can anyone tell me anything about unit 26. My son is there and says it's ok, but I think he's only telling me what he thinks I want to hear. Parchman, ms is in the delta and thats all I know. I'm waiting on forms to fill out to visit him ,but I'm really scared to go, Not sure how I'm gonna handle it. No doubt that I will cry and I know thats not what he needs.

thanks,
lisa
*Personal contact information removed per PTO policy. Please PM this member*

Lisa,
Honey your not by yourself with this fear. Most of us have "been there and have a T-shirt" to prove it..SMILE... No I have never been to Parchman but have been to 2 other Institutions in MS. I remember well my first visit with my loved one. WE ALL CRIED!!! That is OK!!! Tears help to heal the aching soul. We are here for you and will look forward to hearing from you about your first visit. You just remember this, no matter what, that is YOUR LOVED ONE and you are going FOR THEM!!! Someone will write soon I am sure and help you as far as rules and etc. What you can bring in with you, jewlery not to wear or etc. At CMCF we cannot wear watches, earrings, only a wedding band ( one girl had to take her diamond ring back to the car, it was TOO large of a diamond), or one religious medallion is acceptable. You also need someone to tell you EXACTLY how much money you are alllowed to have on you for the visit. It differes at each facility. BE SURE to check all pockets, even in your jacket. Not even a kleenex can be in them. You will meet other families and usually if they know it is your first time they will be helpful to you. GOD BLESS and you just BE HAPPY that you can go see him. SO MANY can not go to see their loved ones. MANY inmates NEVER have visitors. What area are you living on?? How far is it to Parchaman for you to drive??
PLEASE KNOW WE CARE!!!

"I-Care"

Hi Lisa. Welcome to PTO.

I don't know anything first hand about unit 26, but I do visit at Parchman. It is one of the small units there, and the smaller units are generally not that bad. I know that you have the normal fears. I had them too, but I felt so much better knowing that the unit my husband was placed in isn't one of the larger ones there. He may share a room with about 5 guys and share a zone with around 50, but in comparison...not bad. Try to think of it as a larger version of county jail. I would assume that unit 26 is set up on the same scale as the one my husband is in.

If you need any help with visiting information, let me know. I have been going for about 2 years now and I also have a copy of the visitation rules if you have questions about them. I wish I could be there to help you out on your first visit, but I don't think that 26 visits on the same day. I could be wrong on that one though.

Hang in there. I promise, it isn't as bad as your fears, but I know you will have to see it to believe it. In the meantime, you have found a great means of support here. Anytime you need someone to talk to, we will be here for you.

If I am not mistaken unit 26 is A&D Program??? From what I understand it is a very good unit, and not alot of violence there. He is at a good camp, good but still prison as they used to say. Others here can probably help you alot more with visitation rules and procedures. Will be praying for both of you. If you ever need anything please do not hesitate to ask.

Hi,
I don't know if this is much help, but my step father in law is in unit 26. I haven't been to see him yet hope to go soon. But from what he says it isn't a bad unit. Like I said don't know how much help that was. If I can be of any help just let me know.
Wind

My friend is also in Unit 26, and he seems to like it better than the other unit he was on. Seems things are a little "quieter" there, and the violence isn't as bad. He talks sometimes of even being able to walk around the complex on a walking track, but I don't know if that is just his unit area or if all units can do that. I am kinda new to this myself. He is also able to go to church services, where specific groups come into the unit and have services for the inmates. Hope this helps some.

hello all. well i finally got approved to visit my son in unit 26. we are going this sunday. it's a 4 hour drive from here but well worth it to be able to see my son. he says it is ok and he is working on the pig farm. we are leaving our home in bay springs, ms around 5 that morning. if anyone has a message that they would like to be delivered or would like for us to tell someone hello for them just send me an email at (email removed per PTO Policy). also i would like to let everyone know that i am the prayer ministry director for jasper county miss. and if anyone is ever in need of prayer or if you would like to join our prayer group just send me an email and i will be glad to oblige. also, i have been in touch with the new directions prison ministries director, mr. fulton lindsey and he has a great program for inmates. it would be worth your while to seek him out. tell your loved ones who are inside to look him up. or at least his ministry. i hope everyone has a most blessed Thanksgiving and i will fill you in on my first visit next week. thanx and God Bless, ybiC, Ben:thumbsup:

