:) :) would like to talk/chat with anyone with loved ones there...i just had my first visit!!!! would like to go again, but just too expensive by myself...having to drive over 370 miles/6 hours one way. would love to find some one to share the trip...or would just like to chat with anyone who wants to chat...contact me...:) :)

Hi berne!

My hubby will be move to CTF Soledad this week, he's in Tracy right now. I don't know where facility they'll move him but i would love to know somebody who's loveone is there too, im pretty new here too. You can email me at Email removed per PTO Policy.

I'm glad you got your first visit already, im happy for you.

I need someone to ride with to Soledad! My app. is still pending. I don't have a license. I can help pay for the gas and hotel. So let me know if your out there. meridge

Hi my man is in Soledad and I am still waiting on approval but as soon as I am approved I'mright there with u. I havent seen him in 6 months and I miss him sooo much. With gas prices and everything else I would love to share some expenses. I do live in Victorville but I can meet u somewhere if it is out of the way. You can e-mail me at Email removed per PTO policy . He is in North he has been there since March, 05. I just dont wanna make that long trip on my own I've never visited there so I dont know what to expect. Thanks, Melissa

Hi Berne, my honey is at Soledad and I heard from him on Sunday and he told me someone got stabbed in the kitchen, have u heard anything? I know all kinds of crazy stuff is going on in htere and I'm worried he did'nt call yesterday and I'm waiting for him to call me now so we'll see. I worry too much I guess. Have u any info like if they r locked down? He also told me a riot was supposed to go down last week but they moved it to this week so I'm just a little stressed!!!! So anywhays how r the visits? Is it confusing? What can u wear?

hi ladies,

im also still waiting for approval, my husband will be moved to soledad any time soon and i cant drive either, i don't hve a license yet and i dont know how to drive still. i can share for the expenses too as soon as im approved i would like to pay my hubby a visit.

hey marg, I dont have a license either but I do have a car and I'm willing to drive there to see my honey but I know it will be at least a month till I get approved so keep me in mind or e-mail me and we will make arrangements to go together. Bye,have a good nite it's almost time 4 me to get off work. till tomorrow, Melissa

Hi , My man is in Soledad at the South facility. I am not allowed to visit but I would be more than happy to chat with you anytime .. Good luck to both of you

thankyou for all of your messages, nice to know that i am not alone in this messed up world. nice to know i can relate to you and you can relate to me. i want my man home, i miss him so much, but i know this has to be until then. if any of you need to talk, just message, if i can help, i will, if i can't, i can support you. thank you again, remember, we are in this together.
:heart:bernedine:heart:

ticosgurl
sorry, missed a few things you had asked, don't want to miss anything. you can't wear any blue jeans whatsoever. also, no tank tops, anything like that. mostly just like what you can't wear to the jails; ie no cleavage, bare tummys, etc. just dress conservativley is what they told me. also too, i made sure i called the nite before just to make sure they weren't on lockdown. so if they are not that nite, everything should be fine the next day, though i dunno, i just went there the first time. it was confusing, but i met an elderly couple so was visiting their son, and they clued me in and helped me a bit. it was nice, cause it was a bit scary. i was so excited to finally see him since i haven't since april, then even more scary that i haven't touched him since he went in last december. though i did visit him in jail, but that was behind glass on the telephone, not the same thing. i also too, married my man when he was in jail this past march. of course, it was behind glass, no touching, i didn't even get to kiss him. though we did make up for it at the visiting. very nice. anyways, just wanted to touch base and answer all your questions. by no means am i an expert, i am just as "green" and unaware as you are, i hate this and i don't want to know any of this, but i have to. this will be over for us very soon.
bernedine

Hey Berne, thanks for all the information, I've only been to Chino prison to visit my brother and I guess it's all pretty much the same. The visits at Chino seem way less complicated but I have'nt seen my baby since March 05 and I miss him sooo much I'm just waiting fro that approval and then I'll be on my way. How about touching or kissing do they let u do that much? Well I dont mean kissing like we do out here but do they watch your every move?Thanks for letting me know. Take vare, Melissa

Hey ladies my husband is in Soledad and I try to make it up there at least once a month. I live in San Diego, but am willing to pick up along the way. I always stay at a hotel thats about 20 minutes away from the prison and it only runs about $40.00 a night. I will be going up the weekend of October 14th to visit on the 15th and 16th. If anyone is interested in visiting that weekend or any other please let me know! Thanks and gold bless you all!

