Do all states require a background check on all visitor's? I have had to fill out an application form to visit my friend in Florida. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this process and if anyone has an idea of how long it takes??? Thanks! >^..^<

Hi april,

I know all Federal facilities require background checks. Depending on the caseload of the counselor assigned to your friend, this could take up to a month.

not all states require background checks I know that cali does one.. In texas they do not.. the inmate just adds you to his list and like a week later you can visit.. usually anyway.

isn't there a difference between state and federal prison? I had to fill out an application in CA,but never heard anything about it. same thing in Washington DC

Yes, there is a difference.

When Todd was held over in county then state before he was in a fed facility, he just had to put my name on a list.

But when he was at San Diego MCC & now Lompoc, I've had to fill out the Department of Justice Visitation Form.

Aprilcat...

Is your friend in a fed. prison or state? I think it varies w/the different states on how long & the procedures. I know in IL all EJ has to do is put down my full name & address on his list & about a week later he gets the ok.

I didn't need a background check.

my friend is in florida. they have to perform a background check on every visitor! i think i've figured out it's going to take at least a month for them to process the form i sent in (if they did not lose it).....*sigh*

almondz, hon, you are LUCKY!!!! lol

I'm going to visit my friend on death row in Texas this summer and all he has to do is add my name to his visitors list
I wonder why Florida is so picky???

AG's...I am not sure, hon. The application I filled out authorized them to run a criminal background check on me, too. I'm not worried about the outcome, but I hate that it's taking so long. The minute I am approved, I plan to drive my happy ass down to Florida, tho! I have the woman I work with on notice! ;) >^..^<

Thats what I'd be doing too.....:)

....out of desperation (or something similar) i called cva again today. still NOTHING. if i'm not in the computer in 2 weeks, they will send me another application and i can wait another 6 weeks until it isn't entered into the "system", either. :yuck:

Can't your friend talk to his caseworker?

carla...he doesn't have a caseworker. he's on death row, and there is one "classification officer" for the whole wing, i think, that basically doles out the visitation forms to the inmates. beyond that, i don't think he has much to do with visitation. i am at the mercy of the system in this case. :( i just keep hoping one of these days i will call and they'll say "yep, you have been approved!" *hugs*

That probably explains the hold up. If there's only one classification worker then the approval will take a bit of time.

I hope that call comes soon for you though. I remember when I got mine. I was packed before we hung up. :)

I bet you are going to get that call soon!
You will be so happy to FINALLY visit after all this time...

DJ...i hope so! i am ready to go as soon as i hear! unfortunately, my friend cannot call me. death row inmates do not have phone privileges :( so, i will continue to irritate the cva on a weekly basis! :P thanks for the support! *hugs*

I'm sorry it is taking you so long to get approved. NC doesn't require background checks which I'm sure you already know. A friend of mine went through a background check in Georgia and it took around 3 weeks to get approved. Fortantly we all know they probably could care less how long you have to wait. Know what I mean?

April...
Do you both get to correspond through letters then since he can't call?

Renee...
You are right on the 1 that they could care less whether the guys get visits or not. Why should it bother them, right?

muffin: it seems florida wants me to give them AT LEAST 6 weeks to 'process' me. :( i am packed and ready to take off as soon as i get the word, tho!

DJ: the only way we can correspond is through letters. that's one reason i would love to be able to go visit him. it's difficult to get a real "read" on someone when the only interaction occurs on paper! plus, florida has a new "centralized" mail system which is holding up that portion of our correspondence, too! eek!

*hugs*

Yeah I know what you mean april about that...
At first when EJ & I were "friends" & only writing before I gave him my phone #, I could sense he was interested in me from the way his letters were, but I held off because like you said you can't get that "read" on someone through a letter.
When he could call & I got to visit THAT was a different story!!

I hope that they get the ball rolling for ya soon girl! I know you are probably dying to go see him!! I will be keeping you in my good thoughts that somebody gets going so you can see him SOON!!!

Aprilcat....
I have been trying to deal with the CVA in FL recently too!! I am flying down to visit another PTO member and want to meet her SO.... I have had a heck of a time just trying to get through!!! May they be speedy in approving you.... Stay on 'em!!

