I haven't gone for a regular visit yet, so I really have no idea what to expect. But my concerns are about family visits. Its going to be in two months, and as thrilled as I am to spend time with my husband, who I havent seen in a year, the whole idea of sleeping in such a location just copletely disgusts me. I'm used to leading a very comfortable lifestyle and I worry about the hygine of the place. The whole idea of spending the night at a place equivalent to a "Travelodge" or so I've heard, it repulses me.
I don't want to seem selfish, and my husband knows me very well, he'll figure out my facial expressions even if I try to hide it. Is the place really that bad???? He is at Ironwood. Who does the maintenance? are there sheets, bedspreads, is that something I could possibly bring with me? What goes on at these family visits (other than the obvious) Wht is there to do? What will I eat? Can I bring along all of my grooming necessities? Can I wear a normal bra?
I just want to know what to expect?
Thanks Girls!!!

I don't know how the little houses looks at Ironwood, but I think its a newer prison then where my husband is. And it isn't that bad! They give you cleaning supplies, so if its dirty when you get there, you can clean it until you think its clean enough. Also before you leave they have you clean, so its clean for the next people who use the room. There is a TV, Radio, patio outside with a picnic table, and a living room area, and a bedroom, a kitchen and table. Its not as bad as I thought it would be. You do get to bring your own sheets, blanket, towels, clothes, eating utensils and grooming necessities. I don't know about the bra with underwire, you can try to take it in with your clothes, I have, but it depends who is checking your stuff.

Have fun!!!!

I receive family visits, and the rooms are not that bad. My recommendations are:

Bring your own towels and sheets if you are scared to use theirs. Your husband can also bring extra sheets or he can ask for extra linens.

Use the sheets to cover the furniture---the couches, chairs, etc. That is my major concern. So, you are sitting on clean sheets instead of directly on the couches. The sheets may have to be only white in color--so check with your prison.

At Chuckawalla, we order food from the menu. It is the same vending machine food that is in the regular visiting room, except you can order some things like milk and cereal. It is all pre-packaged. They supply us with plastic spoons and forks and paper cups and bowls. There is a microwave and refrigerator and they have always been clean in our rooms.

At our prison, I am NOT allowed to wear or bring underwear bras or lingerie with underwire in them. Lilmamas is right---it does depend on who checks in your stuff, but it is a chance you take. They will ask you to take anything not allowed back to your car.

You can bring shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, make-up, toothpaste, liquid soap, etc. They all have to be in new, see--through containers. Try not to purchase products with alcohol in the ingredients---but sometimes it is impossible. You can bring in a new toothbrush, loofa, washcloth, etc. No tweezers, scissors, or anything like that.

In our rooms, there is only a TV. We have a little outside yard, so we will go for late night walks. We snuggle up and watch tv, eat together, talk intimately about things we do not want to talk about on the phone or in visit, and of course, we make love. I am never bored in my family visits.

Other inmates are responsible for cleaning the rooms. They do a fairly good job. The beds are made up with clean sheets, bedspreads, and pillowcases. The bathrooms have always been very clean in our units and I was happily surprised by that. All in all, it was fine. My only phobia was sitting on the couch without a sheet. That was all.

My prison is very adamant about not bringing in anything for the inmate. I cannot bring him anything---no clothes, cosmetics, etc. Everything must be for you.

Every prison is different. Be sure to check with your specific prison. Ours gave me a detailed list of all of the rules, requirements, and things I could and could not bring. I followed the list to the letter.

Trust me, once you are in there with your husband, and you are in his arms, your worries and fears will fly out the window. Relax and enjoy the quality time with him. Have fun.

im going to my 5th and last family visit this weekend. I felt the same way you do. i concider it to be like camping. none of the luxeries of home, just the necesities. where my husband is you must use there sheets, blankets, towels ect. so each prison is different. only bring paper plates, cups, forks, dish soap and sponge. he orders food off of a list, its shipped in just as there packages are. not good food at all, ruffing it. can food, packaged food, top romin, rice , that kind of thing.
i bring all my own grooming necessities, but there are certain brands, clear bottles, ect. pump style tooth paste only. you should check with the family visiting they have a list of idems allowed. no wire bras allowed. i wouldn't concider it real clean, but not real dirty. very plain inside, generic for easy cleanup. the inmates clean it after we leave. concidering where your at, its nice, my husband says so much better than inside. its nice to have the alone time together, it makes you really want him to leave with you. but im always glad to go back home, as much as i miss him.

Wow! Every prison really is different about FV's.
We get food from the grocery store that the inmate orders ahead of time. I send the money in, but it's a decent menu now...thanks to our FV Officer, who rocks! She's clean like most women and cares how the units look.

Honestly, I freaked out and was grossed out for a long time. I'm used to it now. It's like a second home. The kitchen is all inclusive...dishes, silverware, pots, pans, etc. We CANNOT bring in any linens, except towels, so that stinks, but we can bring in stuff other places can't, so maybe everything is a wash in the end.

Wendy

I'm in the process of submiting my paper work to get married with my fiance and honestly I was worried about these family visits. After reading all you grils experience makes me feel much better. However its pretty nice to hear you girls enjoy the little time you get with your love one. Good Luck to all you Girls

I'm not sure if you had your visit already. Hope this information helps!

My husband is also at Ironwood and I just had a family visit the first week in March. You are very limited in what you can bring into family visit. You can bring stuff for him like a pair of shorts, socks, boxers/underwear, undershirts, t-shirts, sandles, all of his hygeine (shampoo, soap, razors, deorderant, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, wash cloths) needs and all of your hygeine needs. Just remember that all of the hygine you bring in must be in see through containers and/or sealed or not opened. You can only take in what you need. No towels, blankets, sheets, food. I usually wear in a bra without underwire and pack bras with the underwire (I know I need the support!) As far as recreation, there is not really anything to do but the obvious...maybe watch some tv, talk or go outside. There is a movie channel that plays 2 or three different movies. That's pretty much it! If you have any questions let me know. Should you have any other questions that I may not be able to answer you can call the Family Visiting Coordinator, her name is Mrs. Martin the number is 760/921-3000 ext. 5804. She is really nice and helpful. Oh you can take games. Boardgames if they are sealed, paperback books and a deck of cards or a card game. They must be sealed. If you do happen to take a boardgame it cannot have any dice.

OH YEAH!!! I FORGOT THIS THE FIRST TIME...YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR OWN DISH SOAP AND SPONGE TO WASH THE DISHES, SINK AND TUB.

Again, feel free to let me know if you have any additional question.

My husband is at CRC in Norco, CA. And he has only been there three weeks. Does anyone know when and what we need to be approved for family visits. I'm already approved for regular visits from the last time he was there. And how often do you get family visits? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks J. Underwood

Hey,

Thank you so much for all of your information. I havent gone yet for one reason or another paperwork has taken quite a while, I don't even have a date yet. :mad:
Anyhow, your input is really helpful. I cant take my own towels and linens? That makes me pretty uncomfortable. Overall, did you have a pretty good experience?



Thanks,
May02