Hello everyone, i have been reading some of the threads but haven't found one where people in California share their family visit experienses. I found one for N.Y but it felt kind of odd posting in that one, since their visits are so different from ours in California. :D So in case there isn't one how about starting one? Or if there is one can someone direct me to it please?? I thought it would be a fun thing to do for us who are so lucky to get an opportunity to spend time with our loved one. :)

I haven't seen a thread regarding family visits either...it seems like no one likes to answer questions regarding family visits for some reason - maybe they're only a few of US lucky ones :)
Where do you visit?

when i had a visit with my son last month at csaft i had no problems and enjoy it very much. i was nice since i hadnt seen him in four months. i spent about 6 hours with him. we played games and he eat like the world was coming to end. plus every two hours we went outside for fifteen minutes. that was great to get up and get fresh air. im hoping to go soon. plus we are only going to go once a month because we live so far plus then they wont cut our visit short.

We get family visits at Ironwood every three months in fact our next FV is coming up May 21 - 23. We order food from the vending machine company before we get assigned our date. We arrive Saturday morning around 9:00, we wait until about 10:00 for Ms. Martin the Family Visiting Coordinator to go through our bags to make sure we are not bringing in items not allowed. Ms. Martin who is so nice, takes us into our apartment around 11:00 or so and we get to spend a wonderful weekend with my husband until about 9:00 am Monday morning.

We watch TV together, play games, make food, we have a picnic outside on the grass, we play outside and for that weekend we can pretend we are home together spending a weekend together and that everything is back to normal.

They are the best thing in the world, we look forward to them more than anything in the world.

Well that is my story about our family visits in California.

Laurie

The Family Visits Are All The Same The Only Thing That Changes Is The Stuff You Are Allowed To Bring In But Same Thing Zacks Wife Said Is How It Goes

Great idea Grumpy's wife. I was also looking for something on family visits in California, not much luck till now. Thanks....

Hopefully I will get family visits. He just got transfered to prison so I'm not sure yet.

My Husband was recently transfered to CSATF. Any information would be helpful. Does CSATF have trilers/apartments for family visits? How far ahead can they be scheduled? We live in Washington state, so I don't even know what part of California he's is. (Neither does he) Thanks!

Did anyone's man have to go before a committee to see if the family visits were going to be approved?

I want to thank you guys for answering to my thread, i had given up on anyone replying. I don't know why people don't want to share such a wonderful expirence that few of us are lucky to get. i would like for us to keep going with this thread. When i read the one in New York i was really envious on how they all got to know eachother and share from what they do in the visit to what they go through planning for their visit. And sharing their feelings when they get there and when they have to leave again to wait for their next one. I for one am lucky to get to spend 3 wonderfull days with my husband. As a matter of fact i have a visit on May 23rd and for those of you who get them can imagine the anxiety i'm feeling of being with my husband again. To be able to to be a family for at least 3 days and forget about the outside world. I hope we can keep this thread going it would be a nice place to come to after such a wonderful experience. I will keep checking in.

Did anyone's man have to go before a committee to see if the family visits were going to be approved?


Unfortunately we don't get family visits but not everyone qualifies for them. These are some of the reasons that the men could be denied family visits. If he's been convicted of any sex crimes, ever been convicted of Domestic Violence (regardless if you weren't the victim), if he's a lifer without a date, if he's been convicted of any offense that includes endangering a child, if he's ever been convicted of transporting/distributing drugs in prison or Conspiracy to transport/distribute drugs in prison, etc... I know there are a lot more reasons why someone would be denied family visits but I can't think of the rest. Those are the most common.

I have family visits at Mule Creek in Ione. Just got back Thursday, in fact!! Visits there are 10 am Mon to 8am Thurs or 10 am Fri to 8am Mon. He orders food ahead of time, or you order for next time before you leave. The staff is really nice. They just changed family visiting officers from a woman to a guy which is kinda strange. It was different having a guy go through my stuff, even though he was totally cool about it. We get visits every 5 weeks. There are 6 units, but I've never seen more than 3 occupied at the same time. I go during the week, so maybe there are more people on the weekends.
From a personal standpoint, I never realized how valuable this would be. I knew how badly I wanted to be with him, but it's turned out to be more than that. With no distractions and nowhere to go, we are both forced by circumstance to work out whatever issues come up between us. And since addicts cope with most things by hiding from them, it's been really good for him to have to look at things and deal with them. I think our marriage has been made much stronger simply from that. And it really helps the rest of the time to know that you have that uninterrupted time coming. Phone bills are down!