JDs!!! I hate that you are having to deal with CVA, but at least we can commiserate together! Have you mailed in your application yet? You can only obtain one from an inmate. Everytime I call CVA, they are always nice, but they are S L O W as the dickens! *hugs*

k...i'm venting.....no word on visitation......no letter in 10 days.....:( this hurts..... :( wwwaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh

Actually.... I stopped even trying to deal with CVA.... My friend in Florida is going to call and talk to the warden at the prison that her man will be at.... it's a little confusing because he has been at this one prison in FL for about a year and a half, but was sent to NY regarding a pending charge.... well, that case is resolved, so he will be going back to Florida SOON... but NOT soon enough to go through the process of HIM sending me an application!! So she is contacting the warden (who she has contacted before regarding issues and who has been helpful) and talking to him directly about approving a "special visit" considering the circumstances AND the distance I am traveling! Will definitely keep you posted on how OUR thing turns out!! I was just getting AGGRAVATED trying to call them and listening to the little recording that says they couldn't TAKE my call because their operators were busy... it would just disconnect me and didn't even give me the option of "staying on the line for the next available operator..." What kind of @#$% is that?!?!

that is bs in texas they just put you on a list. We to deal with the classification officer not a counslor or case manager they do not exist in texas..

shortie...in that regard, be glad you're in texas! this "process" is taking forever. 12 days, no letter, :(

that sucks well keep us posted and I will just pray you hear something soon.

Aprilcat,

In Arizona they tell you right off the bat that it will take at LEAST 30 days. And you better be squeeky clean for that backgroung check.

Juniors own mother was rejected because of her criminal history.

lizbeth

lizbeth: i am pretty squeaky clean (at least on paper!). it's amazing what they put people through to see a loved one. it must be very hard on junior's mother not to be able to see her son. i am glad you are able to visit him ~ i'm sure it's a great solace to you both. *hugs*

Have you heard anything yet about visitation? I know my friend in Texas can only add people to his visiting list once every 6 months. So thats why I can go visit him till September! I definitelt understand what you mean by the "waiting" thing. I can't wait to see him ...it's been so many years!

sandy...haven't heard a thing yet! i have been trying to call to check on the status of my application today, but the lines are busy. i know i haven't been approved yet, but i am hoping i am at least showing up in the system.

anthony can only add people every 6 months to his visiting list? what a bummer! i know that when you finally see him, it will be a very intense moment for both of you!!! september will be here before we know it! time flies!

*hugs*

aprilcat...

I bet you are going to get that approval soon!! It seems they are taking forever though w/your request, I didn't think it would ever take that long to be put on somebodies visitation list...eek!!

Have you heard from your friend?

just called cva.....they haven't processed my application yet :( they said "try again next week, please". :argh:

Those wretched people!! You want I should call em'? Cuz now I got Juice like that! Just playing!! I really do think it is lousy you guys have to wait soooo long!!

i'll ask miss apricot and ask if she would like you to intervene. you are one hell of a detective, dear ;) xo

Good luck girl....got my fingers crossed you hear something soon :)

at least they said please.... :pissed:
I sent an application form to visit a friend in Vacaville,CA over 2 years ago, I never heard if I was approved, so I take that as a no...

oh dear! @ soraya. if i don't hear something in the next 2 weeks, i am going to call my friends classification officer @ fsp and see if he can help me out. i'm giving up on the folks in tallahassee. i hate to apply again, because it will be more of the same *sigh*

Aprilcat,

Yes it is hard on Juniors mom to not see her son. I tell her as much as I can. I forward my phone to her on a regular basis. (she can't get collect calls either) So at least she can talk to her son.

lizbeth

CVA has my application!!! Now they are asking me to wait several more weeks so they can complete the background check! Thank God they got the damned piece of paper, though! :D

THAT'S A GOOD START! SHOULDN'T BE LONG NOW!!

Hey that's great to hear aprilcat!!!

FINALLY something is moving, moving slowly, but getting there!!
Keep us posted on how things are going!

that's good news. keep us updated. Im keeping my fingers crossed

Good to hear girl.....hang in there!

So you broke down & called or they wrote you?
I am thrilled to hear this is finally going somewhere!

i called ~ i'm not afraid to call cva, vnv, just the prison! :D

LOL! When did you call? I can't believe I didn't know this??
For shame! You better give up more details, woman...

honey, i call every thursday....lol that's my "check in day" with cva. it's generally some grouch that barks to me "we don't have it yet" but this week, the grouch said "we've received it, but give us 6 weeks for background check". xoxo

6 MORE WEEKS THAT IS CRAZY

Hey, whatever it takes. That's how I feel, whats a few more weeks in comparison?

