Are there no new complaints?

News?

Gossip?

Seems like this site has gotten awlful quiet lately so I'm just curious.

Naw...Same stuff different day. The buses have slowed down the dumping onto 4 Yard and they have 2 of the housing units converted.......Uh......There were 4 different fights on 3 Yard yesterday.......Some were...ahem....alcohol related.....Go figure.

Does any one know if yard three is on lockdown? No calls for a couple of days.

My husband called me on Sunday, said they were to back to ESL on Monday. He then called on Monday and when I asked him if he was learning anything new, he told me "how" the teacher sleeps most of the class, and he does not teach us much. Is this the kind of thing that always goes on? Why do they hire lazy people? Maybe if they kept them busy they would not get into to much trouble!!!!!

Interesting 3 yard having all those fights, I was positive it was another yard especially since I was on the phone when they happened, they too were ETOH related.

Phones are up and running on 3 yard. I talked to my man 4 or 5 times today!

4 or 5 times?...Damn....I don't want your phone bill thank you. As an aside, one of the wings at San Quentin is on lockdown because of a brawl that broke out in the dining hall about 7pm last night. 23 inmates injured, 2 staff. And where is Jesse Jackson now that Governor Schwarzennegger has denied Clarence Ray Allan a clemency hearing? Just curious.....

Ummmm I give up?

Paul is supposed to call tomorrow, I will ask him if there is any news from the gym on yard 4 or if he knows of any other news/happenings.

Ummmm I give up?

Ok....I talked to Paul and from what he said yard 2 is on lockdown because a part on the meat slicer was taken. Yard 3 has taken over the main kitchen. Yard 4 has been quiet although he did mention that there has been some talk about a strike coming from the kitchen workers but that most are against it as then they lose any good time/work time for the period they are on strike. Don't know if I have all the facts relayed accurately as its hard to fit everything into a 15 min conversation once a week...lol.

Strike is not real likely. Uh, there are over 1000 guys there that don't have jobs and would like one so, if they strike, it'll be short lived as they can be replaced quickly and easily.

Thats for sure, my hubby is waiting for an opportunity to work... Also I heard that there is a rumor about Avenal is going to stop giving the inmates fresh fruit? My hubby said he heard the rumor was no more apples and oranges! Whats up with that? Also they are going to stop all the outside orders for clothing and shoes? I did not know you could wear anything but prison issued clothing? Has anyone hear the rumors???

The stopping of apples and oranges would be to cut out the "pruno" or home made wine they make from the peels and skins. As for clothing, yes, you can order outside clothing in their Quarterly Packages. Thank God for that. If we couldn't, my son would be suffering serious frostbite or exposure, since there is no heat in his building. At least the thermals we got him help keep him warm.

What is ETOH?
And I hope they do cut out fresh fruit if it will get rid of the pruno thing but my husband has told me other ways that it can be made, so they might just need to start giving ALOT more serious time to those having anything to do with the making and drinking of it. With a husband not home for his substance addictions, I have zero tolerance for any form of substance ever again!
They can get non-prison issued clothes thru quarterly packages...but they can't wear them during a visit. I think there are rules for where they can wear them even in the prison, like not to work. If your husband is gonna be there for a few seasons...I suggest getting him shorts and tshirts for the summer months and thermals and sweats for now, cause as far as any climate control..their clothes are all they have to stay cool or keep warm!

ETOH=Ethel Alcohol........Booze.

Yes my hubby will be there for a few seasons, I will look into ordering him some warm clothes for the winter and cooler clothes for the hotter months, thats if they do not put a stop to ordering them. I was wondering what ETOH ment, thanks for clearing it up for me.