And Sugie...He did have to go before a committee, but it was no big deal. The whole process took about a month. We had our first visit 10 weeks after he hit the mainline, and that was after they cancelled us once and we rescheduled.
And I think most S/O's don't get family visits either.

I was curious, how different are they from NY? Like the process or the way they look or what you can bring? ;)

Of course I've never had one in NY, so I can't compare, but at Mule Creek ......
The process is pretty much like regular visit processing, except you have your clear plastic bag of stuff they have to go through. Still have to pass the metal detector, but no pat search or anything like that. The units are two side by side, like a duplex. Two bedroom units, one with a double bed, one with two twins. Some units have a stove and combo convection/microwave, some just the microwave. Small stall showers, no tub. Small yards, fenced in with chain link, topped with barbed wire. (No razor wire for us!!) The guys have to count every four hours, including all night (midnight and 4 am) Fully dressed, all the way to the shoes, which isn't much fun at 4 am!!! We can bring hygiene items in small, clear containers, a reasonable amount of clothing with very few restrictions. I can bring in clothes they would never let me wear to visiting. Games, cards, paperbacks, puzzles, as long as they are searchable. No outside food, no cameras, no drugs, even tylenol, unless you have a prescription AND a note from your doctor. What else do you want to know???

sounds very similiar to what we have to do, I was just curious how it is for you guys. We have only 4 counts, not in the middle of the night. where I am you go for like 44 hrs...and you bring lots of food but not pre-cooked food, some ladies can bring pre-cooked food in other facilities. You stay in house and you can cook and watch movies, listen to music, take pictures, hang out on the porch and even bbq. You get to go back like every 2-3 mths

I think I might give up the extra day in exchange for decent food and photo op's!! :thumbsup: We don't have CD or DVD or VCR, :( so the only movies we get are the two showing on the prison network that week. This week was Jersey Girl and Collateral. Other than that, it's broadcast radio and about 5 local TV channels. 2-3 months sounds about like here. Each facility is different, depending on how many people are using the facilities. Mule Creek has lots of guys that don't qualify, so I think that's why we get them so frequently.
But I'm not complaining!:D

And thanks for asking!!:haha: I love thinking about it.... only 4 and a half weeks until next time!:love: WOO-HOO!!!!!

Me too, June 11th, my wedding anniversary is June 12th :)

:thumbsup: Wow! Great timing! Although I expect to go June 13, after that it's July 25 and my birthday is the 27th! :yay: The best birthday for me! We've been together ONCE on my birthday and never on our anniversary (Jan. 17):(

I have family visits at Mule Creek in Ione. Just got back Thursday, in fact!! Visits there are 10 am Mon to 8am Thurs or 10 am Fri to 8am Mon. He orders food ahead of time, or you order for next time before you leave. The staff is really nice. They just changed family visiting officers from a woman to a guy which is kinda strange. It was different having a guy go through my stuff, even though he was totally cool about it. We get visits every 5 weeks. There are 6 units, but I've never seen more than 3 occupied at the same time. I go during the week, so maybe there are more people on the weekends.
From a personal standpoint, I never realized how valuable this would be. I knew how badly I wanted to be with him, but it's turned out to be more than that. With no distractions and nowhere to go, we are both forced by circumstance to work out whatever issues come up between us. And since addicts cope with most things by hiding from them, it's been really good for him to have to look at things and deal with them. I think our marriage has been made much stronger simply from that. And it really helps the rest of the time to know that you have that uninterrupted time coming. Phone bills are down!
I HAVE FAMILY VISITS WITH MY HUSBAND AT NKSP IN DELANO, BUT IT IS ONLY FOR 2 DAYS (SAT,11AM TO MON, 9AM) AND WE ONLY GET THEM EVERY 3 MONTHS. OUR UNIT HAS 2 BEDROOMS, NO MICROWAVE, WE HAVE A STOVE. AND WE ORDER OUR FOOD THROUGH A MARKET LIST THAT IS PROVIDED FOR US. WE JUST CHOOSE WHAT WE WANT TO BUY FROM THE LIST. WE DON'T GET TO BBQ, AND WE HAVE NO GRASS AT ALL!! AND OUR BARBED WIRE HAS RAZORS.THE VISITING COORDINATOR IS VERY NICE, THOUGH THEY CHANGE THEM OFTEN. DOES THE VISITING OFFICER @ MULE CREEK CHECK EVERYTHING??? MINE DOESN'T EVEN OPEN MY BAGS ANYMORE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING FAMILY VISITS THERE FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. MY HUSBAND MAY BE MOVING SOON.