IT'S ALL IN HOW YOU LOOK AT IT-A FEW WEEKS IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN NEVER

i agree ~ i am just relieved they received the application (or
rather entered it into the system). at least i know progress is being made, however slow. you know the minute i hear of approval, i'll head straight here and post it! :p then, another 2 weeks to visit since i have to let my friend know when i plan to come ~ no phone calls allowed on dr :( i'm just happy something happened...

When Billy got to the prison I had to fill out a background check. It took a month to get me accepted but when it happened I was elated!! To feel Billy again was the best feeling in the world. Just be patient, OK!! Things will work out for the best. :)

thanks, denise! i sure appreciate any and all support right now! :)

You're welcome...I try to help in any way!! :)

apricat...

Any updates on the processing since they got your application girl?

dj ~ i'll call again on thursday, honey. that's my "let me irritate the crap out of cva" day! :p *hugs*

Oh yeah that's right...FORGOT girl!!
I am wishing it was Thursday 1 more day closer to Friday...haa haa!!
Keep us posted...

hey, girls ~ well, i made my thursday call to cva. i'm still not approved! they have my application in the system, but have not completed the background check. she said they are 8 weeks behind *sigh* so...more "hurry up and wait". *hugs*

HANG IN THERE- IT'S "GONNA" HAPPEN

aprilcat...

You ARE going to get there girl!! You ARE going to get there...keep on repeating that!
The way the days seem to be rushing by you will be telling us very soon that you got approved & you are going to see your friend!

I hope you get approved soon. Try to be patient. Things will be fine... :)

well, i went a little crazy this morning and called cva on a tuesday!!! :p they are currently running the background check and the woman said i should know something within the next 10 days or so!!!! :D yippee!!!

HOLY CRAP!! THAT IS AWESOME!!!
I'M ALL SMILES FOR YOU!!

wow counting the days!!

yippee!!!! i might get to florida before summers over yet! :D

apricat...


Girl you should see my smile over here for you while I read your posts!! :)

I bet you are happy things are moving along a little faster for you now huh??

Keep us posted on how things are going & before you know it you will get to see your friend!! :yes:

awwww....dj, honey, thanks! i was thrilled just knowing there's an end to all this! *hugs*

APRILCAT:

THEY GIVE YOU ANSWERS AT THE TIME JUST TO APEASE YOU..... KEEP ON CALLING EVERY WEEK.... PROBABLY, EACH TIME YOU CALL NOW, YOU WILL GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER. BUT KEEP CALLING..... AT LEAST THEY KNOW YOU ARE STILL WAITING.

HOPE ITS NOT TOO LONG NOW HON....

LOVE YA
DONNA

well ~ i called cva today (couldn't on thursday cause i was in a class) and this woman i talked to today agreed to transfer me to an "application reviewer"....i got her voicemail and explained i am trying to coordinate a visit and would she please call me back. we'll see what happens! i feel like i am in the middle of a soap opera "the incredibly slow wheels of the florida cva".....

fingers crossed!!

fingers crossed for sure! I hope the lady's window is open and a storm will blow away everything she has laying on her desk, so all she can do is call you LOL

Here's more fingers crossed for aprilcat!! :)

hehehehe ~ soraya i LOVE that plan! let's hope a rain is pouring over tallahassee....although i haven't heard a thing yet! it's been 45 minutes!!!! :D

Hi Aprilcat...as you already know I can relate to the 'waiting':)
I know that it will all go through for you, so hang in there!!
Pam

thanks so much, pam!!! lucky you, your visit is just around the corner, honey!!! *hugs*

Aprilcat... Have you heard anything yet?? Be persistent girl and point out that you are traveling a distance.... I flew down to FL yesterday and managed to get approved for a special visit this weekend by today!! (It took A LOT of calls!!) So... it can be done girl!!
--Shawna

shawna: i'm so happy for you! you had to fly down there to get all this done? i am planning to go down the first weekend in august. if i am not approved through "general" channels by the middle of july, i plan to call the head of classification at fsp and talk to him. i think the prison can approve me for a "special visit" before i get through the cva process. as i'm writing this, i'm thinking maybe i should call down there this week! i have the guys name at home in a letter, so....

i am so happy you are going to be able to visit! you must tell me how it all went! i'll be thinking of you!