Rev Jesse Jackson was at a memorial /celebration in honor of the late Dr Martin Luther King (in case you hadnt notice). I'm not going to go into the whole spill about where this or that other person is or where was anyone when a lot of stuff happened. I am going to leave it vague like that since this site is about the loved ones we have incarcerated right now.
Anyway, this was my first visit to Avenal and I was very upset by the whole place/atmosphere. I have been to a few prisons thus far & this one seemed to depress me the mose. Maybe it's due to all I read about on here then I get a chance to go & see everything manifested (sort of speak). You can tell there are not enough guards working & tempers are short. The atmosphere on the yard I was on did seem to be that of the gay/happy, "I get to see my loved one". Me I jsut be happy to see my Babe still alive & thank GOD that once again he spared his life. A prisoner life cant be easy & yes some are more guilty or innocent than others but the bottom line is that GOD has found it fit to have each one of our loved ones in Avenal at this time & we need to pray for the well being of that place. And thank GOD that the prisoner that died last night, was raped last night, hung himself last night or killed another human being last night was not our Loved One. Everyone be safe & have a good night.

Hello everyone, I spoke w/ my Babe last night & I dont think 2 yard is (or was at that time one lock down). He called me about 8pm last night so maybe it was semi-lock down or something. He also works in the kitchen so I'll have to wait to ask him about anything else. I pray he wasnt in the mix of any of that. Anyway I finally got to visit him at Avenal. He was shipped there in Sept. I was happy to see him but i dont really care for the Avenal atmosphere. At every other prison I have been at most people are seemed happy, it was actually very depressing for me. But I'll have to go back & try it again. Maybe I was just trippin. Anyway, was just checking in to the site, since the chat room is down I cant get w/ my girl Steve'sgirl....Thanks for hooking up w/ me Purpled we'll have to do it again but next time I have to stay the weekend :)

I thought the CO's were actually nice..the only ones with attitudes were the vendors...they were speaking spanish saying they wanted to hurry up and get out of there and then there was a serg. that was kinda not happy looking..but other than that...I actually saw CO's joking with visitors and smiling..this was my first time in a prison...and hopefully my last. So, I have nothing to compare it to but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be.
What is this about a prisoner dying last night? Sounds horrible and traumatic and I thank God everyday that my husband has made it thru another day!

Sharon your right, yard 2 wasn't on lockdown at all over the weekend.
Your welcome on the hook up :) Trust me when I say it wasn't always like that, what you seen, felt ... hopefully it will be better next time for you. yes one day is never enough, well for me it isn't at least. lol

Bluft,
You visited 3 yard, those co's there are nice and polite and do a wonderful job, no hassles!!! I'm glad you had a GREAT visit with your loved one and your family did well at the Oasis....

Does anyone know what is going on with the food on yard 3? Last night it was 7:30 pm and my husband said they had been called to eat about 1 1/2 hours before and still had not gone. Also he said that some of the inmates were saying that they can't buy the pots or what ever they are that they plug in to heat for their soups and coffee anymore. Does anyone know why. I checked and I could not find them in any of the places that sell the packages for inmates.

Avenal isn't allowing them to be purchased anymore if your referring to the hot pots. If you have them already you can keep them and use them otherwise you aren't allowed to get them sorry.
They started that in 2005
What they can do is see if anyone is leaving soon, if so purchase it from them.

O.K....Here's the deal.....(Hope I can type all this out and it makes sense).
5 Yard is on a hunger strike because 3/4 Yard has taken over the main kitchen on 4 Yard and, guilty conscience is getting the 5 Yard people, fearing the SNY will do to the food, the same stuff they were doing to it when they were in control and preparing food for the SNY. That's not gonna happen. The SNY are just shaking their heads saying."we are not like you. It doesn't do anybody any good to do anything to the food." Eventually, 5 Yard will run out of stores in their cells and will end up braving the mess hall.
So, yesterday, Ad-Seg (the hole) all inmates decided to block their cells. they blocked out their windows in their doors and refused to come out so, CERT was called in for each and every cell. (Cell Extraction Response Team). This delayed count for the entire prison, as each cell was opened up. This too was in response to meal issues. Paranoia is running rampant amongst GP inmates. So, that is why dinner was delayed until somewhere around 8:15pm last night. The COs would not let staff make bag dinners(lunches) to distribute because of the long delay. The next count was 10pm and went off without incident.
Hope that clears that up......
Now.........Changes coming about at Avenal this year, include :
No more SPECIAL PURCHASES. ..In light of this, some changes to Quarterly Packages will be made which include increasing the weight of a package to 48 pounds. (This will help allow for clothes and other items that might normally be special purchase items that will be allowed in QPs.)
Most of the electrical outlets will be capped off, with a few being left available for use with "stingers" but for the most part, everything will pretty much need to be battery operated.
Battery operated will include the TVs that will be allowed to soon be purchased as part of the Quarterly Packages.
I hope this clears some of this up for you.

