This is my fiance's first offense and i have know clue what to expect he was given 8 split one. Which he told me he has to serve one year and will have three years probabtion. I nor him have know clue what to expect he is at a local county jail which is in Bay Minnete, AL. I do not know how anything works i didn't know if i'm suppose to send him money, or if i can send him items such as pen and paper or if he has to buy it there, how often he gets to talk on the phone, and whats the cheapest way he can call me. Or if every jail has there own way of calling collect, or can they use calling cards. I'm going to be so lost without him i don't know how i will be even to afford to live on my own especially without him all the time. If you have any advice or know anything about bay minnetes system please let me know the more i know the better. He has to turn himself in on 9/23 and he really doesn't want to talk about it right now so whatever info anyone has to spare would be wonderful.
Thanks, Paige

Ok Paige, 1st glad to have you here at the PTO, plenty of help/advise/love and most of all support. I'm from Summerdale, my son was in county for a very long time, and is now in Ventress Correctional. The sentence means he has to do 1 yr in jail and 3 yrs probation. If he does that GREAT, it's finished, except for the large fines that Baldwin County charges! My son didn't, which is why he is in Ventress. Your fiance's will have to do his time and not get in any trouble for the 3 yrs probation. If he gets in trouble or test dirty for drugs, he will be revoked and have to return to prison and do his 8 yrs (which is really 1/3 of that time). OK, now Baldwin County jail, you can send him money orders (US Postal only), can send stamps, and up to 10 pictures at a time(nothing nasty/containing beer/liquor bottles) and no polaroids. No pens or paper. When he turns himself in he can bring certain items or you can bring them within 24 hours after he books in. Call the jail to make sure I'm correct but it was 3 regular tee shirts/3 underwear/3 pairs of socks/ and 1 set of thermal underwear. Make sure you put his name on his stuff in permanant marker ( the others will steal it). The mailing address is B.C.C.= 200 Hand Ave, Bay Minette 36507. You call 251-580-2581 to set up visits. Ms Carol is in the mail room if you need to call to make sure his money was received. I know it's hard having him to jail at county, but I have seen people sit in county and do a year's time, my son did before he got out on probation. County isn't anything, the food isn't bad, they have air condition, they can to play cards, they just can't smoke. Hopefully, he can stay in Bay Minette and complete his year. My son did about a yr in county and got out on 2 yrs probation, and only had about another year of probation left, when he got back on drugs and was revoked by Judge Floyd. He now isn't in county anymore, but boy does he wish he was. The state prisons have no a/c or heat, it's about 120 degrees in there, with a bunch of other stinky men, with attitudes amd I won't even mention how they are treated. County is a cake walk, but Alabama prison is a nightmare. Tell him to stay to himself and away from the gangs and don't borrow anything. Feel free to send me a private message anytime, if I can be of any help. Stay strong!
Oh yeah, the phone system there is Correctional Billing Services. If you have Gulftel call them and make sure you have no blocks, they can give you the number to Correctional Billing (I've lost it) and call them to make sure you don't have to set up an account. Again, stay strong, we are all hear to support and help you.
God Bless,
Linda

first of all welcome to pto, second of all, it sounds like linda has given you the complete run down on the county jail things..i would listen to every thing she's told you and tell him...I know that this is all very scary for the both of you but ya'll can make make if you put your minds to it. and you very luck to have found this site. we all keep each other informed on changes and like linda just told you what ya'll needed to know, as things change you'll have more questions and concerns, and we'll be here to help you along..

good luck and take care of yourself, he's going to need you to that most of all...

Denise

Linda,
Thank you for all the great information and encouragement. My fiance was charged with receiving stolen prop. he doesn't smoke or do any kind of drugs so that want be a problem i just hope know one will mess with him he is a really big guy but he hopefully want get messed with. Do you happen to know how often i can visit and if the the county lets family visit during the holiday such as christmas where i can actually give him a hug. Thank you for your support and advice agian

Paige

Thanks denise for your reply i can't believe i even found this site i didn't know who i could ask because he didn't want to talk about it he gets to upset when i mention anything he found out he would serve a year ten days ago and has to think about it every second we only have four more days togethor and its just so hard to believe but i will log onto this site to keep looking for encouragment and great advice. Thanks for the reply if you know the chances of him getting out early could you let me know.

Thanks, Paige

Linda

I meant to ask you if you know the chance of him getting out early on good behavior at county could you let me know

Thanks, paige

paige,

its sounds like the 1 year is "good time". If he was to get in any trouble, he would have to serve the whole 8 years...

one other thing, unlike Linda's son, my husband would much rather be in prison than in the county jail, all the things about prison linda told you are true, each to there own i guess,

Paige, I know a year seems like a long time right now, but honestly its not that long, think about what you where doing a year ago!! see, its not bad, its not something you guys can't handle.

stay strong girl...

Paige,
Denise is right, 1 yr is good time....however, you never know if things don't chance because of all the prisoners from the gulf coast that need to be housed..but don't count on it. He probally do the yr in county...which is great, like I said it's a cake walk compared to ADOC prisons. OK, now the visits anyone (except convited felon's) can visit as long as your finance put's them donw on his visitation list, ANYBODY, can send him money (US POSTAL ONLY). You can visit as many times as you want...When Jason was there I booked the whole month in advance so I didn't have to worry about it (and also the number to set up visit's is always busy (580-2581) I know your upset but really Baldwin County is "I HATE TO SAY" a great place compared to prison...the guards are nice and they don't beat you. He will be fine "REALLY" alsongs as he stays away from the gangs and no borrowing. One thing I want to tell you in advance because it broke my heart seeing Jason, but when you visit he will be in handcuffs, so you will see that as he holds the phone to talk to you. And be careful of what said on the phone there, they listen. Anything else just ask, I be glad to help you. Keep the faith, like Denise said a year passes very fast. Just follow th light at the end!
God Bless,
Linda

Linda,
Thanks agian for quick reply both you and denise have been great help and im sure ill keep in touch
God Bless you to, Paige

Denise,
Thank you agian for the quick reply and advice!!
God Bless, Paige

You Can Send Money Here In Fl I Don't Know About There. I Have Ben In Prison So Let Me Tell You Mail Is The Most Important To A Inmate.money And Visits Come Next.this Year Is Going To Be A Test Of Your Love. Hang In There And Fiend Some One To Talk To Like This Place. That You Will Get Good Advice From People Who Have Ben There Or That Are In Your Shoes.