Hello. This is my first time here. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions.

My boyfriend is serving a (halftime) 40 month sentence (so 20 months). He was in county jail for 3, then got moved to DVI in Tracy, and I just got a letter from him today saying he is being moved to Avenal (sp?).

First, about visitation. I submitted my from at the end of May and we still haven't received any notification one way or another about my approval status. I'm assuming I will be approved seeing as how I've never received so much as a speeding ticket. However, we are going on nearly 3 months here! He has put in 3 requests to find out status and received no response. I called the visitation line and "played dumb" last week and they informed me that I wasn't on his list to visit. So my question is what do I do now? Do I submit another form to Avenal (I've sent 2 to Tracy) and hope that they have things a little bit more together? Or who do I call to get through to someone that can do something about this?

Second, I'm assuming I'll be receiving calls from him soon...does anyone know what the rate of the collect calls charges are like there, and if they have certain days or times that they are only allowed to call, so I know when to kind of expect that first call?

Third, what are visits like? What can I wear? I understand the basics from the handbook, but does my skirt have to have a slip? What do tops have to be like (how much "neck" do they need to cover, how long do short sleeves need to be, ect.). I heard that they make you take any top layer off and base your clothing on that, so if I was wearing a sleeveless but very conservative top with a cardigan, would that be deemed "illegal"?

Anyway, I know that these are very specific questions, and I thank anyone in advance for replying.

Have a nice day!

im not to sure about when he can call but it seems like they can call most any time. if you live in ca the phone calls arent to bad. i pay 5.30 for 15 minutes and he is 4 hours away. hopefully its that low for you. since he has moved i would put in another visiting form. it cant hurt. its supose to follow but who knows. when my son was at wasco we sent out papers in and we never found out anything for 3 months and the lady was nice looked us up and said we have been on the list for 2 months. as far as the time if he got 40 months first they take off time in county then they do 50%. in county they count there days different. i know in san bernardino you do 2 then get one free. i cant give you any information about that prison since my son hasnt been there. but there will be some one soon. good luck!!

He'll probably be on reception status for the first week or two after he moves. That means no phone and no visits. After he moves, I'd send in another form. If you haven't already been processed, Tracy may not bother when they see that he has moved. You won't need a slip if your skirt isn't see thru. Sleeveless is ok in some places, not in others, so be sure to have him send you the rules list when he gets there. But in your example it would be a no-go. Always take extra clothes so you can change if you have to.

O.K...Let's see.....Visitor phone number at Avenal= 1-559-386-0587 x5400
If you have a blank form, I would call the Visitor's Center to get "their" address. It may be the PO Box 8, or not. Make sure that when you send it in, you mark it "Attention Visitin Center".
Phones are turned off at 9:30 pm, if not sooner. The COs like to use the phones as a control gimmick at times. Once he gets there, he will be allowed 1 phone call in the first month, or, until he is "classified" (work job, or not). Depending on his classification, he may have full, partial, or NO phone privileges.
As for clothing, conservative is best. I wear black shorts and a grey shirt. There was a young black gal there today who was wearing white below the knee shorts/capris(?) who was told they were see-through and she would have to change before they would allow her in. Call the state hotline for the guidelines on clothing 1-800-374-8474. Remember, it is usually hot there (today it was 94ish) so dress for comfort but in good taste. Your guy will not be the only one seeing you at visitation. Visiting is done in an open "high school cafeteria" style setting. Plunging necklines, skirts with slits up the side etc., (basically anything you look "hot" in) won't be allowed, first off, and second, if they were allowed, not only would all the guys be looking, but it might piss off some of their women too.
Hope this helps.

Hello,
I read on PTO that Avenal wasnt transferring in any new inmates due to a outbreak of ( I think it was Hep B). Unforunately I see that isnt true. My fiance' is at Ironwood right now but due to classification ( which is a good thing I guess) is now scheduled to be moved to Avenal which isnt so good. I've heard a lot of not so good things concerning lifers going there and plus it's further away from me which means 4-5 hr drive from san diego (right? anybody know for sure?) instead of the 3 i drive now to Ironwood.
Well thanks for listening any info would be appreciated.
sharon

