Pen Pal to someone in Prison?

I really need someone not to judge because it won't help me figure this out. I need honest and thorough answers, though. Don't hold back. here's my question: Today, I was googling subjects for painting and ran across a website for prisoners needing someone to write them. They are described as needing someone to communicate with because it is lonely and depressing to be cut off from all that's human and right. For various reasons, they are looking to have someone to write them. Friendship, and even, I don't believe this one, a relationship is what they are looking for. Some are in for life and they describe their situation as dyer, with little hope and depressing. Many of them have had their friends and families vacate them. They have become out of sight out of mind people. I too am just a little lonely, with virtually no one to talk to. I am female and would be writing to a male counterpart. I know better than to get caught up emotionally; I see it as helping someone who society deems as damned. what do you think about the idea of me becoming a pen pal to someone in prison?