Thanks for all the info on the changes at Avenal..do you know an approximate time frame of when things will have to run solely on batteries?

My husband called this morning and told me about the Ad-seg problem last night and how those in the kitchen had a late night....maybe those with loved ones on yard 5 could let your loved ones know about those of us here on pto that have loves ones that work in the kitchen and they really just want to serve their time and come home..I know my husband isn't about to risk having more time added to his sentence by messing with the food. Hope the problems can settle down soon around yard 5.

Good grief.

Some of the changes won't be happening until mid-to-later part of the year so, gear up now....:)

Why no more hot pots? And why will everything run on batteries? What if they have none, or can't get them. I don't understnd that place, guess I never will, seems like they just like to make things hard. Can they get batteries in the canteen? Gosh that place is a mess.

I'm not sure on if they can get batteries from canteen but I do know they can get them from quarterly packages thru Access. As far as everything else, I don't understand it either....

They can get batteries in QP and some things come with rechargeable batteries. Not ALL the plugs will be covered. They will leave like one outlet uncovered out of every5 or so. I'll check to see if batteries are available in canteen.....Yes, sometimes things don't make sense. I mean, it's alot easier to make an IED with batteries than to plug it into a wall.....Go figure.

Batteries can be purchased in canteen.
Batteries for most of the things they need them for don't last any time at all. They go through them like candy.

Yeah...What she said. And, this way, the prison saves money on power usage (so the AW can fund herself...er, I mean other "special" projects) because it's in the budget, and, Canteen makes more money because of higher usage and purchase of batteries. It's a Win-Win....for the warden.........Uh, prove me wrong......:)
Show me the BUDGET!
Sorry...sometimes I get cranky....I'll go back into my corner now. Thank you.

Concerning the food problem on yard 5(?) does this mean that they "were" doing something to yard 3's food. Seems to me that they are just letting everyone know thats what happened, other wise why would they be so scare of yard 3 doing something to the food now. Can't anyone figure out these guys (most) want to do their time and go, I know thats what my husband wants. I have my house sold, my bills paid and I am looking for a place in Mexico now. Who wants more time, we have enough now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many changes happening at Avenal this year. Has any of your loved ones volunteer to go somewhere else? Do you know if these changes are for all CA prisons or just Avenal or maybe it's the different levels, I dont know. It seems like the lower the levels the more petty the get. I could be wrong but the other prisons I've been involved in didnt seem to have as many rules regarding the personal stuff, but then again since I'm not there anymore I dont know if change is across the board. Anyway how do you start & grow an organization to take issues to the government? Or how do you get involved in one already established, anyone know? We have legitimate concerns regarding our loved ones.
Okay I look forward to hearing from someone w/ some info...(What is going on w/ the chat room, man?)

Concerning the food problem on yard 5(?) does this mean that they "were" doing something to yard 3's food. Seems to me that they are just letting everyone know thats what happened, other wise why would they be so scare of yard 3 doing something to the food now. Can't anyone figure out these guys (most) want to do their time and go, I know thats what my husband wants. I have my house sold, my bills paid and I am looking for a place in Mexico now. Who wants more time, we have enough now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My words exactly!!!