Ok well first of all it's at least 5 hours from San Deigo considering what time you leave to drive up there
The DIRECT line to visiting is 1-559-386-0256 the lines are open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10-1 ONLY!!!! BE PREPARED AS IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET THROUGH ONLY 1 PERSON ANSWERING THE PHONE LINES......Once inside you can sign yourself up for the following 2 weeks in the visiting rooms.
They don't like white, green, tan or khaki .... I wear sleeveless all the time, no problems there. They said at one point NO shoes that have tongs through the toes but I have seen them many times. The sensors are set EXTREMELY low!!!! every little thing sets them off :( not like before.
Vending machines well they are less than desireable someone took over the contract and is about to lose it again so they don't have it filled 1/2 the time. We have actually ran out of everything including drinks before :angry: :angry:
Yard is daily unless a problem happens.... phone sign ups are the nite before and if your guys number ends in say 1 then tomorrow nite or any day that ends in 1 will have first sign up then open to the rest... phones are on during the day also and depending on the yard he can call many times if no line is behind him.
What nanoguy is saying I have never heard of as I know many that don't hold jobs in there and still have full use of the phones ...
Most of the tables are only like 18 inches off the floor so you have to bend over to put things on it and you have straight back chairs... The PATIO's are closed now until they get the extension on the top completed then they are to open back up again.
If you need any other information let me know maybe I can help ya out if possible.

About visiting I would call 1-559-386-0587 and ask for the Visiting Sgt. she is very nice and helpful...

Steve's Girl is correct, the Visiting Appointment Line is 386-0256 which is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 10am to 1pm only. If you call at any other time, use extension 5400 to get through to Visitor Processing and they can answer your questions.

Wow! Ok guys, thanks so much for answering those questions...I appreciate it. :)

Your more than welcome, I have been dealing with Avenal for little over 3 years now :(

My friance' just got endorsed to Avenal and is on the transportation list. So he will be there soon. Will I need to reapply for visiting. I know Chino makes you if they move there. I was wondering about others. I thought the approval followed them.

Thanks, '

Jas

My friance' just got endorsed to Avenal and is on the transportation list. So he will be there soon. Will I need to reapply for visiting. I know Chino makes you if they move there. I was wondering about others. I thought the approval followed them.

Thanks, '

Jas

you shouldn't need to reapply and Chino never made me but after three years I did have to update since I had change addresses:)

His list should go with him to Avenal, I'm not sure where your man is coming from but Avenal isn't a place I would recommend to anyone anymore. That's sad considering it used to be a fairly good, well as good as a prison could be.
GOODLUCK to you both~!~

Thanks so much, he is coming from Wasco. I am getting so excited!!! :)

HE'S AT AVENAL!!!! He arrived yesterday, what do I do now??????

What are you wanting to know?

Since he just arrived there I was kind of wondering about the actual process. I am so ready to see him. I didn't know if there was a waiting period or anything. I understand that the appointment aree full for this weekend and the next (per appointment center @ Avenal today) She suggested I try back early on Monday to make an appointment for the 18th of Feb. I am hating to wait that long. What has been ANYONE'S experience with walking in??

I am also wondering if this is too soon, since he just got there. Any experiences will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jasmine

If you've already been approved for visiting, then the walk-in goes something like this....
Get there early, say, 8am, and get a numbered visiting slip. (I got there last weekend at 8:40am and got number 69). At 10am, they start taking numbers 1-5, then 6-15, etc., about every 5 minutes. (#26 was called by 10:15)..Number 69, (me) got called at a little after 11am. Going through processing and getting into the visiting room by 11:40am. My son arrived about 12:15pm and our visit was on....:)

Ok then it is not a SUPER nightmare, at least not that weekend, not bad. I still have to call and make sure he will be able to have visits this weekend, (correct) since he just got there. I just don't want to leave any stone unturned. You know what I mean I'm sure :)

Thanks so much

Jas

Hey Jas,
I am going up next weekend (from San Diego too) maybe we'll see each other there. I understand from a friend of mine that going up without an appointment is not to bad at all. The process usually goes pretty quick I understand so you should be okay. I would call & make sure he can have visits though (why he shouldn't be I dont know) 5 hours is a long ride for nothing.
Hope you get your visit and God Bless...

OMD sharon I am sitting here debating...should I go or not! I would just feel horrible if I can't see him. I called his counselor today to see and she referred me to visiting. Can visiting be able to tell me whether or not an inmate specifically get visits? I was just thinking about all the orientation processes, maybe they have codes or something...who knows.

Jas

Yes, just know his last name and CDC # they will tell you :)
and it isn't really a big issue when going through walk in either so no worries just enjoy your visit :D

ok thanks. my only worry was whether there was some kind of inital orientation or processing he might still be going through. That was about it. I am thinking I am going to go ahead and go.

SHARON - I will PM you my number, I would love to talk offline. Jas