Mailing Address:

Steven Ray Farris
#R5580 / K-104
WCCF
PO Box 1079
Woodville, MS 39669

"Experience may be hard, but we claim it's gifts because they are real, even though our feet bleed on its stones."

-Mary Parker Follett

A few words and a picture. There's more to me than this, but I'll do the best I can. The short version of how I landed in prison is that in 1998, when I was 16, I pled guilty to homicide and was sentenced to Life in prison. Now you know the worst about me, and most people can't see past that. What I hope is that you can look past it and maybe see there are good things about me, as well.

I'm not a fair-weather friend. I don't drink, do drugs or smoke, but I have no problem with those who do. My family means the world to me. Although they do have an odd sense of humor. Me? I just look funny. (Resemblance to Mr. Bean and Pee Wee Herman has been implied.) It's my family's fault though -all those power lines, and the waste treatment plant we lived near. I always wondered why I was the only kid in the area. . . ;-) I grew up in a rural area and have always enjoyed the outdoors and things like hiking, biking, camping, and canoeing.

I wish I could say I've done a lot of positive things since my incarceration; where there's been opportunity, I have. I've educated myself when possible, earned my GED in 2001, and was Platoon Leader in the Military Crucible Program (a sort of voluntary boot camp at WGYCF). I was also involved in litigation in an attempt to improve prison conditions. Because of restrictions, I've not been able to do much since.

Due to my age when I was incarcerated, there's a lot I've not experienced. Reading is how I've educated myself and is my distraction from my surroundings. I like most any subject, and fantasy & science fiction are my favorite genres. I like all types of music and can play a couple instruments.

Seems like the whole world has a short attention span now. One thing about correspondence is that it gives people a chance to actually know each other. Who really knows you? How many people really listen these days? Well, I'd like to know you and I'm a good listener. You've literally got a captive audience.

The first letter is probably the hardest to write, but you won't regret it. And even if you don't write to me, please take time to write one of these prisoners. Your letter might be the only bright spot in their day, or even week.

Sincerely,
-Steven