Hello

My brother in law just got transfered to Soledad. He is in something called level 3. I wondered if someone on this site has information about a catolog I spoke to his counsler who told me there was some kind of sheet that listed this infomation but he has no idea where or how to get this info. I would also like to send him a few books does anyone have this info??? Please help

Hi there everyone.....I am new to here and see that there really are alot of us hurting out there. My son just got to soledad, he is on north yard. I have a visiting form but I'm not sure if I send it directly to him ot to somewhere else, if someone could help me with that I'd be so much apprieciated. I haven't seen my son since March and I haven't been able to hug him for 3 1/2 years!! I live in Sacramento and once I'm approved for a visit...I would Love to share expenses with someone. I dont have a license and I'm afraid to drive on the freeway. If anyone of you are close, please email me at :Email removed per PTO Policy . Any information about this place will be so helpful. My son is really still a baby, he's only going to be 21 in December and he isn't coming home until July of 2010. Thanks!

hi my boyfriend is in salinas state prison i would to share gas but i only can stay for one day that is on a sunday call me at personal phone number removed denise

just checking in with everyone and seeing how you are all doing with "our men" at Soledad CTF. my man has 95 more days left!!! i am so excited, how is everyone out there??? if you need to talk or whatever, i am here, my email is Email removed per PTO Policy . am wanting to make a road trip to soledad for the weekend to visit, talking with a few new friends. what do you think???? we will see... thankyou for everyone my friends. bernedine

Hi Berne, My Husband Is Aslo In Soledad And IM ALSO FROM Hemet Mine Is On North Yard And They Have Been On Lock Down For Almost 5 Months Now But As Soon As They Get Off Im Going To Visit.

i am glad I found you Soledad ladies. I will cut a long story short. I have a dear friend on DR in Sq and for the past 2 yrs I have been trying to put him in touch with his son. I found his son, bad news is is that he is in prison Soledad. My friend is devastated that his son in also on the inside and has asked me for info on the prison. We both know it will not be a holiday camp but if you ladies could give me any info it would be great. How big is it,is there a big gang culture, what is the mail situation like etc. I guess I am looking for the real life version not the DOC version. Thanks

Skyeblue

I have a couple of questions my man just got transfferred this monday. Does any one know how far it is from L.A.? What hours are visiting? And how long does it take for them to get visits?

Mrs. Badillo
hello there fellow hemetite, hahaha, nice to meet you. the last time i visited was in august. you need to call like on friday to see if they are on lock down for the weekend, sometimes they are not and you can visit. but you just need to check.

Dreamylatina, i am 370 miles away from soledad, i am in hemet, what i did is use mapquest, and it told me how far and how long it will take to get there, it took about 6 hours, not counting the stops for gas. do you have your visit all ready approved? if you are, just call to make sure they can have visits and you really need to call the night before you leave just to make sure they are not on lock down or whatever, no use to make the trip if you cannot see them. visiting is usually from whenever to 3pm. when i went last on saturday, i lined up there early like 6am, but he didn't get to me till 10:00 am. so you never know, but i do know you need to get there early to line up, and then go through the process. visiting is saturday and sunday and holidays.

bernedine

Hey everyone!!! how exciting huh??? i want him home so bad??? how long do your men have???? how are they doing??? Any visits going on??? any n news to share????i/we are here for you all!!! A support system is what we need and that is what we have!!!
:heart:bernedine:heart:

Hi ladies,

My man called this morning and he said he got all my mails from his previous facility (DVI) to Soledad, its amazing cause it only took 3 weeks and they forwarded everything to him. when he was moved to soledad he was able to call me too 3 days after he got there, some ladies said it normally takes longer, i guess we've been praying too hard.

anyway, i got approved for family visit, problem is i dont have my license yet. i really want to see him so bad, is anyone here able to give me a ride or into family visit as well?