O.K...First off, let's remember Yard 5 did not prepare food for inmates on 3 Yard. 5 Yard is a Gen Pop yard, as was 4 Yard before the conversion (that is currently underway). 3 Yard has their own, albeit smaller kitchen, but 4 Yard has the MAIN kitchen. That's why before, 3 Yard would receive such delicacies as "aromatic peanut butter". Remember, Gen Pop has a "green light" on all SNY. It's not exactly the other way around, by far. So, when SNY guys are in charge of the food, ALL Gen Pops are gonna get paranoid real fast. They think turnabout is fair play, and, their guilty consciences guide them. Even Ad-Seg as we saw this past week. The SNI don't have that mindset. They just want to do their thing and get the hell outta there. They don't have anywhere near the same politics as the Gen Pops.
As for the changes to Special Purchases, there are other places that currently do it that way, that is, no Special Purchases but, Quarterly Packages only. Increased weights, tv (clear), battery operated. What really sux is being in the desert, oooppss, I'm sorry, in the Oasis in the sun, where you get absolutely CRAP reception. Granted, there are more Spanish speaking stations than anything else but, reception is still not great. Almost not worth having one. Same in Corcoran (at least on 3 Yard) and at PVSP, KVSP, and NKSP. It ain't cable!
As for stingers, or hot pots. This is a safety issue. Within the heating element is a copper coil that can, and has been used as a weapon (usually by Gen Pop). They remove it and sharpen it to knife or "pig sticking" status and use it on whomever. This can be cause for "cell searches" and, in some cases, these weapons are stored on the "yard".Usually one guy is in charge of the "cache" of weapons that are usually taped to the underside of table benches or tables. When you need a weapon, or many weapons, you go see the guy at the table, who is usually surrounded by a few of his homies.
Hope this answers some of the questions.

Yes, dull and boring. Only thing happening was an emergency count last night at 7:25pm.....Who knows why? Maybe the watch needed something to do.....:)

Anybody visit Avenal this weekend? If so how was it? And there was nothing going on this weekend? Hmmmm, havent gotten my call yet. And how do you find out if there is a block on your phone (you know when you accidently press the wrong button :( Someone please let me know.
thanks

Sharon, everything was fine as far as I know, I recieved calls, you can try calling MCI and asking them if that is who you have as your provider ....

MCI Unblock= 1-888-415-0377......:)

Good grief, all this drama, I step aside from the site for a few days and come back to all this grief, anyway's I too recieved my call this saturday with no problem and not to much was happening in yard 3. I do not understand why everyone just can't get along, like someone said in a previouse message, our loved ones just want to do there time and get the heck out of there!!!! I hope the kitchen and food situation clears up soon, no one needs to be starving themselves, I do not care what yard they are in, this is just WRONG!

I am not 100% on the actual percentage of inmates there that are "THERE TO DO THEIR TIME" I know the majority of them are, there are about 75-100 lifers STILL there from previously and then the new ones from Corcoran as well but MOST of the guys do just want to "DO THEIR TIME and GO HOME" they don't like it anymore than we do. I know many lifers just waiting on dates right now so as soon as they get them trust me they will be out of there.

Well, no one wants to be in prison, that is kinda obvious but the comment wasn't about that...it is about, get over it, get along, get rehabilitated and stop causing problems ....this is when it gets pathetic..when prisoners can't even get along with each other.
I just hope those with trouble getting along with people behind those walls can make it in life when they do get to go home, or they might be right back in the system.

But, the food strike tantrum seems to be over for now..

Paul said that they had to send the CERT team into the hole.....extracted all cells. Also, inmate grooming standards have been changed and they can now grow facial hair and the likes as long as it is kept neat.

Does anyone know why the compressor at the dentist is gonna be down for over a month? This means, the inmates can't have any dental procedures done.
Seems kinda strange that a compressor has to be down for over a month....who do we take this complaint to when inmates have dental pain and need a tooth pulled and they are told, take aspirin and come back in a month. Is there one dentist for the entire prison? This is yard 3 I am referring to. If yard 4 is sny and they have a different dental facility and that compressor is working just fine, common sense would be to send them over there....oh, but I know, they are short staffed and that will never change and they obviously have to be chaperoned to a different yard and that would take too much time out of their hectic schedule to tend to the medical needs of the inmates....silly me for thinking someone who works for CDC used their head and thought of ways to cope with a downed compressor and the medical rights of an inmate....
Anyone know more info on this and who to complain to???

