Write to Russian political prisoners
No one should face injustice alone
Waiting for a letter
We have already written together
Total isolation. Horrendous conditions. Violence. This is what political prisoners face in Russia on a daily basis. Over 1500 are languishing in jails across Russia. Isolation is especially hard for prisoners, this is why the key thing jailed dissidents ask for is letters. As the recently exchanged dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza put it, «You have no idea how much warmth this little piece of paper gives.» Unfortunately, hundreds of jailed dissidents outside of the media spotlight don’t get any letters.
We want to change this. We want all political prisoners to receive letters. On this platform we will assign you a random prisoner to write to and give you all the details you need about their case. Just write a letter, and we’ll take care of the rest — free of charge. Plus, we’ll email you any responses we get.
Sadly, we can’t reach everyone. About a third of those in prison are in places where we don’t have their addresses or their identities can’t be shared. Some also want to remain anonymous. Fill out this form to get a pen pal assigned.
Looking for someone specific?
Use our search page to find someone by their first or last name, or choose a recipient who shares your interests, values, or profession.
Why write to political prisoners
According to OVD-Info, more than 3,200 people in Russia are being persecuted for political reasons, such as openly opposing the war in Ukraine, participating in protests, or posting something that displeased law enforcement agencies. Of these, more than 1,500 people are serving sentences involving imprisonment or are being held in custody or under house arrest until their verdicts come into force. Some receive extremely long sentences — up to 20 or even 25 years.
The persecution affects people far removed from professional politics: students, teachers, office workers, doctors, clergy, mechanics, janitors, artists, and lawyers. A significant portion of those imprisoned are Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of other religious groups who are persecuted for their beliefs.
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No one is safe from political persecution in Russia — students, doctors, teachers, journalists, artists, lawyers — to name a few. They’ve all joined peaceful protests, posted on social media, or been involved in political or religious activities.
A simple act like writing a letter can make a huge difference for those persecuted by the Kremlin. Our goal is to get at least a few letters to every single political prisoner we know of.
It’s not just about how many letters we send, but about making a genuine connection. Take a little time to write something thoughtful and caring. Check out the instructions below for tips on what to include in your letter and what to avoid.
Your letters are a lifeline for political prisoners — a beacon of hope in dark times. Each word is a hug, a reminder that they’re not alone in their struggle. It’ll only take 20-30 minutes of your time but will mean the world to them.
A simple act like writing a letter can make a huge difference for those persecuted by the Kremlin. Our goal is to get at least a few letters to every single political prisoner we know of.
It's not just about how many letters we send, but about making a genuine connection. Take a little time to write something thoughtful and caring. Check out the instructions below for tips on what to include and what to avoid.
Your letters are a lifeline for political prisoners – a beacon of hope in dark times. Each word is a hug, a reminder that they're not alone in their struggle. It'll only take 20-30 minutes of your time but will mean the world to them.