My Man Is Moving To Soledad Soon.....what Is It Like Over There

Marj,

That is so cool for you!!!!! I am so happy for you!!!! Its not often that we get good news!!! Awesome about your visit too, hopefullly you can see him soon and hold him and kiss him and love him, hahahaha.
:heart:bernedine:heart:

thank you berne! yes i hope i get to find a way to get to soledad, i called them and family visit means i get to be with him for three days, the prison provides apartment for us to stay. im thinking if i can cuddle with him and get him off his cell for three days atleast that will be worth the three hour drive, my problem is i can't drive so if any of you ladies here can help me please PM me, im willing to pay for gas and other expenses. its been months since i held my man and i really miss him even if he's been a real pain in the a**:(

Hi, I´m new to all this. My name is Tina:) I just visited my boyfriend in September and would like to go back in mid/end of February. I´d arrive at SFO airport and rent a car. Last time I stayed in Salinas and it was okay. Would anyone be interested in going with me? I´d like to stay for two weekends because I´m coming from far but that´s getting expensive and it would be nicer to have company:)

Good luck Tina J!!! i hope you find someone to help. i know it can get expensive visiting. i know "our" men really don't realize that!!!! but it is well worth it!!

:heart:bernedine:heart:

Could Anyone Inform Me What Kind Of Writting Materials Our Loves Ones Could Receive From Us?

I think he knows how expensive the trips are and how exhausting. He is a sweetheart:)

hi Dreamylatina!

for CTF ubnfortunately they can only receive pre-stamped envelopes from us, they dont allow paper and pen. what i did is send him money so he can buy papers and pen from the store.

Wow Are You Serious. That Sucks. But Thank You For The Info. How Many Pre-paid Envelopes Could They Receive At A Time?

Hello everyone

I'm new here, my son is in CTF - Soledad, currently at North. He is a lifer and has been in 17 years.
I live in OH and plan to fly out for my once a year visit in a next week.
Bernedine, are they still lining up out on the highway. Seems every time I get to go they have changed something.

I hope all of you get to visit with your loved ones soon. And you who can enjoy those family visits.

blocks

, i lined up there early like 6am, but he didn't get to me till 10:00 am. so you never know, but i do know you need to get there early to line up, and then go through the process. visiting is saturday and sunday and holidays.

bernedine

they said they can receive as many as you want, however, in his previous facility (DVI) they only allow 20pcs per mail so you might wanna try that to be on the safe side.

i am way no of an expert blocks, but the time i went, the cars were are lined up outside the prison, until 6 am, i just followed everyone, didn't know what the heck i was doing. i actually had to get out of my car to find out why all the cars were there. but as far as i know that is the same, unless someone here knows otherwise, good luck!!
:heart:bernedine:heart:

they do there get "welfare envelopes" if they do not have any money on their "books" or if you send them money. my man gets plenty to write, so you can send them books of stamps. they also use the stamps as money, so sometimes that can help with getting items your man needs. if your man has to pay any restitution, they take it out of the money you send him, they may take up to 55%. good luck!!! also, if you send anything, like letters or pictures or anything, the guys seem to get them alot faster if you put them in a 8 1/2 x 11 envelope instead of a regular envelope. just an fyi. i would just send him a little care package of pictures, some letters, some pre-stamped envelopes, etc. i would also indicate on the outside of the envelope of what i sent him, just in case something disappears.
:heart:bernedine:heart:

thank you berne. I will go ahead and to that. As far as there order packages. How long does it take them to receive there products after placing the order? I'm new to this facility and the way it sounds it's very different comparing to the other prisons my man was in.

