Can anyone give me any helpful information about Folsom? My son was at SQ Reception until yesterday. I figured out SQ rules and visiting pretty well. Now I am starting all over with how things work at Folsom.

Any info on visiting, what to wear (if different than the general clothing rules) what can be mailed and quantities, what it's like there, etc.

I am assuming the mail address is Inmate Name CDC# Folsom State Prison Represa, CA 95671. Can someone confirm?

Thanks... at this point, I am a blank slate, any info would be helpful.:) :)

Basically, no blue jeans, nothing blue, no strapless shoes, no gray sweats.
I've never visited another prison so i'm not sure how it is anywhere else but it's get very crowded there. Visitors start lining up at 6:30am-you cant be on the prison grounds before then.

Oh and the address is
Inmates name, CDC#
F.S.P.- (housing #, if you know it)
P.O. Box 715071
Represa, CA 95671

And always call first! We have a lot of LD's.
No underwire bras and they are getting strict about red tops with red bottoms.
It's an awful place to visit...one visiting room for the entire prison. Lot's in inconsistencies from week to week...you've got to be on your toes at all times. It used to be better there, but now it's crazy! Sorry there's not better news for you. It's just that a lot of newer people have really ruined our "home". :(
Wendy

Wow.. I guess I didn't know how nice I had it visiting SQ Reception. I have stuck with wearing black dress slacks and black short sleeve shirt with black slip on shoes to visits. I hope that will still work.

Do you really have to be there at 6:30AM :) How many are let in at a time? Is there a big wave at the beginning and then slows down. If you come after the rush, do you have any better chance of waiting less time?

Well, my questions have only begun :help: , thanks for all the help for the newbie !!

Wow.. I guess I didn't know how nice I had it visiting SQ Reception. I have stuck with wearing black dress slacks and black short sleeve shirt with black slip on shoes to visits. I hope that will still work.

Do you really have to be there at 6:30AM :) How many are let in at a time? Is there a big wave at the beginning and then slows down. If you come after the rush, do you have any better chance of waiting less time?

Well, my questions have only begun :help: , thanks for all the help for the newbie !!

NEVER wear slip on shoes. ALL shoes there MUST have straps! Black is good. :) It's safe. :)

The line starts at 6:30, and then they pass out numbers (1-150) about 7:30. They call numbers by groups (usually 30 at a time) every 1/2 hour. If you don't get a number, you have to stand outside (yes even in the rain) for hours waiting to get processed. Even IF you are first in line, you won't even see your inmate until 9am or so. It's a LONG day at that place, I'm tellin' ya! And if you are not in the first group...do the math...it's an even longer day, considering only 30 people go down every 1/2 hour.

If you live close, and you don't want to spend the entire day there, I recommend getting there about 9:30 and checking in then. Usually, there's no line outside at that point. But almost 100% sure you won't have a seat inside by then.

Wendy

Kevin'smom:
I just read another post where it says your son is at Sacramento State Prison in Represa. If so, that's NOT the prison we've been talking about. They are right next to one another, but SAC is at NEW Folsom, and I don't have any idea about that place.
Wendy

Wendy,

Sorry for the confusion. I sent an earlier thread that my son was going to be sent to CSP Solano (Vacaville). Then, I found out that they actually sent him to Folsom. They gave me the "Old Folsom" tel # and P.O. Box. The Inmate Locator also showed him at Folsom. Don't know why they didn't send him where they told him they were, but it sounds like they do whatever they want to do.

Thanks for the information about Folsom visiting, it is very helpful. Now I know, visiting sucks. :mad:

So... is it also a horrible place to be sent to serve your time? Would any information about what it is like to be "living" there.

Thanks, Charme:)

Hi Charme,
OF used to be a "decent" place to be...it was mostly lifers and level II's completing longer sentences. It's getting more violent now with all the level III's moving in...OF is considered a level III prison now. My husband likes it though, because it's cell living as opposed to dorms. Most guys who have done a lot of time HATE dorms! Eventhough level II prisons have more freedom, and better food (that's what I've heard), they have to be in dorms now with many other inmates. It's a give and take. Visiting used to be nicer too. Sadly, a lot of new people have come this past year and many of them just don't have the manners and respect that the other family-members had before all the transfers. It's sad. However, if your son is eligble for family visits you should really try and go to those.
Best,
Wendy

Wendy,

Thanks for all of the information. I'm going to try and call Folsom today, to see if I can visit my son this weekend. I don't know if he can have visitors as soons as he is transferred there. He only got there last Wednesday 3/2. I also want to send him a quarterly package for this quarter, if possible. I have read that maybe he has to go through some sort of orientation time where they detemine his status and what privledges he gets. Do I need his housing "address" in order to send mail? I have been sending letters without it so I hope it gets through.

Until I can see him or hear from him, I am scared for him. I find myself crying often. He is only 20!. He did OK at SQ Reception, but now he is at a real prison. And one that doesn't sound very good.

What exactly are family visits. Can a mother have a family visit with her son? Or is it more for a wife to have a visit with her husband?

Thanks again for all of the wonderful information.

Charme:)

Hi Charme

I was worried as hell when my man was transfered cause he is so laid back and never really hung with the rough crowd. However within weeks of getting on his new yard he made friends and they basically watch each others back. Now, some 6 months later he is doing just fine and when I go to visit, the other inmates come by and say hi and give him the high five. In short, they figure out how to do their time, get along and find those people on the inside that they are familiar with and can run with.

Now as to family visits it is for any blood relative or spouse (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Grandma, Granpa), so yes you can most certainly have a family visit.

Your son, once mainlined is eligble to recieve a quarterly package, I believe I mentioned the orientation thing in another post. He would be able to tell you if he has completed his classification hearing and orientation lasts a couple weeks when they arrive at a new location. You should be able to call the institution and get his housing number and bunk. Most of the time they will deliver mail to newbies without their cell and bunk info. But after a week or two they will return it to you.

I know it's a scary time for you right now and I can't say it will all be fine based on my experiance. But you will find when you visit and talk to your son that they just somehow figure out how to get along under severe circumstances. And when that day comes that you see for yourself he's able to handle it, that will be the day that some relief comes your way.

Hang in there!

Richard

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have been down since I heard he was transferred to Folsom. Some of it is frustration, having to start all over again with how things work. I really appreciate all of the information that I have received by very caring people. It really helps get through this chapter of life.


I am so glad that I found the PTO website. I would be a basket case without all of the information I have received.

Thanks ....:)

Which Prison Old or New Folsom then I might be able to shed a little more light for you cause my man is locked up out there.

My son is at Old Folsom.

I tried calling today to see if I could find out when I might be able to visit and when I could send a quarterly package. Didn't wade through the phone tree very well.

Any information about OF would be much appreciated.

Thanks.....:)

KM~
What Richard said! :)
Also, hang in there! One of the reasons I'm still "sane" is that I don't worry about the things I can't control. If I spent all the time I want to worry about my husband actually worrying, I'd never get anything done! It's easier said than done, but I do want to tell you about my best friend's son. He went to OF at the same age as your son. He actually has flourished there. He met some good friends that showed him how to be a better man, and he's coming out soon. He was just a baby back then and I've watched him grow up into a nice man that will do well if he maintains his Spiritual beliefs.
Best,
Wendy