All I do know, I'm so glad my husband comes home this year cause I'm so tired of dealing with CDC and what I used to refer to as my home state of California.. between this and the Governor, I'm embarrassed to tell people where I'm from.
I used to refer to the "C" word as something else..but I don't know anymore....

Bluft, oh trust me I know how frustrated you are, why the compressor is down (FOR SO LONG) I don't have a clue at this moment but I will try to find out the answer tomorrow for you and let you know. I do believe they do only have one dentist that comes into the facility as well as only one doctor, I could be wrong but I don't think so from what Steve has told me in the past and about friends I have had in the infirmary prior. Again I will try to see what is happening tomorrow and let you know.
Terri

I wonder if Jess Martinez (the guy who held the people hostage at the bank in Exeter) will get to vacation at Avenal? 2 things about what he did....(1) He just got a free "Quit Smoking" program, and (2) If he was young enough and there was a draft re-instated, he could "dodge" the draft.....
Hmmmmmm....He'll probably end up at KVSP.

Anyne know which yard those new smaller lockers are headed to that just arrived the other day?
Any know what is gonna happen when they get store once a month, therefore they buy in bulk and then they are given smaller lockers and they have a weekly inspection and whatever isn't in their locker gets confiscated?
Hhmm...just curious....
Is 3 yard the only yard that is triple bunked?

Anyne know which yard those new smaller lockers are headed to that just arrived the other day?
Any know what is gonna happen when they get store once a month, therefore they buy in bulk and then they are given smaller lockers and they have a weekly inspection and whatever isn't in their locker gets confiscated?
Hhmm...just curious....
Is 3 yard the only yard that is triple bunked?

Hmmmmm that is a good question re: the lockers. I know that Paul is triple bunked and he is in the gym on yard 4.

5 & 6 gyms are triple bunked and they are using smaller lockers already so they are probably putting more and more of them in the gyms and then going to start on the yard.

They can do the canteen more than once a month if they work it out with a bunkie, go on their date and then again on open days ;)

hello,
in case anyone besides me cares, yard 2 (210 to be exact) is on lockdown & has been since the weekend. I finally was able to talk to a counselor (not Troy's but someones) and she was pretty polite. She let me know the yard has been on lock down since the weekend. It's a shame that the counselors dont have voicemail. I have been trying to contact a Mr Simon since monday, no vm, left msg w/ secretarty but as you see i had to call back today & then they said he was working at another facility today. What is really going on....anybody out there know...

O.K....Let's see....The small lockers are rumored to be going to 4 Yard, even though 3 Yard has been waiting for quite some time for theirs. Also, 4 Yard is going to get triple bunked, everywhere.
As for 210 being on lockdown, there was a rumble Saturday night, Northerns vs. Whites. Since Ad-Seg is full at Avenal, they rolled up a 52 seat bus full of inmates and dropped them off at other institutions....KVSP got 10 or 12, but Pleasant Valley got the majority.

Believe this!!! Ordered package from Access on 1/21/06--delivered to my husband on 1/27/06. I thought it would take weeks to get there and be given to him. I guess some one is on the ball?

Congrats! The holidays are past and things are getting more back to normal. As an added improvement, now, when a package arrives for an inmate, it goes through R&R, they pull the property card and send it with the package out to the yard. Once the yard gets it, they now send the inmate a "ducat" letting them know the package is there, as opposed to how it used to be where you had to go to the package officer (when he was there) and ask if your package was there. And then, only like 10 packages a day were handed out, so, if you have a job and were working, you were screwed.

That is very good news about the change on getting packages. Thanks for that update cause I just ordered one for my husband the other day. I'll let him know to look for the "ducat", if he doesn't already know about this change.
Hope everyone is doing good and those who have had visits lately have had good ones!

