Are the phones working on yard 4 yet?? (Of course I just got my phone where I can receive phone calls.:cool: )

The reason I am asking/needing to know is that I am dial up and if the phones are working again I need to be off here at the times I told him to call.

Sorry, don't know yet. I'll try to find out. I know there is modified lockdown today for Capt. Griffith's funeral so phones may not be available anyway.

TY...much appreciated.


Sorry, don't know yet. I'll try to find out. I know there is modified lockdown today for Capt. Griffith's funeral so phones may not be available anyway.

So they get to use the phone whent ever they want? well it depents on what yard they are right?

oh is it truth that when they tranfer them to another prison they take of time? because he his doing 85% do they take off the time they were in there from jail to reception?

I don't really know when the times are they are allowed to use the phones. My guess is whenever the prison or whoever is in charge decides to turn them on. I have only ever received one phone call and it was about 7pm. The phones on yard 4 are not working right now or as of at least a couple weeks ago and Paul said at that time they had been told they might not have them for 3 weeks. Thats why I was asking if anyone had received any calls from yard 4. I don't know about the other yards phones...hell what am I saying, I don't even know about 4's phones:cool:



So they get to use the phone whent ever they want? well it depents on what yard they are right?

I have no idea about that. I am not really sure I understand your question though.


oh is it truth that when they tranfer them to another prison they take of time? because he his doing 85% do they take off the time they were in there from jail to reception?

There are phones working on 4 yard and they have been, just had to find which side of the building was working one side has some nasty phones with wires exposed and poor reception (lots of static and hard to hear).

About the phone times, what they do is normally the co's put out a phone sign up list, the inmates sign up for a time and then they can call once the co's turn the phones on. All yards have phone times, it can be anywhere from 6am til 9pm I believe that they can sign up for, also think if the phones are on and no list or no one behind them they could / can call back if your willing to accept the charges.

Although if they are on modified program their really isn't any phone calls OR lockdown then they do not get to use them period.
Some co's don't turn the phones on when they are suppose to either, sometimes they forget to put the sign up sheets out also, so they need to be asked for them.
You loved ones time will be counted in reception, when he is assessed I believe is when the time is calculated, then they get transferred to that prison with the information, he will be assigned a counselor and they too will go over things with him. (IF I remember correctly that is about this part of it) ...

Alrighty then....Let's see if I can make this mud more clear......The county time is usually credited 3 days for every 2 served, then, he gets sent to reception (let's say North Kern as an example).
While in reception, they will determine his LEVEL status and do testing (TABE), etc. Once their Level is established, it determines where they can be transferred. Also, if he is a first timer, he may be allowed to enter the "Bridging" program. This is an educational program where the inmates have "workbooks" that they need to complete, and, if successful, they could be eligible for 1/2 time, instead of 85% time. However, it also depends on the nature and severity of their crimes as to whether or not they may be allowed to enter the Bridging program.
Once transferred, like to Avenal, within about 10 days, they go to "Committee". It is here they will be given their TABE scores, and, will be classified for work status,and, they will know how well they have done, or been doing, on their "bridging" etc. They will also get their "out" date.
Some places, like Corcoran, don't have the bridging program, so, in committee, inmates are/have been accused of lying about it and accused of stealing the books they have been given at NKSP. It depends on the institution they go to.
As far as phones on 4 Yard, some work, some do not. The phone times can be confusing because in some parts of 4 Yard they have GP inmates still, as well as SNY, so, because they have to be kept seperate, COs can be confused, or indifferent to phone usage times. Give it a couple of weeks to see if there's any progress. In the meantime, there is always letter writing....:)

Paul is in the gym. Maybe that is the side they are messed up on??

Am I to understand that if a judge gives you 85% to serve that someone else can change it to 50%? Barb
Alrighty then....Let's see if I can make this mud more clear......The county time is usually credited 3 days for every 2 served, then, he gets sent to reception (let's say North Kern as an example).
While in reception, they will determine his LEVEL status and do testing (TABE), etc. Once their Level is established, it determines where they can be transferred. Also, if he is a first timer, he may be allowed to enter the "Bridging" program. This is an educational program where the inmates have "workbooks" that they need to complete, and, if successful, they could be eligible for 1/2 time, instead of 85% time. However, it also depends on the nature and severity of their crimes as to whether or not they may be allowed to enter the Bridging program.
Once transferred, like to Avenal, within about 10 days, they go to "Committee". It is here they will be given their TABE scores, and, will be classified for work status,and, they will know how well they have done, or been doing, on their "bridging" etc. They will also get their "out" date.
Some places, like Corcoran, don't have the bridging program, so, in committee, inmates are/have been accused of lying about it and accused of stealing the books they have been given at NKSP. It depends on the institution they go to.
As far as phones on 4 Yard, some work, some do not. The phone times can be confusing because in some parts of 4 Yard they have GP inmates still, as well as SNY, so, because they have to be kept seperate, COs can be confused, or indifferent to phone usage times. Give it a couple of weeks to see if there's any progress. In the meantime, there is always letter writing....:)

thanks alot for your information that really help me.

Yes Barb......Some even get 35% when and if they go to fire camp.

I got a phone call from Paul today!!!! The phones were in the gym at least for today.