That is great news. Have a wonderful visit and a safe trip. Can't wait to hear about it.
Happy Thanksgiving,
dam

Great news! Keep us updated!!!

hey dam and johnathan, thank you for your support. can you tell me how i can get the message across to the people about our prayer group? it is growing daily and all i want to do is support the effort to praise God and help others to see how powerful prayer is. thanx and have a blessed Thanksgiving. and i'll let you know how the visit goes. Ben

You can send any of the Moderators the information. We also have a prayer circle here in the Mississippi Forum:

Hospitality Prayer Circle (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231012)

hello all. well my first visit to unit 26 parchman went over very well. my wife was a little miffed at the in depth search of her person, but i had no problems. we arrived there at nine yesterday morning and was at 26 by 10. we were able to visit until 2. i thought everything went very well. my son said that when his bus from rankin pulled in under the prison sign he knew that he had reached the big time. i agreed. he said that it was his wakeup call. i wish it could have happened about 5 years ago. but anyway, there was a lot of visits and all in all, everyone seemed to be happy. my son, brian, said they eat well, and he looks like he is in good shape. the only problem he said he had was while at rankin that he along with several others had been mishandled and had received punches to the face from certain guards who seemed to have a problem with handling their authority. he said that they were also lined up against the wall in rankin and kicked in the side and punched in the side of the head. he said that one guard said "oh you from da coast, you think you bad" and kicked him in the kidney area. i think this should be reported but to who? anyway, he is glad to be out of rankin, thank GOD. so, i hope everyone's thanksgiving went well. ours did. thanx and stay Blessed, Ben p.s. we will be going again the 2nd week of december.

Ben,

This does happen and it is bad, however here is the problem. With it being reported - they know it happens. NOTHING will be done about it without you releasing your name and your sons name.

That will cause him a WORLD of trouble.

When I was in prison I saw the same thing, and many times it was other inmates looking around when they were to face the wall, not keeping their hands behind their back, not walking in a straight line. LOOKING the guards in they eyes is a big no no.

It isn't right, and it isn't fair, but he is in a better place now from CMCF and reporting will cause him a WORLD of pain, trouble, and worse.

Hi Ben, so glad you all got to visit!! It sure takes a load of worry off your mind when you can really see how they are.
Jonathan is so right about the reporting. My guy was beat up his second day at MSP, had to let it go. I also couldn't do anything about repeated staph infections or the garbage they were fed for a time as it required giving his name even to ACLU, thus no action. It is sooo frustrating but we need to keep them safe first and foremost and fight the battles when they are home safe and sound.
Take care
d

hey guys and girls, yes i know that it would cause a lot of problems for him amongst others. i just wish something could be done. the mental abuse is enough without the physical stuff too. it just hurts mt heart to know that such good people are being so abused. but i won't worry because i know that they will get theirs in the end. AMEN. please keep brian in your prayers and please pray for all who are in that situation to come home safe and sound and a much better person. THANK YOU LORD. ya'll take care and thank you for encouragement and input. i knew the answer already. just venting a little. God Bless you. ybiC, Ben

wow, that's so sad to hear about the physical abuse and how much of a sad reality it is. i honestly thought maybe it was one of those things you see on tv or in movies, but isn't as rampant in real life. all i can think of is how terrible that is, especially the fact that reporting it will cause more trouble. but i suppose it's one of those "what can you do?" situations. anyways, ben i will keep your son in my prayers as i do all of the inmates who suffer FAR beyond anything that could be considered appropriate "justice"

