I called the prison this morning to request a special visit on a week day. I was told that there was no staff to supervise the visitation. I was also told that there had been a permanent staffing cut of 20 for that prison. Since I am in
Texas, can anyone tell me about the tax funds situation? Has anyone else had any problems?

NJ~ I guess if there is a shortage of staff then they wouldn't have the manpower to have a officer in the visitation room when they are needed elsewhere.

Usually you hear that the staff is overworked and underpaid, but to cut 20 positions...I sure hope there not cutting themselves short for the security of our loved ones along with themselves.

Let us know if you hear anything else.

Something is wrong with this news. The ADC doesn't have the best credibility in my book. Some of the folks are just not nice. What is the political climate?

NJtexas,,
have him put in for the special visit as that is how they are suppose to follow the format.. the visitor is not suppose to request it. the prisons are all understaffed in ADOC if you go to the az doc site and see the statistics on the understaffing of all the system,,,even understaffed prisons will give a visit but he has to put in the right paperwork for a special visit then they have to approve it within 15 days,,,
then he has to inform you in regards to the dates approved etc.. they wont tell you what you want to know as that is not procedure.. once approved you can call visitation to get info.. but he must follow the proper procedure..

He did request the special visit - and they said they were understaffed and would approve a visit only on the weekend during regular visits. They told him that I could appeal, but he could do no more.

sorry there you just said you called them .. that was why I assumed he had not done that... what prison is it.. there are stats you can check which shows staffing vacancies in all the different prisons and point out that other short staffed prisons are doing visits.. is it private or state run?
I would contact the DW or Warden to appeal this .. as that is not right.. I am sorry you are going through this . I am going on a special visit to tucson next week and I would not like them to say no... we are actaully geting more time there then we did at lewis...
good luck

NJTexas,

If you are referring to Lewis prison you are in luck. Call and talk directly to Warden Bartos. He's a jackass, but security is not first on his list of priorites and you should get your visit, understaffing or not. Last month there was a yard that was 14 staff members down and he sent a female officer home because he didn't liker her nail polish. The yard ran at "normal operations" anyway. Because of this, I think you should get your visit. If you are not referring to Lewis Prison I think Arriana is right and you should call and talk to the DW of that yard. YOU SHOULD GET YOUR VISIT. If they are understaffed that is their problem NOT YOURS.

Which is better - a call or a letter. I was told to write. My son is in Winslow.

Which is better - a call or a letter. I was told to write. My son is in Winslow.

i would definitely do both. you may even want to email a letter from the DOC website, heres is the page:

http://www.azcorrections.gov/Email.htm#Prisons

go to mary hennessy/winslow.

call with the same questions, and tell them an email is on the way for bothof your records. hope this helps.