Hi all :wave:,

I am relatively new here and have a couple of questions I am hoping someone can help me with.

I have been corresponding with someone in Holman for a couple of months now and will be heading down that way, well 4 hours away but that is certainly close in relative terms, some time around the end of February. I am considering suggesting a visit to my pal but I'm not even sure that would be appropriate :confused:, but since I am in Canada the chance for visits will be few and far between.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me about how long it takes to obtain clearance for visitation. I don't want to suggest a visit if it wont materialize (talk about a let down) due to clearance. Can anyone give me some idea about the proceedure? In addition any information/suggestions anyone could provide with what to expect would be helpful in the event it materializes.

Thanks in advance,
E.

I am sorry that I don't know the answer to your questions, but I did want to say Hello & Welcome To PTO. Hopefully someone who can help you will come along soon.

Welcome to PTO...He would have to get you put on his visitation list, and how long it would take depends on the prison, it could take 2 weeks or 1 month. He would need your birthdate, full name, and I think your social security number, you would also when you visited need a picture ID (drivers license)

You can't wear anything white when you visit and make sure you wear a bra and panties (they will check) you can take money to visit but it can only be $30 in silver change (vending machines) you can only carry in your drivers license, key to your car, and your change.

Hi,

Thank you for both the welcome and the info. Its greatly appreciated.

E.

Welcome... and yes, most of the time visitation additions only take a couple of weeks once the inmate submits your info, tho it could take a little longer, but two weeks is generally the norm...

Hi all,

Thanks again for your info and warm welcome, it was much appreciated. Just wanted to update everyone, it looks like the visit is a go. Ironically, as I was writing my letter to suggest a visit, he was doing the same....:eek:

Again, any further info with regards to what to expect, suggestions for places to stay in the area and such are always a help.

Thanks Again,

E.

elenwe:

Hi there my fellow Canadian, and welcome to PTO! :wave: I am in Windsor(just four hours from you!) and I am traveling to Alabama in April to visit my boyfriend who is also at Holman. I am SO excited, and can hardly wait!! I am also REALLY nervous! I think that is normal, the first time around though! Visiting a prison for the first time can be kind of intimidating, but it's all worth it to be able to get to spend that precious time with your loved one!

For ALL the information you will need to know about visitation and visiting room procedure, visit http://www.doc.state.al.us/docs/AdminRegs/AR303.pdf

I too have heard that two weeks is the norm, but my boyfriend submitted the form a month in advance just to be on the safe side! But he said generally, it only takes about a week. As long as you do not have a criminal record or have never worked for the DOC you should have no problem being approved. You will have to provide FULL name(as it appears on your birth certificate) address, telephone number, birth date, your relationship to the inmate, and social insurance number(so that they can run a background check).

I have heard that the dress code is VERY strict and it IS enforced, so bring a change of clothes just in case! Is your pen pal/friend in general population or administrative segregation? If he is in administrative segregation, visiting days are the LAST Tuesday of the month, from 8-2.
Oh, and while you DO need photo identification to enter the prison, it DOES NOT have to be a passport or driver's license. I was told that a birth certificate and Ontario Health card(with photo) would be sufficient.

Thank God, because I don't HAVE a passport, and there isn't enough time left to apply for one now! However, if you are traveling by AIR or SEA you will require a passport. If you are driving(like me) then you will not require one until 2008!

You are allowed to bring $20 in change with you, in a clear plastic bag. And if you and your pen friend want to have a picture taken together, make sure that he purchases the tickets IN ADVANCE. I believe that they are $3 a piece! Such a nice memento, to take home with you! :)

Hope that helps. If you have any more specific questions, please free to ask! We are all a very friendly bunch, and always willing and eager to help each other out the best we can! :thumbsup:

I hope that you have an absolutely WONDERFUL visit, and that it is everything that you hoped it would be and then some! Please let us all know how it went! I will be sure to do the same! Not much longer now, before I get to see my baby! :yay:

Lisa

Your pen friend is not married is he? I ask because if he IS, married male inmates are NOT allowed to have a female friend on their visitor's list. Bogus I know! Not to talk about OUTDATED, but what can you do? :shake:

Oh, and my sweetie was telling me that there is a "Best Western" hotel down the road, with reasonable rates! I believe he said $75 a night! That is where my best friend and I will be staying the night prior to our visit. Not much to do in Atmore, from what I hear. It is BORING! :sleepy: LOL Nothing but farm land, Steven tells me! Thankfully my friend and I will have our rental car, so we won't be confined to one spot! After our visit, we are going to Atlanta! Big city, with lots to see and do! If there is anyone on the board from Atlanta and you could suggest some interesting places to visit, or things to do, please do tell! Thanks all! :thumbsup:

Lisa

Welcome Elen..... as you see we all try to pitch in and help when ever someone needs it.
I have been to visit my Loved one which is at Holman... and will be going back in March again... so if i can help you with any questions.. feel free to ask, since i have "been there done it" at Holman.
the biggest thing is i would MAKE SURE he gets the approval form back before you show up.. and something has taken too long.. gotten put off.. or forgotten.. ( nothing is done fast in there) yes the norm is about 2 weeks.. however mine did take longer.. you never know.
the visiting days are different for each area of the prison... Seg is the 4th tuesday of the month, pop is on the weekend( i'm not too sure as the date, since mine is in SEG).. but someone is always around on the board to ask.
the dress code is pretty strict... no stretch pants... no low cut tops.. jeans and t'shirt always works.. but do bring a change of clothes just in case AND Shoes... no jewerly of any kind can be worn in.. and only 20.00 in unrolled quarters can be carried in , in a see through bag. only bring in you car key.. photo ID.. and change( make sure you lock your doors.. and don't leave a purse out so it can be seen) they have been known to pull youoff the visiting yard to go back to your car to fix those things.. and no one wants to waste a minute of their visit for something like that.
anyhow... I hope that everything gets set up and it's a go for ya.
May you have a safe trip and a wonderful visit.
*Bama*