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great holidays. We did. I had my other three children come home for the holidays. It was fantastic. It's the first time for us to be together in five years. Without Brian, of course. But we went to see him the Sunday before Christmas. We are going up again this Sunday. I look so forward to seeing him. I did bring his son up to see him in December. That was a real good visit. On the way home that night my grandson said to me, Papa this has been a good day. He is seven yrs. old. So, we will be getting up early Sunday morning so we can get there about nine. Wish us many blessings. Will let ya'll know how it goes. Ben:thumbsup:

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great holidays. We did. I had my other three children come home for the holidays. It was fantastic. It's the first time for us to be together in five years. Without Brian, of course. But we went to see him the Sunday before Christmas. We are going up again this Sunday. I look so forward to seeing him. I did bring his son up to see him in December. That was a real good visit. On the way home that night my grandson said to me, Papa this has been a good day. He is seven yrs. old. So, we will be getting up early Sunday morning so we can get there about nine. Wish us many blessings. Will let ya'll know how it goes. Ben:thumbsup:

Hi Ben, great to see you in here again! Glad you had your family mostly together over the holidays. That is such a blessing. Enjoy your visit this weekend. Hope Brian is hanging in there okay.
dam311

can someone please tell me anything about unit 26. my boyfriend is there and i cant talk to him or nothing. i dont know anything about visitation or canteen please help me out on this. thanxs so much.

Welcome Mary.terrell,

This is the info for the Canteen funds:
http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/Sending%20Money.htm

Visit Info:
Visiting an Inmate at MSP

Each offender is allowed to fill out a visitation list with ten (10) visitors. The list should be created at Receiving & Classification.
A visitor cannot be on two offender's list unless they are immediate family. Documentation is required.
Each visitor must have a valid state or federal ID.
All visitors 14 years of age and older must have photographic identification each time they wish to visit. Visitors will not be permitted entrance to any unit in the institution without photographic identification. The Superintendent or designee will approve any exception. Identification required will be Federal or State-issued photograph identification.
Visitors with infants may have one (1) diaper bag with up to four (4) diapers, two (2) bottles, one (1) change of baby clothes a, (1) pacifier and diaper wipes in a zip lock bag and any necessary medication for the infant.


Visitors are allowed to spend $20 at the Canteen; must be 18 years or older.
Visitors are scanned by the scanner and searched by staff before departing the visitation center.
Visitors will be processed through the Visitation Center between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Visitors are bused to the units and the last bus leaves at 1:30 p.m.

Dress Code for Male Visitors:

Shirts must be worn
No tank tops or bare midriffs or sleeveless tops
Shorts may not be above the knee
No cut-off shorts, jogging shorts, or biking shorts
Shoes must be worn (no house or shower shoes)
Under wear must be worn
No paints pulled below the hip line
No hats or head covering of any kind
Hats, caps and bandanas will not be permitted
medical alert bracelet

Dress Code for Female Visitors:
Shorts at knee level or below
No hip huggers, cut-offs, jogging shorts or biking shorts
Skirts and dresses shall not be above the knee
Slits shall not extend above the knee when seated
No see through clothing
No tank tops or bare midriffs or sleeveless tops
Shoes must be worn (no house or shower shoes)
Underwear and bra must be worn
Hats, caps and bandanas will not be permitted
No jewelry except wedding ring, religious medallion, and a
medical alert bracelet
Dress code applies to children also.
Visitors departing units are not allowed to bring anything from units except canteen purchases.



Unapproved Visitors
Individuals who are convicted felons will be prohibited from visiting offenders except in those cases where immediately family relations can be established. In such cases, the superintendent will grant permission in writing. Visitors must show this written authorization each time they visit.

All visitors 14 years of age or older must have a picture ID and be on the offender's approved list.
Suspension of Visits
Visiting privileges may be suspended temporarily or permanently for any of the following reasons:
If a visitor possesses money or any negotiable instruments while on the grounds of the institution.
If a visitor possesses alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia while of the grounds of the institution.
If a visitor possesses a knife, firearm, explosives or explosive material while of the grounds of the institution.
If a visitor engages in any behavior which may be designated inappropriate by the Superintendent or designee.

Former Employees
No former employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections will be permitted to visit any offender incarcerated at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. The Superintendent or designee must grant permission for former MDOC employees to visit offenders.