Thanks Bernedina

If anything has changed I will let everyone know when I get back.

youre welcome!!! i am glad to help, though i am no expert on these subjects, but i am here for you like all the others!!! i sent my man a package and it was ok, i used "access securepak" was pretty ease to order, my husband sent me a list of what he wanted and he made sure it was within the weight. he got all what i ordered including some clothes he wanted. the order went out quickly, but he didn't get it right away, not sure why, but of course, its a prison, why get things to our men quickly, right?! so good luck!!!

always, :heart:bernedine:heart:

did you have your visit??? how was it???? i hope you had a great one!!!! i am really envious of you!!! but then again, i have only 63 more days till my husband is home!!!! seems so far away!!! anyways, take care and keep in touch!!
always, :heart:bernedine:heart:

no atnorth yard b ctf. im so crushed. its been may since i have last seen him. im hoping they will come off soon. i havent had a phone since last month. someone told me b yard is on lock down 80% of the year is that true?
susan

Hi Everyone

I live in OH and my son is in North yard, I flew out the week-end before Thanksgiving, and was able to visit on both Sat. and Sun. There we a lot of people on lockdown so if you are going be sure to check with visiting if you are going very far. I'm hoping to go back in May or June but not sure the finances will allow for another trip so soon.

They were still lining up early outside the gate on the highway. North was not holding things that you weren't suppose to have. They sent several people back to their cars and people that took bills other than ones had to wait on the vender to come and make change for them before they could go into visit. They would not let them go in with $5s and $10s.

So when you go be sure to take only what you are suppose to, double check yourself before you get on the bus expecially if you are going to North. Visiting time is to short to have to go back.

They do have a new food vender and some of the sandwiches and stuff isn't in the machine He brings it in boxes. They have better food but some of it is $5. Some $3.75 They do still have some stuff in the machines but mostly the stuff like pop and juice, candy and chips. A few sandwiches and pizza bread.

Those of you who usually get a call on a certain day and don't get a call do can call visiting on Friday and ask if you will be able to visitor even if you aren't planing to visit, that will tell you if they are still on lock down or not. I know sometimes the lines at the phones are so long and they are late getting out on the yard so it is hard for everyone to be able to use the phones. Several times my son said he didn't call because the lines were so long.

I hope all of you get to visit soon and that the visits go well for you,
Stay safe and keep the faith.
Never give up, we need to be up at least when we are writing or talking to them up just to help them stay up.

It is hard but we can all get throough this together.

Hugs and prayers
Audrey

thank you audrey for the wonderful info. i have not had a chance to visit my husband yet. i was planning on going thanksgiving weekend but north was not allowing visiting for southerns, blacks, mexican national, or their associates. what ever that means. everyone says you line up out side the prison on the highway. not quite sure where that is. i have already got my $30 in quarters for each day ready. i was going to try to visit this weekend if they let me. im have to check myself into the hospital by midnite sunday, im having surgery monday am. i have not heard from my husband in over a month. as soon as he was transfered from san quentin he has been on lock down. its been a while. i sure wish you were able to visit more, my son is always in the prison system. he is at desert view mccf in adelento ca. i make sure i send my granddaughters mother money every month so she can take her to see him.
thanks again audrey for the info
susan

how is everyone holding up through these holidays? anything i can do? anything we can do as wives/mothers/daughters/sisters/etc. of men of soldedad??? i have 2 good ears that listen real well, i don't have much else. my man has 53 days left!!! i pray that everyone is doing well and holding up!!!
:heart:bernedine:heart:

how does it go??? were you able to rescedule your trip?? if there is anything i can do or help with, let me know. i do know when you do visit, DO NOT wear any type of blue jean. no blue at all!!!! no cleavage or anything with straps. nothing see through. i was told when i called to check on any lock downs, to wear something "conservative". also, when you get there early, make a left off of the freeway and you will see a line of cars, alot of cars!!! just find the end, which is usually on your left, just follow the leader when it turns about 6-6:30 am. i was lost but was easy to follow. when you get to an officer in the parking lot, you tell them which yard your man is at, he will give you a pass with the yard on it and a number. you need that!! don't lose it!!!!! fill it out before you get to the waiting area, its best if you have it filled out first, which i found out!! then you just wait till they call the yard and your number. Good luck!!! let me know what is up. i wish i could go with you and visit, but i only have 49 days left. let me know what is up!!
:heart:bernedine:heart:

How is everyone holding up??? I am here for you all!!! I only have 39 more days till my husband is finally home!!! But i will remain here and talk with anyone who wants to talk.
:heart:bernedine:heart:

You Are So Lucky Berne. Best Wishes To You And Your Husband.

