Anyone else with someone in Donovan in San Diego?

Hi there,
my fiancee tran sferred there last week and I am so confused! I found this site yesterday but don't laugh...I cannot find my post to see if anyone replied...Any help would be appreciated!

Hi there,
my fiancee tran sferred there last week and I am so confused! I found this site yesterday but don't laugh...I cannot find my post to see if anyone replied...Any help would be appreciated!


Hi Kcsgirl:

I haven't really much of a clue what I am doing either. I recently found out that someone who was very special to me, someone I lost touch with, has been at Donovan for 7 years! I have never been there. I have spent the past three days reading over many of these posts and gathering information from other (more knowledgeable) PTO members. Is your fiance going to be there permanently or is he in reception and then going somewhere else? From what I can gather, it is not THE worst place to be incarcerated. (Not that any of these places would be good!) Have you heard anything from him? How did you know he was transferred? I have sent several letters off to my friend. I think he will answer as soon as he receives them. I spent most of a day tracking down his CDC# and then all of the rest of the info to send him mail...I truly do not know much about this. As soon as I hear from him, I will be happy to share anything I learn. I wish I could help you more. Call Donovan. The main # is: (619)661-6500. Hang in there.

Hi I found it! I have had 1 letter from him and spoken with a LT. At Donovan who was very sweet. It will be a while before he makes it to "permanant housing" or whatever and can call. My three year old is very used to speaking with him every night...I told her he was on duty on an island with no phones and as soon as they build 'em he will call her. Your friend may need paper and envelopes and stuff to reply...I read on a post that you can send letter sized yellow lined paper removed from the binding and 20 pre stamped envelpoes...mine are on the way! I am sending books and stuff because he is locked down for 23 hours a day in reception...my husband is very bright I hope he has mastered meditation...

Kcsgirl,

Just a quick question did you books make it through to him while he was in reception at Donovan?

Thanks

Okay, So What Do You Need To Know About Donovan?? Im There Every Weekend To Visit, My Man Got Endorsed There. Did You Call The Line To Find Out His Information?? Go To Inmate Records And They Will Tell You What You Need To Know. Its Okay There, I Dont Think Any Prison Is Nice. The Only Thing That Sucks Is That They Are Strict With What You Wear When You Go Visit. I Recommend Just Dress In Black, Its Like The Safest Color To Wear, And Make Sure Its Not Tight Fitting. They Have A New Metal Detector Up Too...it Doesnt Beep When You Go Through But They Know When Or If You Have Something That Goes Off, So Just Be Careful. At The Gate, They Check You Id When You Get There And Leave, So Keep That In Handy. Also, Depending On What Yard You Go To On How Much You Have To Wait, If Its 1/4 You Just Walk Across, If Its 2/3/5 You Have To Wait For Another Van/bus. It Can Be A Hassle. Its Not Too Bad There, Good Thing Is They Got The Guys That You Can Order Food From Instead Of Just Eating Out The Machines, But The Food Still Isnt All Too Good. Anything Else You Can Ask Okay.

Hello JOJO S D. It sounds like you have a lot of information that might help me. My boyfriend just got to Donovan two weeks ago and I have a couple of letters but then they stop. Do you know what I can send him and how do I find out when I have been approved for visiting. Thanks I am clueless

No Problem....the Letters Were Backed Up For A While Because Of The Whole Holiday Time. If He Is Still In Reception Then You Can Only Send Him Letters, Im Not Too Sure If You Can Send Him Paper, Envelopes And Stamps Yet. Wel Stamps You Can Send Him At Any Time And It Can Only Be A Book Of 20 Per Letter. Has He Sent You The Form Already?? You Have To Fill It Out And Send It Back To The Visiting Dept. Which Is At The P.o. Box 799006.....it Takes Bout 3-4 Weeks....but If You Want You Can Wait The 3-4 Weeks Then Try Calling To Make An Appointment, And If Its Allowed Then Youre Okay, If Its Not Then The Process Hasnt Finished. You Need To Make Appts To Visit Him If Hes Still In Reception. If Hes Endorsed There Then You Dont Need Appts You Can Just Show Up.

when visiting there do you have to make appointment? how early should i get there?

You Have To Cal Ahead Of Time, At Least A Week Prior To Make An Appointment For A Non-contact Visit. Once Its Made, You Have To Be There 1 Hr Before Your Visit So You Can Do The Whole Process. If Its Contact, You Can Be There Anytime Between 8am- 3pm...i Think The Last Time To Be Processed Is 2 Pm Because Everything Takes Time. Of Course You Know Visiting Is Only On The Weekends, But You Can Visit Both Days.

right now at corcoran he has contact visits. is donvan non contact or is that just some yards? we are waiting for him to be transfer there.

If He Is Waiting To Get Transferred Then He Should Be In The 4-yard And Thats Only Behind The Glass Visits, Unless That Is Where He Is Supposed To Be Endorsed, You Dont Get Contact Visits Unless They Are Endorsed...so If Hes Waiting To Be Transferred Then Its Only Behind Glass.

If He Is Waiting To Get Transferred Then He Should Be In The 4-yard And Thats Only Behind The Glass Visits, Unless That Is Where He Is Supposed To Be Endorsed, You Dont Get Contact Visits Unless They Are Endorsed...so If Hes Waiting To Be Transferred Then Its Only Behind Glass.

he has been endorsed to go there. just kind of wondering why would you need to be endorsed to get contact visits? dont know much about another prison except for csaft where he has been at. so now it feels like we are starting all over again. plus i know he is going as a level 1. thank you for answering my questions. just trying to find out anything i can for him and myself.

First Timer Here So Bare With Me Yard And Gym Are They The Same Thing???? Please Let Me Know I Know I Still Have A Bit To Wait To Hopefully Get Aproved To Vist But I Want To Be Well Informed... Thanks

I believe that the yard is the first number in the address like the Facility number.

My man he is in donovan reception since July i want to know how long it takes the mail in & out. How much money I can send? Please help me? I'm new here.

Mail is SO SLOOOOOWWWW at Donovan. I'd give it one and a half to two weeks to get a letter to them.

Yup I Sent My Man His First Letters The 29 Of July He Didnt Get Them Till This Past Thursday... 8/24/06 That Almost A Month... I Get Mail From Him Pritty Quickly Though I Guess Its The Whole Deal With Them Checking Your Mail Making Sure Your Not Sending Anything Your Not Suppose To.... Good Luck................


Money Wise You Could Send As Much As You Want But Remember They Take 44% Restitution(??? I Think Thats How You Spell It..)
The First Time I Didnt Know So I Sent My Baby 100 He Only Got 56 Out Of It.... And I Thought He Was Going To Feel Rich..lol:).... Now I Try Sending At Least 275. So He Gets About 150 Out Of It....its Hard Sometimes To Come Up With The Money... But I Know For A Fact That If The Shoe Where On The Other Foot He Would Try Hard For Me Too.....hope It Helped....