amazing if someone could write to them please”.

While a family member of another prisoner in Barwon Prison wrote: “He has a heart of gold, very positive and happy person, definitely an amazing penpal”.

Families are posting photos of inmates seeking pen pals.

Prisoners are pleading for contact.

The Herald Sun also found dozens of women posting photos of themselves in the group, saying they were “desperate” to chat to inmates.

“Looking for a hottie to write to. All the solid ones are locked up. I’ve given up on the men out here, hit me up,” one woman wrote.

While another woman wrote: “I’m an interstate truck driver with lots of time on my hands so looking to either email or write a good old fashion letter either way. I’m 36, preferably people from Vic.”

A new trend has also emerged on TikTok where users openly brag about writing love letters to prisoners across Victoria and around the world.

One female TikTok user, who posted a video of herself singing, wrote: “When you accidentally become obsessed with your prison penpal”.

George Halvagis, whose daughter Mersina was murdered by Peter Dupas in 1997, slammed the prison pen pal groups, saying they were “disgraceful” and “insulted” the families of victims of crime.

“It’s just disgraceful, members of the public should not be allowed to contact them. It’s very hurtful to victims of crime and their families,” Mr Halvagis said.

“They are in jail because they are being punished for what they did and they should never be allowed to contact any of the community.

“There are families of those who have lost loved ones that are still crying for them every day, this shouldn’t be happening.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman said: “Online communication by prisoners can be distressing and traumatic for victims of crime and have the potential to pose risks to the security and safety of the prison system”.

“That’s why Corrections Victoria made it a prison offence for prisoners to commission people in the community to post information on their behalf on the internet or social-media platforms – including where it is contrary to the safety or welfare of victims,” she said.

“Any prisoner found to be contravening prison regulations faces disciplinary action.”