Why I Write To Prisoners Everyday, Despite Terminal Cancer Diagnosis | On The Red Dot

Key Concepts

• E-Letters to Inmates: Regular email correspondence with prisoners to combat social isolation and aid reintegration.
• Par Counseling: Providing emotional support to inmates without formal counseling certification.
• H Project: A non-profit organization founded to continue the work of supporting inmates and ex-inmates through correspondence and community service.
• Mango Page Project: A volunteer initiative involving ex-inmates in pro-social activities like packing goodie bags and serving meals.
• Stage Three Liver Cancer & Prognosis: Roger’s personal health journey and its impact on his commitment to the H Project.
• Reintegration: The process of helping former inmates successfully return to society.
• "Dear Inmates" Book: A compilation of Roger’s emails to inmates, published to raise awareness and understanding.

Introduction to the Initiative

Since June 2022, Roger has been consistently writing emails – nearly 28,000 as of the video – to inmates in Chinese prisons. This initiative began as a way to combat the social isolation experienced by prisoners, particularly those who have been incarcerated for extended periods and are disconnected from current events. He notes that inmates often receive news and media (like movies such as Avengers) with a significant delay, sometimes two years after release. The goal is to help them stay connected to society and ease their eventual reintegration.

The Process of Communication & Challenges

Roger’s communication process involves adding inmates as friends on the prison’s “elet portal” using their inmate number, requiring their acceptance before correspondence can begin. He often receives new inmate email numbers through his existing mailing list, creating a network effect. However, this communication is heavily monitored; all emails are vetted by prison wardens, and messages containing words like “blood,” “death,” or “die,” as well as vulgarities, are immediately rejected.

A significant challenge Roger faces is responding to inmates who express suicidal thoughts or hopelessness, particularly when dealing with family crises they are powerless to influence. He primarily offers patience and encouragement in these difficult situations.

Origins & Evolution of the Project

Roger’s involvement with inmates began in 2018 with par counseling through a charity organization. Par counseling, he explains, provides emotional support without requiring formal counseling qualifications. He interacted with inmates monthly in groups of 30-50, building friendships. This was disrupted by COVID-19 in 2020, leading him to transition to email correspondence.

The idea for daily emails stemmed from an inmate mentioning receiving daily emails from family, inspiring Roger to provide a similar level of connection. He started with two inmates and has grown to writing to nearly 100 daily, a process that can take one to three hours each time. He currently writes to approximately 25 inmates regularly.

The "Dear Inmates" Book & H Project Foundation

In December 2024, Roger received a prognosis of less than 12 months to live after being diagnosed with Stage Three liver cancer in August 2024. Initially, he was optimistic about a one-day operation to remove the cancer cells, but post-operative complications revealed his liver was too weak for further treatment.

Facing this prognosis, his immediate thought was to compile his emails into a book, “Dear Inmates, Daily Emails to Prisoners,” to demonstrate the positive impact of simple acts of connection and to humanize inmates. He partnered with Ambulance Wish Singapore (AWS) to publish the book, which launched in May 2025.

Recognizing the potential for continued impact, Roger founded the non-profit organization, H Project, to ensure the work continues even after his passing. The H Project aims to facilitate ongoing correspondence with inmates and provide opportunities for ex-inmates to contribute to society.

Mango Page Project & Ex-Inmate Involvement

The Mango Page Project, initiated by an ex-inmate in June 2022, involves volunteers – initially ex-inmates, now including their friends and family – in pro-social activities. These activities include packing goodie bags for orphans and serving meals to the elderly in nursing homes. Roger emphasizes that engaging ex-inmates in these activities helps them feel redeemed and facilitates their reintegration into society. The ex-inmates refer to themselves as “the squad,” viewing themselves as underdogs making a positive contribution. Currently, the H Project has six regular volunteers.

Personal Reflections & Future Vision

Roger acknowledges that his terminal illness has motivated him to maximize his time and impact. He continues to fund the H Project’s activities personally. His biggest concern is the sustainability of the project after his death, which is why he is working to establish it as a legal entity to attract more volunteers and expand its reach.

He states, “My biggest worry about H project is that it would be a waste right if it ends with.” He is committed to writing emails to inmates for as long as he is able, stating, “I’ll carry on writing this until uh I cannot anymore until I die.”

Notable Quotes

• “Something simple like this is helping so many people and then people get to know the immates better.” – Roger, regarding the purpose of the “Dear Inmates” book.
• “Getting them to do all this pro-social stuff makes them realize that they can do good which helps them feel that they have redeemed themselves which is easier for them to reintegrate back to the society.” – Roger, on the benefits of the Mango Page Project.
• “Roger is very positive about his terminal cancer because he's still doing his best to serve people.” – Narrator, highlighting Roger’s resilience and dedication.

Technical Terms & Concepts

• Elet Portal: The prison’s electronic communication system used for sending and receiving emails.
• Par Counseling: Non-certified emotional support provided to inmates.
• Prognosis: A doctor’s prediction of the likely course of a disease.
• Stage Three Liver Cancer: A specific stage of liver cancer indicating the extent of the disease’s spread.
• Reintegration: The process of a former prisoner returning to society.

Conclusion

Roger’s story is a testament to the power of human connection and the potential for positive change, even in challenging circumstances. His initiative, evolving from individual email correspondence to a formalized non-profit organization, demonstrates a deep commitment to supporting inmates and ex-inmates. The H Project and Mango Page Project offer practical pathways to reintegration and redemption, while the “Dear Inmates” book serves as a powerful reminder of the humanity within prison walls. Despite facing a terminal illness, Roger remains focused on ensuring the continuation of this vital work, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and service.