Not all yards hand out the ducats, some just post a list with the names on them.

Quarterly packages have always gone through R & R, so they can be ran thru the x-ray. Books and CD's sent in now also are handed over to R & R to xray them prior to being delivered to the inmates. That just started within the past year.

There are guards that work on a evening that will also hand out the packages so they can get them of an evening when the men that work during the day can get theirs... Access is very good about shipping promptly... Steve has always been shipped out within 2 days when I use Access.

Yeah...And congrats to Sgt. McManus in visiting. She has been promoted to Lt. now and I imagine she won't be hanging out at Visitors Center anymore.

Yes, but 3 Yard is just now beginning to use the ducats, and yes, packages always go to R&R first. Doesn't keep them from sending packages to the wrong yard for no apparent reason and let them sit for a month and a half (like my son's CD Player) and then they have no reason why it was sent to 1 Yard, only to say that "they are only human" and chalk it up to human error. That's why it's good to follow up, ducats or not.

Before the change to 39 cent postage I sent my husband some 2 cent stamps, through the USPS site. I have done this many times with envolpes. They came almost 3 weeks later as a "special Purchase" The co almost did not want to give him the stamps he said he needed a form signed. Anyway he got them but was told next time to get the form and have it signed. I don't get it I did not order them on a special purchase, just the post office. Just a mistake? Has anyone had any problems like this???

Do you send them direct from the post office website to him? That is probably the problem....rules change, depending on who is working that day...
Next time just put them in with a letter to him that you send...and remember only 2 books of stamps at one time. I sent 3 and my husband had to pay 39 cents to have 40 cents worth of 2 cent stamps sent back to me for me to send him right back.

The mailroom LT. has stated only one book of stamps per envelope several times. I know that Mrs A has allowed 2 books per envelope but don't look for that to happen to much longer. I just wanted to give you a heads up!

Thanks for the update....Ya know, I get better information by coming to this site then calling the prison. I have called the mailroom a few times and whoever answers the phone tells me 2 books=40 stamps allowed per envelope. Imagine if they all did their job and told us the correct information.....and then I woke up.

The mailroom LT. has stated only one book of stamps per envelope several times. I know that Mrs A has allowed 2 books per envelope but don't look for that to happen to much longer. I just wanted to give you a heads up!

Bluft,
it's no different that what clothes are allowed in, what you can do in visiting, who you talk to .... all depends on who is working that day ... as frustrating as it is for us, imagine the co's and the inmates the rules change DAILY !!!!!:angry:

I sent 5 books of 2 cent stamps. Maybe thats why they did a special package. I have always used the USPS website to send everything and never had any trouble.

MCI Unblock= 1-888-415-0377......:)

I am expecting a call from Kris is this something I should do now?

Kitten,
No not really BUT once you reach about $100.00 they will block your calls, MCI is doing something new like a prepay thing with calls from prisons now :angry:
have you been receiving calls from the prisons already without problems?

Zunigan

yes it is why they did a special package because of the amount you sent. Remember though when they go to only 1 special package per quarter that would be his 'special' one ... so far I haven't heard when that is taking effect but as soon as I do I'll post it. Remember you can send in 1 book of 20 in every envelope you send him also

Lest we not get too tunnel visioned, it's good to also keep an eye on other things going on around the system.
As an example, there was another riot at San Quentin this morning in the RC (Reception Center) for Gen Pop. About 100 inmates were involved, Blacks vs. Latinos. No staff injured, 27 inmates were injured with 6 of them having "stab" or "puncture" wounds. Strange how the "Q" riots in RC can make the news so easily, yet, at Avenal, something jumps almost daily and you "never" hear about it in the news.
Speaking of more news, if you go to: www.news10.net you can see Sen. Romero giving the business to CDCR officials for their lack of compliance in getting the system rehabbed. This is now the time where the COs (read that CCPOA) are actually supporting Sen. Romero and her mission. It's one of the very few times you'll ever see that happen. Going with the lesser of 2 evils at the time it best suits them because staff has less respect for CDCR Admin than they have for Sen. Romero....at least today. Change is hard, and, in this system, it won't happen overnight, or in just 1 year. So, it appears to me, staff wants somebody new in charge, so they can disrespect them and resist the changes. Go figure....Anyhow, just my 1.5 cents worth....:)

Actually, I have never gotten as call from the prisons. So I am not sure how it will work until he calls. He has been in RC since he was sentenced 8 mos. So I will have to wait and see. Thanks for everything.

