I'm just wondering how the different prisons compare. My husband got to Mule Creek in Ione In October 04. We were approved for family visits about 4 weeks later. We had out first visit in mid December. Mule Creek has 6 units, but I've never seen more than 3 wives there, but since I always go in on Mondays, maybe the Friday-Monday slots are busier. We can visit every 5 weeks, but I can't' take quite that much time off work. He becomes ineligable 60 days to the gate. We got in at 11 am, the guys show up around 12:30 and we leave 4 mornings later at 8am. The food choices suck, but I realize how lucky we are to be together at all..... you know!
I'd be interested to hear about other facilities programs.

My man is also in Mule Creek...but he can't have family visits...he's a lifer. :( I didn't know that you get that long...4 mornings later. That is so cool! Take care...

Yep, almost 3 full days. But he has to go out, fully dressed, to count every four hours, all night long. I'm 45 years old and theres a reason us old broads don't have babies...I can't do the every fours hours thing anymore!! By the time I leave I'm so sleep deprived the 3.5 hour drive home is sometimes iffy.

Every 4 hours, huh? What a pain in the neck! :blah: Just be careful on your drives home...falling asleep at the wheel is terrilbe...I've done it. :rolleyes:

I'm just wondering how the different prisons compare. My husband got to Mule Creek in Ione In October 04. We were approved for family visits about 4 weeks later. We had out first visit in mid December. Mule Creek has 6 units, but I've never seen more than 3 wives there, but since I always go in on Mondays, maybe the Friday-Monday slots are busier. We can visit every 5 weeks, but I can't' take quite that much time off work. He becomes ineligable 60 days to the gate. We got in at 11 am, the guys show up around 12:30 and we leave 4 mornings later at 8am. The food choices suck, but I realize how lucky we are to be together at all..... you know!
I'd be interested to hear about other facilities programs.
My husband is @ NKSP, in Delano. He has been there almost 5 years, and we only get visits starting on Saturday about 11am, ending Monday @ 9am. You are very lucky to have more family visit time with your husband. You say that the food sucks, what do you order off of? I am just curious. We get a food list and it really isn't too bad. Hope to hear from you:)

Moved out of the Introductions Thread to here for more views.

Richard

The food lists are pretty much vending machine food. Nothing that requires cooking, just heating. Lots of sugar, salt and grease. The only fresh foods are milk, and apples. The only veggies available are mixed frozen. One kind of cereal, and oatmeal.

The food lists are pretty much vending machine food. Nothing that requires cooking, just heating. Lots of sugar, salt and grease. The only fresh foods are milk, and apples. The only veggies available are mixed frozen. One kind of cereal, and oatmeal.
:yuck: EWWWWW!!! :yuck: That sound pretty bad for 4 days. I can't even stand vending machine foods at regular visits. In delano we have to cook. We get to order meat, eggs, bacon, pretty much what a "normal" home would have, also some frozen foods, like pizza, and apple pie. Thanks for responding:thumbsup:. I have found this site to be so helpful!!! My husband may be moving soon, so it is nice to know what the other prison programs are like. Thanks again:) .

Hello,
When My Husband Was In Ironwood We Would Get 5 Days Together For Our Family Visit Because I Live Out Of Town All The Way In New York. It Was 5 Wonderful Days And The Food Like You Have Said Is Not That Good But Edible Plus My Husband Would Briing Some Of The Food He Bought From Canteen And We Would Make Some Delicious Meals. Now He Has Been Transfered To Chuckawalla Where They Only Give You 2 Days And The Food Is Worse Then Ever. We Are Blessed To Be Able To Have Family Visits And Spend Some Quality Time Together But Come On 2 Days Compared To 5 Days Is Nothing And Like You Said They Have To Go Outside Fully Dressed In Themiddle Of The Night For Count. Where The Heck Do They Think They Are If They Are In The Housing Unit And They Answer The Phone When It Rings. I Think By Them Answering The Phone And Stating Their Name Should Be Enough. It Deprives Their Sleep As Well As The Family Members Visiting. Well, We Hope To Be Able To Move To A Better Place Where We Can Go Back To Having 5 Day Family Visiting.

