Please help me out

I really want to know what draws a person to seek out inmates. Usually people want to meet others who will build themselves up and make them a better person. Hell even make them feel loved (such a wild idea). But in my eyes reaching out to an inmate is looking for disappointment and scamming. Seriously, I could never fathom seeking out a partner who is in jail. I want better for my life. Can someone explain this?