Jas
Kitten,
No not really BUT once you reach about $100.00 they will block your calls, MCI is doing something new like a prepay thing with calls from prisons now :angry:
have you been receiving calls from the prisons already without problems?

Zunigan

yes it is why they did a special package because of the amount you sent. Remember though when they go to only 1 special package per quarter that would be his 'special' one ... so far I haven't heard when that is taking effect but as soon as I do I'll post it. Remember you can send in 1 book of 20 in every envelope you send him also

Your more than welcome, if you need help anytime just pm me or email me not a problem :) trust me we were all new to this at one point in time. ;)

My husband called this morning and said yard 3..his building at least...330 was on lockdown...something about some scissors came up missing...not sure how long it will last...for all I know, it is over with by now but just to let everyone know, that is the latest....he was able to call at that time but they hadn't started the search yet...so not sure if it will affect calls going out during the search for the scissors or what....

Does anyone have info on Yard 4? I was hoping I would have gotten a call from my boyfriend by now. I have gotten letters everyday since he got there just no calls yet.

Jas

Have you called that MCI # to find out if you have a block on your phone. I know nothing about yard 4...you can also call 800-374-8474 for lockdown info to see the status on things.
Hope you get your call SOON!!!

k, i will call MCI right now. Well, lockdown first. thanks so much for everything :)

OMG, I am so glad I called apparently Gym 430 has visiting on SUN ONLY!!!! I was so heading up on saturday. I am listening to it right now.

Paul was on yard 4 and we had been getting our phone calls ok, although weekend before last the phs were shut off for the weekend because the recording disks were full and could not be changed till the following Monday. He said it happens about every 3 weeks.


Does anyone have info on Yard 4? I was hoping I would have gotten a call from my boyfriend by now. I have gotten letters everyday since he got there just no calls yet.

Jas

Paul was on yard 4 and we had been getting our phone calls ok, although weekend before last the phs were shut off for the weekend because the recording disks were full and could not be changed till the following Monday. He said it happens about every 3 weeks.


Do you know anything about visiting on sunday ONLY for 430 gym?

i talk to my husbad yesturday like around 8:30 and he didn't say anything about that they were on lockdown

They are alternating the visiting for 4 yard right now due to it being 1/2 SNY and 1/2 GP so that is why only one day is visiting ...

Thanks so much. I was so looking forward to saturday.

hello everyone,
now that the chat room is back up & running we should attempt to set up an Avenal time to meet. Of course i know that some of us cant / wont do it everyday but meeting up whenever could & would be good. I know i miss chating...how about it? let's say check in anytime from 6:30pm - 7:30pm pst, that way our eastcoast friends can make it in before it gets too late back there...Let's try it....

hello everyone,
now that the chat room is back up & running we should attempt to set up an Avenal time to meet. Of course i know that some of us cant / wont do it everyday but meeting up whenever could & would be good. I know i miss chating...how about it? let's say check in anytime from 6:30pm - 7:30pm pst, that way our eastcoast friends can make it in before it gets too late back there...Let's try it....

Sounds like a plan to me. I have girl scouts until 6, so 6:30 sounds good.

QUESTION: Has anyone gotten a call from yard 4? I am still waiting for Kris to call. And for some reason he is not getting my mail. But I hvae got about 10 letters since he got there a week and a half ago....weird!