*hugs*

called cva today....i guess my call last friday did SOMETHING because my application is now being handled by a PROCESSOR and i should know whether i am approved WITHIN THE WEEK!!!! :) i am so happy!!! i wrote my friend and told him i want to come the first weekend in august. looks like things are finally beginning to happen!!!!

I'm so happy for you. I'm glad that you'll finally get a visit.

You know it's only a month away!! I'm feeling nervous! LOL It's not even my visit and I am freaking out!

aaaackkkkkk!!!!!!

Aprilcat.... I am glad to hear you are getting somewhere (finally!) I HAD to request the special visit, because the inmate had been extradited to NY and was just returned to Florida the day before I flew down.... We had a great visit, although it was hard to be in a prison all weekend and witness (and participate in) a 6 hour contact visit... made me miss JD terribly and want so badly to have that kind of visitation with him!!
I am sure your friend is soooo excited!!! :)

shawna: i'm thinking i need to go ahead and call florida state prison NOW and start the special 2-day visit process...it's so good to know all went well with yours. i am hoping the weekend in prison won't be TOO bad ~ maybe my friend and i can pretend we're somewhere else! ;) congratulations!!! *hugs*

Aprilcat.... from my experience, once you sit down face to face... the entire world around you disappears... it is just you and the person you care about!! :)

she's right!
what guards? what people?
gee, are those kit kat's in that vending machine?

I GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to this really GREAT woman at CVA!!! She called ME on Friday and asked that I stay on the phone with her while she went through the whole rigamorol and then she said "barbara, you are approved to see mr ****." I am planning to go to Florida on August 2 and then visit with my friend Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th. I'll keep you all up to date, but I'm SURE all the support here got through to those folks in Florida! Thanks SO MUCH!!! *hugs*

Yes!!! So happy for you!!!

Now you must shop...

ac--yes!!!--your patience has payed off!!!

Where in Florida is your friend? Maybe he's close by me?? Let me know,
Michelle

thanks, guys! i am so excited and scared and happy and nervous ~ probably will be for the next several weeks!

bella, he is at florida state prison in starke/raiford on death row. anywhere close to you???

:)

Aprilcat...I just read all these posts...Wow a lot has happened since I've been gone. I am SO HAPPY for you. As you know, my visit went well...10 hours! I can't wait to hear all about it...it'll be here before you know! And Vnvdvc is right ....about the shopping!! (smile) Talk to you soon!

Pam

thanks, pam! can't wait to "confer" with you! i am just so pleased all went great for you! you deserved it!!!!

Unfortunately he is about 9 hours away from me :(

oh, bummer! wouldn't it be nice if you were closer?!?! would love to meet you ~ maybe another time. one of these days, i need to get down to the fort lauderdale area to conduct some research on his case....maybe then?!?! :)

any ideas on what a person should wear to visit for the first time? fsp's visitation area is NOT air conditioned, and they don't allow shorts or skirts that fall more than 3" above the knee!

IF THEY ALLOW CAPRIS-HOW ABOUT CAPRIS AND A SORT SLEEVED T???

JUST MAKE SURE THE NECKLINE IS NOT TOO LOW AND YOU CANT SEE THROUGH

good idea @ capri's, sherri ~ have never worn a pair in my life, so this will give me the opportunity to try another new thing! *hugs*

APRILCAT

WAY TO GO GIRL..... I KNEW YOU WOULD MAKE IT... SEE, PERSISTANCE DOES PAY..... PATIENCE TOO....

DO WEAR THE CAPRI'S... THAT SHOULD FIT MOST DRESS CODES... WHO KNOWS


LOVE YA
DONNA

Hi AC-
Since I went to the library, my user name is mixed up...but I had to reply to 'what to wear'....I too, vote for the capri's...that's what I wore...and I work this really pretty top...it was kinda crochet (not sure how to spell that), but it was 'see through' on the stomach...and it was passable...all in how you present yourself, but you definitly want something feminine! Girl...we have to talk...I know EXACTLY what you going through *smiling at you*!!!!!

Pamela

thanks for the advice, guys ~ i secreted my Belk card i had forbidden myself from using out of it's hiding place and will go get some capri's this weekend! :) i want to thank all of you for being so wonderfully supportive.

pam, you bet we need to talk!

*hugs* all

Aprilcat...

I have been gone for a bit, but I finally got around to reading your posts!! I am SOO happy for you that you are approved & you will be seeing your friend very soon!! You had gone through a whole lot of trouble, but it seems to be paying off.