Mule Creek just changed visiting officers, and yes, he does check everything. But he says he plans to be there many years after I quit coming, so I don't think they change very often. I had only had 4 visits with the old visiting officer, but she was pretty darn thorough, too. Not that I would even attempt to put anything past them, my visits are MUCH too precious to risk. And after reading these boards, I'm even more grateful because I see how much I have compared to most.

Hello Denver's Wife, I also have my visits in Ione. And you aint' kidding about the new officer checking everything. He is NO JOKE!! But i can't complain he has been really nice to me. I can't believe i've never seen you there i'm also there every 30 days and i go only on the weekdays. I've been going there for 5 yrs. Probaby cause our 30 days land on different times on the calender. Like my next visit is on May 23rd and my visit in June will be the 27th. I won't be getting one in July because of the 30 day thing, but the good thing is that our 12th Wedding Aniversary is on Aug. 1st and that's when i'll be getting my visit. We have celebrated our Anniversary together on a visit for the past 4 yrs. And my birthday or his also. It's either on one of the days i'm there or the day i'm leaving. So either way we get to spend some of it together. Which is wonderful, there is nothing like your husband or you saying Happy B-Day @ midnight. We also had a visit this year on Valentine's day which was the best!!! (you can imagine) LOL. Early congrats on your Anniversary MS. G. How many years will that be?? Happy to hear you guys will be togather on such an important date. I just want to say again how happy i am that you guys are keeping this thread going. Let's keep it up girls.. I know we have lots of things to share......

Hey ladies I’m really glad to hear all of the excitement in all of your posts. I’m almost positive that my husband and I will qualify for family visits. Just some quick questions…please. Does anyone know if Tehachapi is only a receiving? That’s where my husband is and I was just wondering if he is going to stay there or not. And one more thing how far ahead do they schedule your visits? You guys seem to know the dates pretty far in advance. Thank you ladies…I love hearing your posts!!! Keep it up!!! :thumbsup:


Melissa Magana

I know some people can serve their sentence at Tehachapi, however my husband was at Tehachapi for reception only and transferred out of there after about two months.

Grumpyswife:
How do you know that we haven't crossed paths???? I don't usually go every 30 days, it's tough to get that much time off work. Did you once have an issue with a metal detector???

Our family visits were APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure when our date is yet. Yay!!!!!

GO GIRL!!!:D :D :D
I can't tell you how happy I am for you. Everyone thinks they know what it would/will be like, but it's never like that!! It's better!!
You should have your date soon. At Mule Creek they send him a paper to send you to sign and send back, it has your date on it.
Mrs Grumpy and I know we can go every 30 days, and we always go in on Monday, so we can figure it out! My first visit was about 6 weeks wait, you'll need to send food $$ if he doesn't have any on his books. And you can send in $ for visits that they won't subtract from!
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Doin' the dance of joy!

Congrats Gina on your approval, I'm really happy for you, it's such a wonderful experience that no matter how much you prepare for it, your never really ready. I've been going to family visits for about 8 yrs and each visit is as exiting as the first one. It's always a new experience!!! :) Keep us posted & like Denvers wife said make sure he has money on his books by the time he puts in the application or they'll send it back & make the process longer.
Denverswife I don't think we have crossed paths because i saw your pic & you don't look familiar. Like you, whenever I go there is usually only 2 or 3 of us. And 2 months in a row that i went last year I was the only one going in. And this year every visit i've gone to has been with the same lady. I know for sure me and her are going in again on Monday. Hopefully this time i'll see a new face! LOL!!! About the metal detector, girl i've been doing this tooooo long if there is one thing i know to do by now is not to wear any kind of metal. I like my processing to go as smoothly as possible. :) I thought you went every 30 days, sorry my bad :) Than i have to be really thankfull that my job allows me to go every 30 days. My work schedule is working 4, 10 hr shifts from friday to monday. That's why i go in on mondays because then i only miss 1 day of work a month all i need to do is find another supervisor to cover for me. Or if i don't want to go througf all that trouble i just call in sick, but i really don't like doing that. Only as a last resort. Well i look forwaed to hearing more from you ladies!! Take care , talk to you soon!!

