I went to visit my husband Sunday at Varner and they were doing car searching. I have had my car searched 3 times since I have been going to Varner and never had any trouble at all. I would like to say that I do not do drugs and I do not have any friends that do drugs. When they searched my car they told me that they found a stem from some weed in my car. I was stunned when they told me this. I had my husbands son with me and he did not need to go through this. They asked me if I had a cigarette lighter and I told them that I didn't smoke. They went over to there van and lit up what looked like pine straw to me. It disappeared as soon as he lit it up. I don't know much about drugs but my husband says that it should have burned a little instead of just diappearing. He thinks that something is wrong with this picture. There was no smell whatsoever when he lit it up. They would not let me visit and they told me that I would get a letter letting me know if I can ever come back there to visit. They also did not search the cars in front of me the way that they did me. I think that I was done wrong and that I really don't think that they found any drugs whatsoever in my car!!!

I am so sorry this happen to you. It would not be surprising that you will get a letter denying visitation in the weeks to come, at all. They can deny visitation on only a suspicion of ANYTHING, since they took the "so called evidence" it is difficult to question, however the questions that I would assertively ask? is just how? this was determined to be a drug? what kind of analysis was used? what training did the guards have to make this determination? If in fact this is what they determine or say. I would also ask for a sample of this "evidence" so that it could be tested, if in fact they deny visits... I know you said they burned it (how convieneit) but I'd still ask for them to produce the evidence against me... This is very serious, and could get out of hand quickly if not documented and assertively questioned.
Again, I am so sorry and this just irritates me so much on how they treat the families of inmates.
God Bless

Wow, I'm so sorry!! That's just crazy and so unfair. I agree with pods, I would definitely make a case for myself before it gets out of hand. Good luck with everything!

Thank you so much for the support!! I don't know what I would do without this website. Everyone here is so helpful. I can't believe that this happened to me. I got out of the car knowing that they would never find anything like that in my vehicle. You are right pods I need to ask to see the eveidence. I have not recieved a letter yet. I want to see him Sunday, so I am going to call them Saturday. Who do I need to speak with to see if I have been taking off the visitation list?? Thanks for all the support!!

Each unit has someone designated as the "visitation clerk" sometimes it is the assistant warden, sometimes clerical staff... they won't be there on Sat. so if you want to check before you make the trip, might want to call beforehand. Has your husband gotten any kind of notice that you were taken off the visitation? Often these things take time to "hit the fan" (so to speak)... so if you are still OK'd to visit, stay prepared,,, I've know situations where families were accused of this or that, OK'd for several visits following the "accusation" only to get notification that they are no longer welcome.
Keep us all posted
God Bless

It plainly states on the sign outside my hubby's prison that vehicles are subject to search at any time...and, yes I know mine has been, due to the placement of my little cat on the dash....I am sorry this turned into a nightmare for you...I hope it all works out, and soon!

Well just wnated to let everyone know that I got a letter yesterday telling me that I can't visit my husband for a year and then after that I am on a 1 year no contact visit. I cried for an hour after I read it. I don't know what I am going to do now that I can't see him every week. It is going to be so hard!! He called me and he wants me to write the Board of corrections in Little Rock. I am going to try and fight it and see if it will help. I hope it does because he and I both are going to go nuts without seeing each other. If anyone knows of anything that I can try and do please let me know. I need all the help that I can get.

Oh my, I am so sorry. What exactly did the letter say? In the family handbook on the ADC website, it says that an Ion Scanner is used to detect drugs, and if identified then a car may be searched, AND Then it goes on to say that this can be turned over to the Prosecuting Atty. for charges to be filed...
To be very honest about it, I know that it is costly to get an atty. but this type of accusation unanswered is dangerous to say the least. I can tell you from experience that the ADC is not going to undermind the warden, it is totally his/her call.
My husband's name is Tony, also.
Hang in there and let us support you.

Awww, I'm so, so sorry!! I know there's nothing I can say to make you feel better, but I hope everything gets all worked out. Sending prayers your way!

((((HUGS)))))

My husband called today and he talked to one of the workers there and they told him to tell me to call and talk to Ray Hobbs and he could get my visits back. He also told me that there is a guy that had Marijuana seeds in his car and he still comes to see his brother. Its just not fair and I think that the reason they did this to me is because my husband is black and I am white. I should tell them that I am getting a lawyer for discrimination. I am so upset about this. I already miss seeing my husband and its only been a week.

You can appeal that to the warden for hassrassment. Yes, they do search cars every time I have been there my car has been searched. One time my friend had a bottle of tequlla in the trunk was told the same thing. In nine years visiting a varner I have been in visitation and there has been a total 3 excapes. So I allways thougt that why they seached so hard. Until my friend got in trouble for the tequlla. But straw, seeds or on the floor is hassrassment to me.

I'm Not At All Suprised By This. The Guards Have No Respect For Anyone There. They Always Make Me Feel Like I'm The One That Has Done Something Wrong. They Have Checked My Car When I Have Left But, Never Going In. And Only The Trunk. I've Never Had To Get Out Of The Car. Hang In There.

I have visited Varner several times. My vechicle has been searched throughly 2 times. I expect it to be searched many more times too. It's about making things as miserable as possible for the inmate and the families. I would have a talk with the warden concerning what they found in your car. Where is the evidence that you were in violation of the rules. If they in fact burned the evidence, I rest my case...