Things to wear...the capris sound good. I have worn skirts & pants along w/low neck line blouses. I got away w/them because I did a little "adjusting" when I was signing in. I fixed them a whole lot better when I saw EJ..hee hee!!

You are too funny, DJ!!! LOL

DJ!!!!! good to see you back, honey!!! yes a lot has happened! how was your vacation?!?!

UPDATE: They moved my friend from FSP to UCI!!!! The visitation policies are TOTALLY different, so where at FSP, I could have visited Sat and Sun, no problem, I have to now request a special 2-day visit. I talked to my friends classification officer and he needed a written request, so needless to say, I printed off a letter so damn fast my own head spun and tore off to the PO Box on the corner near my office. SO ~ I will have to call down next week to make sure it was received and all is ok for the Friday and Saturday visit. I still need you all to hang in here with me....i think i need to scream AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Much Better
:D

Vacation wasn't good, if you get a minute check out the Here to Hear you section under Pinckneyville CC sucks & you will know why girl!!

I am thinking more good thoughts for you girl! Keeping fingers & toes crossed as well...I am going to scream for you as well. Maybe it will make me feel better over here!! Keep us posted on how everything is going! You ARE going to see your friend...keep that in your head girl!

thanks, dj! i read your post ~ you poor baby!!! jeez....

i am trying to stay positive here ~ it's getting hard, tho! i mailed off a letter yesterday to the classification officer requesting a "special" visit on friday, august 2. i hope someone gives me a break and let's that happen. :(

*hugs*

Well I am going to be thinking good thoughts for you girl!! Something good better come out of all your hard work in trying to see your friend or they will have to answer to ME..hee hee!!
I have a ton of pent up frustration w/the DOC that I would just LOVE to let loose!

Aprilcat, Hi There, Just wanted to Respond to your Question. I Live In Florida and have a Old Love In Prison. Yes, I had to have a Background Check done on myself. I was in the County Jail here 5 years ago. It took the people 3 Months to Approve me to go and see him. Today is going to be my First Visit. If you are gettting the run around about finding out if you have been approved to see your friend here in florida, Let me know and I will put you in Contact with the Person who can Checkand let you know when you will be approved!! Just email me, o.k?? Florida Department of Corrections takes there sweet time doing anything and Everything!! Hope to hear from you and best of luck to you!!

tweetie, i finally had my visit this past weekend, actually! congratulations on your visit! i know you must be thrilled! mine was wonderful, if a little bittersweet ~ info is posted under "general capital punishment". i hope your visit goes great! *hugs*

I know when I went to see David I add to fill out a back ground check thing to I guess it depends on what state and what prison there in to I guess cause I did not need one at the one my brother is in here in illinois but David I did and hes in illinois also....

Aprilcat - I know, I had to wait almost 3 months to see my loved one in Florida. They give you 4-6 wks to "get in the system" and then up to 2 months after that, depending on how busy they are at that time. If you continuously call, I mean every day, I have heard that they will move a little quicker. I've only been in FL for 3 yrs and everything is slow, especially the anything having to do with the prison system. Do you have all the phone numbers to Tallahassee? I honestly do not believe the CO has anything to do with it - it all goes up to Tallahassee and they process all the information. You can call the CO for updates and such, but with such big prisons, he might not have time to get back to you, so i'd suggest to just deal with Tallahassee - I called them everyday until the wonderful day I got approved - it'll happen, hang in there! Also, if you are out of state (FL) then you can get a special visit, we did that for his cousins in Chicago, but it shouldn't take longer than 10-14 days, all you have to do is get your SS info to them I think (to the CO), but if the CO is giving you the run around, deal with Tallahasse, they're pretty helpful there. Well, good luck, I hope you get to come visit real soon!

Yep they all do and it can take a really long time or real short. The average I believe is 4 to 6 weeks.

Stay on top of them if you don't hear back by then.

Staff has this controll thing about holding up applications and then not telling anyone.
take care;
Mike

I HAD TO GET APPROVED IN CALIFORNIA AND IT TOOK FOREVER. BUT HE WAS MOVING AROUND SO MUCH THAT IS WHY, I SENT IT IN JUNE AND GOT IT BACK IN AUGUST. I KNEW THERE COULD BE NOTHING WRONG IM CLEAN AS A WHISTLE. (HA! HA!)