Texas legislator aims to block sex offenders from getting pen pals

Advertising for pen pals may soon be off limits for some inmates.

A Texas lawmaker is seeking to have sex offenders barred from advertising for pen pals online. State Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, is pushing a measure requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to impose a rule stopping any advertisements by inmates required to register as sex offenders. Click through the gallery to see the 12 most wanted sex offenders in Texas captured in 2016. less Advertising for pen pals may soon be off limits for some inmates.

A Texas lawmaker is seeking to have sex offenders barred from advertising for pen pals online. State Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, is pushing a ... more Photo: BOB OWEN, STAFF Photo: BOB OWEN, STAFF Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Texas legislator aims to block sex offenders from getting pen pals 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

It's a common refrain online: An inmate posts a want ad seeking a pen pal while describing themselves in the most flattering terms someone behind bars can come up with.

The inmates often described the loneliness of being incarcerated. But, few, if any, ever disclose why they are behind bars on sites like WriteAPrisoner.com or Prisoninmatepenpal.com.

Someone choosing to correspond with them could end up writing to a person convicted of most any crime.

PHOTOS: 12 of Texas' most wanted sex offenders caught in 2016

But, that may be a bit more limited under House Bill 821 as lawmakers return to Austin on Tuesday to begin the next legislative session.

The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, would require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to impose rules barring anyone required to register as a sex offender from advertising for a pen pal.

PAROLE: Tejano singer imprisoned for sex crime, now he's getting out

The legislation doesn't impose a penalty on any inmate who violates the proposed rule. It appears that would be left up to the prison system.

So, the lonely existence of an imprisoned sex offender may soon become even more solitary.

Click on the above video to see several odd crimes, including a sex offender who served as Santa Clause at Pet Smart.