Hello,
Presently My Husband Is At Chuckawalla And The Family Visits There Are Only 2 Days. They Check All Your Bags And You Do Have To Walk Through A Metal Detector. They Call Him For Count 5 Times A Day And 4/5 Is During The Wee Hours Of The Night. We Can Sit Outside On The Porch Or Stay Inside And Watch Movies. They Do Not Allow Us To Take In Cameras So There Is No Picture Taking And There Is No Radio. We Do Have A Nice Time Together But We Truly Miss Our Family Visits At Ironwood Where We Would Have 5 Days Together And The Family Visiting Coordinator Was Very Nice, Understanding And Always Willing To Work With The Family Members To Make Sure The Visits Went Well.

Oh Yeah, The Reason We Would Get 5 Days At Ironwood Is Because I Live Over 6,000 Miles Away. I Travel From New York To California To Visit My Husband. Not All Facilities Take That Into Consideration. Like I Said We Only Get 2 Days At Chuckawalla.

I have been looking for this kind of information!!! This is a WONDERFUL thread...keep the stories coming!!!

How do you get the forms to start the family visiting process? My husband was just excluded from CRC and will be heading back to Tracy for reclassification. We would like to have family visits as soon as possible... any help would be much appreciated.

He gets that paperwork from his counselor when he gets to mainline. Nothing you can do in reception. Took us only about 8 weeks in Mule Creek!

I had a visit last week and it seems he's given me tonsillitis, the infectious beast!!
He told me he had the flu but was pretty much better. Then he got sick again when he got back to the cellblock. 4 days after I got back, I started getting sick and today the DR says, "not flu, staph tonsillitis!" And now HE has to try to get checked out. He's a visiting porter and he loves the kids...he needs a throat culture. Serves him right! BRAT!!!

Does anyone know if Jamestown (near Modesto, CA) & the firecamps in California allow family visits? My husband is being sentenced tmrw, probably back to Pitchess detention center, then Delano or Jamestown till he gets to one of the Cali firecamps. So, any info on Delano, Jamestown, & firecamps would be SPECTACULAR! (sorry about that run-on sentence/ question!)

My husband is at Salinas Valley and we got family visits every 3 months. THey were wonderful!!! I got to stay from 10:00 friday morning until about 11:00 Sunday Morning. I didnt even mind the guy going through and touching all of my stuff. It was worth it......They have been the best thing about this horrible exeprience. For those two days we got to feel like we were married again and I feel like this time we spent together is going to help us both transition back to normal life much faster when he comes home. The other times he was in prison we didnt get family visits and when he came home it took us while to get used to each other and feeling "normal" again. I think everyone should be able to have these visits. I know it has made it easier for my husband because he knows he has to behave to be able to get them.

Hello PLPIPER,
My friend's husband is @ Jamestown and they do get Family Visits exactly every 3 months. Not a day sooner or later. They only have 2 trailors. Many times though she has been the only one going in for a visit. Hope this helps.

My husband was convicted of a assailt with a deadly weapon. Will that get us denied for our family visit??

Does anyone know if Jamestown (near Modesto, CA) & the firecamps in California allow family visits? My husband is being sentenced tmrw, probably back to Pitchess detention center, then Delano or Jamestown till he gets to one of the Cali firecamps. So, any info on Delano, Jamestown, & firecamps would be SPECTACULAR! (sorry about that run-on sentence/ question!)

Firecamps do have family visits. Not sure of the time frame in between. I can't have family visits, taken away from violent charges from a long time ago.

I am getting ready to go on my first family visit. My husband is at a Cali fire camp and can have a visit every thirty days. The visits last from Thursday to Sunday. I can't wait!!! :)

what firecamp is your husband at? every 30 days! and for 4 days?!! gosh, thats cool. how long did they take for your first one?

we are not married so does that mean we can't have family visits?

we are not married so does that mean we can't have family visits?

Not until you are Mrs.Allen.

And most California Fire Camps have family visiting.

Future Mrs: you have to supply a certified copy of your marriage license. Or a certified copy of your birth certificate, if you are immediate family. The State gets to decide what constitutes a family.

Hello Ladies!

Thank you all for sharing your stories. I have been approved for awhile now and our family visit is Aug 24 to Aug 26th. I'm excited and nervous. Trying to find out if you can take lingerie and just because it's been a long time. WOOHOO! More excited then anything. Keep up the great posts I have enjoyed reading them.

Lingerie is OK at Mule Creek, even underwires, because your packed clothes don't go through the metal detector. Don't WEAR any, just pack it!

My Husband was recently transfered to CSATF. Any information would be helpful. Does CSATF have trilers/apartments for family visits? How far ahead can they be scheduled? We live in Washington state, so I don't even know what part of California he's is. (Neither does he) Thanks!
As far as I know they are apartments. Also, CSATF is in Corcoran aka the armpit of California...it's in the middle of nowhere just south of the middle of the state, right in the central valley. Slightly south of Fresno. The heat is terrible during the summer bit it's been cooling down a bit.

