So as background I actually started my career in forensic psychiatry (specifically with men). So that would be psych patients with legal charges (usually being evaluated for whether or not they should be not found guilty due to their psychiatric diagnosis). I've honestly had such a big soft spot ever since for the incarcerated population (whether or not they even did it, the system is the system). Honestly of all the ways I've seen people psychologically compensate for the experience of incarceration, I actually really love this one.

It's almost ritualistic in the same way you might see an inmate make tallies of their days. He says that he wants to make sure everyone can confirm he got their letters but honestly the ritual marking down each one is such a great way of staying mindful of the amount of support he has. Whether or not he did it he is in the unique position of having a lot of people looking out for him and trying to make sure his rights are protected (a lot of people forget that even people found guilty still have those and he's not even there yet). It's really heartwarming for me to see an incarcerated person engaging in something so grounding and affirming of human connection, y'know?