Current Employees
Current MDOC employees wishing to visit an offender must be of immediate family relationship and provide verifiable proof. The superintendent will approve/disapprove this type of request.
QUESTIONS/CONTACT
Lt. Aslee Stevenson
662-745-6611 ext 4280
astevenson@mdoc.state.ms.us (astevenson@mdoc.state.ms.us)

thank you so much dam for the information you gave me. i was lost i have never been through this before.

Mary, I know, and you are welcome. The beginning of this journey is so very hard, but you will learn to cope little by little.
We are here for you.

dam i love my husband so much and it is really getting to me being alone. i dont know what i am facing for the next 2 or 3 years. it is so scary and he is a long way away from me. how can i get him back home in a satalite. we have one here and it would be so much if he could come back here. please give me some advise.

Hi Mary,
I know. If he is A custody he can request a transfer to satellite but think he needs to be in system for a certain amount of time, not sure. You can ask his case manager.

Hello all!! i was wondering if anyone knew anything about unit 26-a.....my brother was moved there recently!?

My son was just transferred there yesterday according to the inmate search on MDOC site so I am looking for info on this unit. He was told he was going to a satellite so I am really worried now. If this is for the A & D program that's a good thing (saw on past post that it was thought this might be the unit for that). Is there any way to find out fro MDOC if this is why he was sent there? Thanks for any info you can give, Karen

Karen been thinking about you lots lately. Great to have you "home"

The best way to find out about his situation I think will be to call the case manager for that unit. Hopefully he can contact you to fill you in soon.

Lots of hugs
me

my brother was in the A & D program ...he recently finished it...and started working....he was in unit 26 the entire time e was in the A & D program...but they moved him i guess to a different zone?? (im new to this so i could be wrong) i just know his address still says the same unit number...."26" when he moved he said it was b/c they like to keep all the workers in the same "housing" but he has said unit 26 is alot better than the others he's been in....alot quieter and less people! less drama!! so thats a good thing for us to know!!!!!!! :-D i will keep you all and your family in my prayers!!

Update on info.....i talked to my brother earlier...he told me that when he did the A & D course he was in Unit 30.....im not sure if thats the only unit for the A & D courses.....but he said as far as he knows unit 26 is mainly workers....i will def let yall know if i hear from him again and get more info about unit 26

Hey..i heard from my brother again...he was telling me that Unit 26 is for the trustee's that work on the farm... he said most of the guys in there have been on good behaviour for most of their time thats why they get this opportunity.....my brother works on the livestock farm....i dont know if anyone else has someone that also does?? but he was telling me about one of their boss'....this man is so great to them :thumbsup:...today he fixed all the guys soppy joes (with his own special seasonings) my brother said it was so good he ate about 4 sandwichs! haha!!! he also gave them all a pack of cigs!!! it makes me so happy to know there is someone there looking out for our family members!!!!! He also informed me that they get to watch movies on the weekends!! which i think is very nice!!!! the only down side.....he said that his building's roof is really bad!!! so last night when they got some rain....it was leaking...and it just so happend one of the leaks was right above his bed.....so he woke up soaked!! he said he's heard rumors of them moving the guys in that building so they could fix the roof....but theres no telling when they will do that!!!

i wish they had other ways of calling....its a bit expensive if you ask me!! is there any other phone service???? like i've said in my other posts...i am new to this...so forgive me if my posts...or questions are stupid!! :D

My friend is in Unit 26. I was told by his Mom he was in the Early Release Program... He was supposed to get Satellite but I guess that fell through.

So is Unit 26 for Early Release?
Or is it for Trustee Workers?
Is it for the A&D program?
And what the heck is the A&D Program??? I googled it and came up with nothing.

My friend said he was working on the Pig farm and he is eating good, and he is also Welding stuff.

Sorry that I cannot answer your questions about the unit. A&D is Alcohol and Drug Program.

http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.htm#How_long_is_the _Alcohol_and_Drug_Program_(A&D)