The winter holidays can be a difficult time for many people, but for those incarcerated on California’s death row, it can feel especially isolating. This year, Death Penalty Focus is once again sponsoring #HolidayRowWriters, a heartfelt initiative that encourages people to send holiday cards to individuals who have been sentenced to death in California.
If you’re looking for a way to give back this holiday season and make a meaningful difference, participating in the Holiday Row Writers Program is a simple and impactful way to spread some joy.
How You Can Participate
Joining the program is easy! Here’s how you can take part:
- Email Death Penalty Focus: Simply reply to information@deathpenalty.org to express your interest in participating. The team will provide you with the mailing address of an incarcerated person on California’s death row.
- Send Your Card: Once you receive the address, purchase a holiday card and a stamp. You’ll send the card to the designated address using the DPF PO box for the return address (please remember not to include your personal address or name on the return envelope).
- Make a Difference: Your card could brighten the day of someone who has been isolated from the world for years, offering them a small moment of holiday cheer.
Important Updates for 2024
In the past year, all of the individuals on San Quentin’s death row were transferred to different prisons throughout the state. So, if you sent a card to someone last year and were planning to send another to the same person, please note that their address has changed. You’ll receive the updated address when you reach out to Death Penalty Focus.
Why It Matters
While a simple holiday card may seem like a small gesture, for someone serving a sentence on death row, it can mean a great deal. It offers them a chance to feel remembered and not forgotten during what can be a particularly lonely time of the year.
By participating in the Holiday Row Writers Program, you’re not just sending a card — you’re sending a message of hope and kindness to someone who may feel completely cut off from the world. In a time when many people struggle with the holidays, your words can help make a tough season a little brighter for those who need it most.
Join Us This Holiday Season
We encourage you to take part in this simple yet meaningful tradition. Your involvement can make a lasting impact on someone’s life, showing them they are seen and cared for. If you have any questions or would like more details, don’t hesitate to contact Death Penalty Focus at information@deathpenalty.org.
Thank you for considering being a part of Holiday Row Writers — we look forward to spreading holiday cheer with your help!