Hi everyone! I´m going to visit my boyfriend at CTF/Soledad end of February. I´m going to stay for two weekends. Anyone interested in going with me or meeting for a coffee? :)

thankyou so much, i pray for all your loved ones to be home soon, or for you to be able to visit your loved ones, and that they stay safe!!!

:heart:bernedine:heart:

hello everyone, how are all of you??? i'm here for you all!!!! my man will be home in 4 days!!!
:heart:bernedine:heart:

Hi everyone!
Could you reply here or pm me, I just wanted an update on who still visits and where do you live, I will be going soon and would not mind sharing a ride with someone I have a car, etc. but I know how hard it can be if you dont, so if your interested let me know soon! Thanks,Pauline

I didn’t think that there were many members that had someone at CTF. When I started searching around for members to vote I found a handful. I think the problem is we have all types of different names for that prison some people call it “CTF”, some “Soledad”, then some “CTF Soledad” or the full title “Correctional Training Facility Soledad”; I think that is where people get it confused and things get crazy:confused: . So a Sub-forum would be exactly what us CTF'ers need.:D So if you have'nt already voted please follow the link and vote for CTF. Thanks Megan
http://prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165132&highlight=soledad

hi pauline,
im going to visit on the 11, 12 of feb. it will be my first visit. everytime i try to go they are on lockdown. i currently live in san diego ca. what part of ca do you live in?.
susan

i live in Santa Cruz

I live in South Orange County. I want to visit this weekend but I still only get non contact at least 10 days they said. I am torn as to whether or not to go.

Girl I feel so bad for you everytime you try and visit they are on lockdown:( I posted some more information on the CTF sticky....
megan

hi pauline,
im going to visit on the 11, 12 of feb. it will be my first visit. everytime i try to go they are on lockdown. i currently live in san diego ca. what part of ca do you live in?.
susan

so far all visiting on is normal schedule. im leaving in the morning to go pick up a friend and were driving down. i have just heard alot of bad things about waiting a long time to go into the parking lot. and all the regs save places for eachother. and when its full in visiting room they ask people to leave. im coming from san diego so they better not ask me to leave. but other than that im really looking forward to seeing my husband. i have not seen him since may 2005.
susan

Oh I thought your husband was at north. Because North has no visiting both "A" and "B" yard all races.... South and Central normal visiting.
megan



so far all visiting on is normal schedule. im leaving in the morning to go pick up a friend and were driving down. i have just heard alot of bad things about waiting a long time to go into the parking lot. and all the regs save places for eachother. and when its full in visiting room they ask people to leave. im coming from san diego so they better not ask me to leave. but other than that im really looking forward to seeing my husband. i have not seen him since may 2005.
susan

Hey, I was thinking maybe it would be easier to only post messages on the CTF sticky? it gets so confusing with all the different threads. What do you think?

Sounds good :thumbsup:


Hey, I was thinking maybe it would be easier to only post messages on the CTF sticky? it gets so confusing with all the different threads. What do you think?

http://*********.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7022&highlight=folsom
doesnt give much info on the situation. i just hope everything works out for the best
susan

Hey My Boyfriend Is At Soledad And Yeah! I Heard Someone Got Stabbed So They Had To Cancel Visits Yesterday But Today They Were Allowed To Get Visits... So I Guess Everything Is Cool...try Not To Worry To Much...is Not That Bad And Just To Make You Feel Better Visits Are Wonderful But It Is Expensive When You Have To Drive 6hrs To Get There...by Your Self....