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;11;116/st/20060302/e/I%27m+in+Matt%27s+arms%21%21/dt/21/k/7853/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)

As far as I know they are apartments. Also, CSATF is in Corcoran aka the armpit of California...it's in the middle of nowhere just south of the middle of the state, right in the central valley. Slightly south of Fresno. The heat is terrible during the summer bit it's been cooling down a bit.

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;11;116/st/20060302/e/I%27m+in+Matt%27s+arms%21%21/dt/21/k/7853/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)



Corcoran is about an hour southwest of Fresno...Wilycarrot is right-in the middle of NO WHERE! It also gets VERY foggy in the winter time. Sometimes almost zero visibility! It is horrible.

I've had family visits at Salinas, Old Corcoran, and High Desert. They've all been great but my visit at High Desert has been the best because the food is descent and the visit is longer. You can have M-Th/ T-Fri/ or Fri-Mon at HDSP. I took the Monday thru Thursday so that I could spend six days with my husband. I went to regular visiting on Sat and Sun then family visiting from Mon-Th. It was great to see my hubby for more than three days. :D Each of the family visiting facilities that I have visited are designed the same.You stay in a little single-story apartment with two bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, kitchen, and eating area. There is also a small yard in the front.They all have furniture and kitchen acessories. At Corcoran and High Desert I was able to take my own sheets and towels which made me a bit more comfortable. I think the only irritating thing about family visits is the phone ringing every two hours during the night, from about 8pm until 6am, for count. Other than that the processing staff and accomodations are fine.

:D I FORGOT LINGERIE WAS FINE AT ALL THE PRISONS I'VE HAD FAMILY VISITS AT. LIKE DENVER'S WIFE SAID, YOU CAN EVEN TAKE IN UNDERWIRE IF YOU PACK IT IN YOUR BAG BECAUSE YOUR BELONGINGS DON'T GO THROUGH THE METAL DETECTOR. AT HSDP I WAS EVEN ABLE TO TAKE IN MY VICTORIA SECRET BODY SPRAYS (I WANTED TO MAKE THE PLACE SMELL NICE). AT THE OTHER PRISONS THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW IT.

I know that you don't have to be a spouse, hence the name "Family visits" rather than "congical visits", but has anyone had a family visit with someone who wasn't their spouse? How many people are allowed in? My dad is at HDSP in Susanville. We live in LA county, so its hard to get up there. We stay with his mother in Chico, which is about 8 hours from us, then it is another 2-3 hours to Susanville. All that to visit for 3 hours or so. I've only been going up once a year.
But now... I have a daughter. She will be 11 months next week. We saw dad the end of July. It was actually a good visit, but the stress nearly killed me. I am breastfeeding, and my daughter won't take a bottle, so I had to keep taking her to the restroom to feed her. My dad instantly fell in love with his new grand-daughter. I know it would be good for both of them to get to spend more time with each other. Should I be asking him about the family visit approval, or do I find out from the prison itself?
I worry about it being akward. I wasn't raised with him at all. We send letters, but when I visit, we are both rather quiet. His days all blend together, so he doesn't have much to talk about, and I just get all shy. I don't know why that happens. I think the setting plays a big role. Any advice?

There ARE two bedrooms in the family visiting units, and they all have had cribs in them that I've seen. So you wouldn't have to sleep in the same room or anything. He needs to initiate the process, although you will need certified copies of both your and your daughters birth certificates.

Well Ladies I am back!! I had a wonderful time on "family visit". :) It was just myself and not the kids since it was the first visit. It's been a year and boy do I feel it. :) The beds were a little uncomfortable and the pillows, the toilet leaked every time we flushed it, and the getting up for count. oh my goodness. lol It was crazy but all and all it is a wonderful privileage that I appreciate and enjoyed in spite of the little things that seemed wrong. For the next visit I need to figure out what I can bring to spice up the visit. The girls might go on the next?!? :)one and our son after that since they can't go all at the same time. Well I am really looking forward to the next one. Thank you all for your responses, I took lingerie and he loved it of course. :)

I'm daydreaming of a family visit, Hee... Hee..( how to get it, I would REALLY appreciate it!)

I WANT A FAMILY VISIT!!! lol;) ;)

does anyone know about family visits at chuckawalla, like what can you take in as far as hygene, like what kind of soaps did u take and are you allowed to take in like body wash and your own sheets and towels or how does it work there?