My man is is 4 yard he usally calls me everyday but today I didn't hear anything from him did anyone else hear from there men today? And I have another question my man said that he's hearing in there that it is so full that the guys that have 50% to do are going to do 35% and the ones with 65% are going to do 50% has anyone else in there heard that? I can't wait to go see my baby but the way you guys say there is no food there that's crazy I wanna take my 2 kids but there 1 and 2 is it really bad when you go visit? I got denied in Delano for a FTP and a FTA but they said in Avenal you don't get denied for a FTP and I took care of that FTA so I hope I get to see him it's been alost 3 months sence I seen him :( well if anyone knows anything let me know PLEASE !!!!

Don't think the rumors are true, otherwise my son would be out in February and he hasn't mentioned anything like that, and believe me, he would. The only way guys get 35% is by going to fire camp if they have more than 3 years left to serve, or is it 4 years??....
Visiting for a 1 and 2 year old can be tough. Especially because you can't let them just run around unsupervised. They need to stay right there with you, otherwise, your visit could get cut short. Food is expensive, if there IS any food. Otherwise there is usually some candy in the machines, and some people with young kids volunteer to cut their visit short so they can go to town and feed the kids. I have seen that happen more than once.

4 Yard phones were fixed as of last night so, calls should be forthcoming.

Thanks Nanoguy!!



4 Yard phones were fixed as of last night so, calls should be forthcoming.

From what I know and hear there is a proposal for decrease the % of time by 15%, although it has NOT passed it is being discussed... if I find out more I'll let you know.

Yeah...That's been a rumor since at least last August, based on California AB 40, I wouldn't trust it much.
Original Joke: How does one take a shower on 3 Yard?....Make sure you have a top bunk and wait for the rain.......
I know, I know....Not really funny but, what else can we do about leaking roofs that we haven't already tried?
How about this one..........
How do you get the Emergency Power & Lights to come on at Avenal?
.
.
.
Cut the power completely for 10 minutes(like in a rain storm) turn it back on, then, wait for 1 hour.

How do you make a human popsicle?.................Send them to 3 Yard in the winter.
How do you thaw them out?............................Send them to 3 Yard in the summer.

Sad, but true. I'm just getting started.......Think I'll go write the Judge.

I was just wondering if you could tell me possibly what ways there are or what things I can do so my fiancee can call me and our son, his letters i send to him hardly ever get to him

How long has he been there, and, what specifically do you mean letters "hardly ever get to him"? MCI is the phone company the system uses, so, depending on which yard he is on, he may get time to call collect to you. There are lines and phone usage cqan be sporadic. He will need to know what time is best to call you, and, you will need to set up with MCI to make sure your phone is not blocked so the collect calls will get through.

well, he's been there about 6 months and we've already had a situation with one of the CO's telling him I was writing and hooking up with someone there and I don't know anyone else out there. He's gotten none of the 4 letters I have sent him and one of them was returned 3 weeks after I mailed it and had been opened! I was asking about the phones cause I live in Florida and we don't have MCI here and my only phone is a cell phone, no land line phone or anything. Also is there a way to tell by their address what yard they're in? I'm totally new to all this.

Yes, the housing will tell you which yard....what does it start out with... for example...does it say 300's? That would be yard 3.

Kris's sister got a call yesterday and she said he said there has been a block. Says this number doesn't accept collect calls!!! So I called 1800collect...and D@$#. I don't I can't believe this. So I am thinking I should start with SBC on getthing the block removed?????

I think you have to call that MCI #.....that is who the prison deals with. Their phones are different than a regular pay phone. We have to set up an account with MCI to receive the calls....this isn't just a regular pay phone they walk up to to call you....it is a phone on prison grounds that has special features and works 1 way.

Well that was just it...I called from my cellphone, then again from somones hone.
I tried 1-800 collect. At this point it is an SBC issue. So I am calling them to find out what is going on, I am thinking it was blocked when I set the service up originally.
I will keep posting. Thanks for everything

I think you have to call that MCI #.....that is who the prison deals with. Their phones are different than a regular pay phone. We have to set up an account with MCI to receive the calls....this isn't just a regular pay phone they walk up to to call you....it is a phone on prison grounds that has special features and works 1 way.

It starts with 320. I just hope i can get a letter through withhim

LADY'S!!!! I got it all taken care of. Now I have to find out MCI rates. AND for him to call. I can't wait.

LADY'S!!!! I got it all taken care of. Now I have to find out MCI rates. AND for him to call. I can't wait.

Awesome! When he calls, you can press a button to hear the exact amount of per minute and the connect fee...my calls from Avenal to Riverside County are $5.30 for 15 minutes.

It starts with 320. I just hope i can get a letter through withhim

That means he is on yard 3 in building 320. I hope you get a letter to him too.
Did you read the Avenal Guide on the front page of the Avenal posts to make sure you are sending in what is accepted? Remember, no lipstick, stickers or address labels on the envelope.

Awesome! When he calls, you can press a button to hear the exact amount of per minute and the connect fee...my calls from Avenal to Riverside County are $5.30 for 15 minutes.

GIRLFRIEND...you are the greatest. I didn't know I had it all figured out the I would be on the phone again tomorrow!! THANKS so much. I am in San Diego so it shouldnt be too much more. I am going to just transfer the calls to my cell so I don't miss his call