At Centinela We Are Waiting 5 To 6 Months Between Family Visits We Only Get 43 Hours Together. We Get About 3 Calls Durning The Day And At Night It Is Like Every 2 To 3 Hours. I Would Love 3 Whole Days That Would Be Great We Get In A 12pm And Have To Leave At 9 Am 2 Days Later Wow You Guys Are Lucky. Our Last One Was April 7 Our Next One Is Sept 29th.
The Food Is Not So Bad We Order From Some Deli And Get Fresh Meat And Vegis. I Guess Were Lucky There. Love Elizabeth

Ekate...
Hi. Question, Are you having to wait a long time due to his custody status or is that just the wait time. My love is Close A custody and in a year Close B for four years. They tell us he can't family visit until he is out of Close B. Sorry I rambled but I'm hoping they will cut us a break and allow us a visit once he is close B. I've heard it' been done so long as my love stays out of trouble. Any insight? Thanks Soneat

I know at Mule Creek, there are people who only get visits every six months. It's a different custody status, but I'm not sure how it works.

No It Is Not Custody Reasons Their Is Just To Many People Getting Family Visits. There Is A Lot Of Inmates Visitng With Their Parents And Other Close Family. Closed Custody Inmates Are Not Allowed Family Visits. So They Have To Wait Till They Are Off Closed Custody To Apply For One.
No Closed Custody A Or B..

3177. Family Visiting (Overnight).
Institution heads shall maintain family visiting policies and procedures.

Family visits are extended overnight visits, provided for eligible inmates and their immediate family members, commensurate with institution security, space availability, and pursuant to these regulations. Each institution shall provide all necessary accommodations, except for food, at no cost to the inmates and their visitors. Institutions shall require eligible inmates to purchase all food for the family visit through the institution family visiting coordinator. Each institution family visiting menu shall provide a balanced variety of nutritional selections. At all CDC conservation camps, the visitors shall be required to bring all food for the visit.

Persons with only a common-law relationship to the inmate will not be recognized as immediate family members for the purpose of family visiting. Only those immediate family members as defined in section 3000 are authorized for family visits.

(a) When a bonafide and verified foster relationship exists between an inmate and another person, by virtue of being raised in the same foster family, the person may be approved for family visiting with the prior approval of the institution head or designee.



(b) Family visiting is a privilege. Eligibility for family visiting shall be limited by the assignment of the inmate to a qualifying work/training incentive group as outlined in section 3044.

(1) Family visits shall not be permitted for inmates convicted of a violent offense involving a minor or family member or any sex offense, which includes but is not limited to the following Penal Code sections: 187 (when the victim is a family member or minor); 192 (when the victim is a family member or minor); 243.4 261; 261.5, 262; 264.1; 266c; 266j; 273a; 273d; 273.5; 273.6; 285; 286; 288; 288a; 288.2; 288.5; 289; 289.5; 311.1; 311.2; 311.3; 311.4; 313.1; 314; or 647.6.

(A) Inmates may be prohibited from family visiting where substantial documented evidence or information of the misconduct described in section 3177(b)(1) exists, without a criminal conviction. The evidence or information appropriate for the purpose of this regulation shall include rule violation reports as well as the standard described in section 3173.1.



(B) Family visiting shall be restricted as necessary to maintain order, the safety of persons, the security of the institution/facility, and required prison activities and operations, pursuant to section 3170.



(2) Family visits shall not be permitted for inmates who are in any of the following categories: sentenced to life without the possibility of parole; sentenced to life, without a parole date established by the Board of Prison Terms; designated Close A or Close B custody; designated a condemned inmate; assigned to a reception center; assigned to an administrative segregation unit; assigned to a security housing unit; designated "C" status; guilty of one or more Division A or Division B offense(s) within the last 12 months; or guilty of narcotics distribution while incarcerated in a state prison.



(3) Family visits shall be permitted only in CDC institutions and conservation camps.



(c) Unescorted minors of the inmate's immediate family shall not participate in family visits. Exceptions include an inmate's legal spouse, the inmate's children or legal stepchildren and the inmate's own brothers or sisters when the institution head or designee approves such unchaperoned visits.



(d) Inmates shall not be eligible for a family visit while any action that restricts, suspends, or denies their contact with a visitor or visitors during regular visiting is in effect. Family visits may be revoked or suspended without such action affecting an inmate's eligibility for contact or non-contact visits.



(e) Each inmate shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension or exclusion from participation in the family visiting program, for any willful damage of the unit and/or furnishings or for failure to maintain the cleanliness of the family visiting program unit.



(f) Visitors failing to report to the visitor processing area by 11:00 a.m. without the notification and approval of the family visiting coordinator are subject to cancellation of the visit and suspension of family visiting program privileges for six months.



(g) Inmates with a disability requiring an accommodation for family visits shall give 72 hours notice of any request for accommodation.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 5058, Penal Code. Reference: Section 5054, Penal Code.