Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#71

Post by jessehorne » Sat, May 02, 2020, 5:06 AM UTC

odensc wrote: post #70

kruzerkc wrote: post #45

Hi I'm Kiran, the finance manager for Ameelio. We are 100% committed to keeping our tools free for users - they're some of the most vulnerable in society and it is a tragedy that they are getting fleeced by predatory companies. As our founder said, we're completely self-funded and all volunteers right now. That's to say - we really need $$ to keep sending letters. If you have spare resources during these times, we wo…

> We are 100% committed to keeping our tools free for users > Website: "All our users can send unlimited free letters" But then in your landing page screenshot: > To celebrate Ameelio's launch, you have unlimited letters! As our community grows, you'll have access to 4 free letters a month. So which one is it? To say it's a "free communication platform" with "unlimited free letters" but then to limit it to 4 letters/…

To be honest the 4 letter cap comment is just in case we run out of funding and is subject to change depending on the situation. This isn't some free trial exploit. Nothing we do is disingenuous. We are 100% committed to keeping our tools free for users. I know the world is filled with businessmen trying to take your money, but that's not us. But thank you very much for pointing this out. We need to make sure we're more clear in the future.

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#72

Post by everfree » Sat, May 02, 2020, 5:19 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

The letter to the inmate on the front page says "I really enjoy the work we are doing, I could see myself staying here for a long time."

Is it just me or is the specific wording of this not in the greatest taste?

The letter also has some grammar errors.

Not to detract from the good this company is doing.

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#73

Post by terrence_tao » Sat, May 02, 2020, 5:48 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

I support what you're doing but you're getting carried away:

>When someone is incarcerated, it's ... an attack on their families

The victim was attacked, not the perpetrator's family. I won't have criminals goodified as innocent little damsels in this scenario.

>In my experience, poverty is oftentimes a direct cause for incarceration.

No, it's indirect, at best. Poverty is not a crime.

Plenty of good people are dirt poor yet would never consider victimising another. Unfortunately, some bad people do use their own financial situation as an excuse to prey upon others. This is especially disgraceful in the West where generous welfare systems will cover the living expenses and more of anyone in need.

By all means, keep doing what you're doing. But please don't ever forget that you're assisting criminals; people who have harmed some innocent stranger(s) and society as a whole. Regardless of your own sentiments, be very careful how you communicate with decent law-abiding people about your work.

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#74

Post by esra_steinberg » Sat, May 02, 2020, 5:51 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

I support what you're doing but you're getting carried away:

>When someone is incarcerated, it's ... an attack on their families

The victim was attacked, not the perpetrator's family. I won't have criminals goodified as innocent little damsels in this scenario.

>In my experience, poverty is oftentimes a direct cause for incarceration.

No, it's indirect, at best. Poverty is not a crime.

Plenty of good people are dirt poor yet would never consider victimising another. Unfortunately, some bad people do use their own financial situation as an excuse to prey upon others. This is especially disgraceful in the West where generous welfare systems will cover the living expenses and more of anyone in need.

By all means, keep doing what you're doing. But please don't ever forget that you're assisting criminals; people who have harmed some innocent stranger(s) and society as a whole. Regardless of your own sentiments, be very careful how you communicate with decent law-abiding people about your work.

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#75

Post by pkphilip » Sat, May 02, 2020, 6:04 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

Amazing work! More power to you and others involved in this. I can imagine this is a huge blessing to the people involved. Thank you for doing this.

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#76

Post by [deleted] » Sat, May 02, 2020, 6:05 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#77

Post by downshun » Sat, May 02, 2020, 6:07 AM UTC

Seems like a worthy goal. Hoping for your success.

Some sour negativity for good balance, from someone unfamiliar with criminal systems :

Are there mechanisms in place for verification of the sender and some potential criminal misuse of your platform?

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#78

Post by pkphilip » Sat, May 02, 2020, 6:10 AM UTC

gabesaruhashi wrote: post #4

My name is Gabe and I am one of the co-founders of Ameelio. Though we only launched 4 weeks ago, we have over 1,250 users that collectively sent >3,000 letters across the entire country. While it’s free for us to videoconference on Zoom and Facetime during quarantine, it can cost up to $25 to make a 15-minute phone call to an incarcerated person. Some of you might be thinking: “Is it just a letter mailing service?” T…

Wonderful work, Gabe! Much thanks to you and your team!

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#79

Post by tsjq » Sat, May 02, 2020, 6:28 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

>I believe that a system focused on reformation would be much better for our society than a system based on profit. Why should a corporation be able to take control of communication between an incarcerated individual and their loved-ones meahwhile charging high prices knowing that it's their only option?

fantastic points. I totally agree with you.

Re: Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

#80

Post by jakelazaroff » Sat, May 02, 2020, 6:33 AM UTC

aerostable_slug wrote: post #67

x86_64Ubuntu wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We don't need to restrict inmates free speech as conspiring to murder someone is already illegal.

You probably want to at least monitor their communications though; there is essentially no right to privacy for prisoners unless they are communicating with counsel. That means restricting the types of communication they can use (if only for practical reasons). I think most people would agree we all want to avoid scenarios like this: "Inside rolls of razor-wire fence, behind a network of heavy metal doors, locked alo…

Do people outside of prison not also organize murders that could be described in similar lurid detail? Maybe we should monitor your communications in case you try something like that.

If it seems so imperative that we monitor inmates’ communications for fear they’ll order a murder, consider that there’s a more systemic cause that we need to address.