Yeah, I don't get off work until 6:30pm and don't get home until 7:30pm, but, I'll try.

okay ladies & gentlemen, that didnt work so good. thought it would be a good idea for those of us who have loved ones Avenal to hook up & talk...i guess we need a better / later time how about 7:30pm?
Anyway I went up & visted this past weekend and i must say I enjoyed spending the weekend there & seeing my-troy for both days. The machines stayed pretty full and all & all it was good, the only sad thing was I say this couple really angry at each other & the wife just got up said I'm leaving, kiss the kids for the last time I'm out of here & the inmate left standing there begging for her not to go...very said.
I look around to see if I could reconize anyone from there sign-on names but to no avail :)

I saw the channel 46 5:00pm news last night about the cat infestation at Avenal, and how the prison was sighted $$$$. Did anyone see the 11:00 news. They were going to mention what OSHA found out inside. just curious.

I didn't see the news but Avenal has always had the cats, that is why they don't have the mice running around from the feces and feed from the chickens there at the farm.

They did come and remove about 10 of them last year but I'm sure there are more that have been dropped off since then, many people drop them off there I've seen this myself, on a friday evening before :blah: Idiots can't take responsibility to have their animals spayed or neutered and then drop the kittens off for them to take care of themselves.

There are several feeding stations around the prison for the cats and food is placed there for them. Last I heard there were only about 30 cats for the whole prison and a million and one chickens (joking on how many chickens) But just wait until Summer time then you have a ZILLION and one flies and THAT IS NO JOKE!!!! The flies are suicidal also and will dive bomb you as well. Visiting rooms are full of them as are the restrooms.

WOW, unbelievable...I guess every situation has a silver lining...then a dive bomb!

oh just great...flies? Millions? Everywhere? All i need to hear...man this just gets worse & worse...
Jas...did you go last weekend? I was looking for you but didnt reconize anyone.
Hope you have fun this weekend (Steve'sgirl)
Happy Valentines Day People!!!

Nahhh, I didn't go :( This weekend will be more convenient for me. Since I can ONLY visit on Sundays, I am going to stay over on Saturday so I can get there early like 7:30 on Sunday to get a number.

Does anyone know if you have to stay in there after you get your number or can you just come back before 10?

I called today and they told me that I couldn't make an appointment because they are not finished with yard 4 yet. So I have to come in as a walk in until then. I confirmed for the 100th time whether I will be able to get contact and she said es, for the 199th time....LOL, you all know how it is, we HAVE TO BE SURE! LOL

Sharon...since we both have cellphones we can keep in contact that way. Are you going up this weekend?

Jas

Kitten
I would suggest being back at the prison by 9:30am incase they start calling the numbers sooner. Depending if the "A" team is working on Sunday or not...
PM me and let me know where your staying at ... would be nice to meet you as well :)

Sharon thanks, I'm sure we will have a blast :D I'm not joking about the flies at all either sorry

Yes, the flies are a bummer, but, one can't help but wonder if the disease one can get from cat feces doesn't play a part in the staff and inmate's illnesses there, especially during the "windy" season.....As the dust flies, so does the disease. Crap. I can't remember what it's called....Hang on. I'll call the un-girlfriend. She will know. Toxoplasmosis. That's it!

Seems everyone is going up this weekend, just found out Bernie is too, I hope everyone has a nice time, I unfortunately cant make it up this weekend but i do hope that everyone enjoys the time with their loved one...

when i was in nursing school toxoplasmosis only effected pregernt woman or maybe i was studing the wrong subject

You're right bernadette. It is only a danger to pregnant women. Can be deadly to the fetus. From what I know, it's not airborn but contracted through direct contact. So who handles kitty poop without gloves and/or washing their hands???

Flies do carry lots of ugly little microbes. EEEEWW!

Any suggestions on hotels. Or is there somewhere that most of us stay?

I stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Kettleman City...there is a Best Western right across the street too!

Toxoplasmosis is a common disease found in birds and mammals across North America. The infection is caused by a parasite called toxoplasma gondi and affects 10 to 20 out of every 100 people in North America by the time they are adults.
What are the symptoms?


Fever
Sore throat
Sore muscles and tiredness
Swollen glands in the neck, armpits or groin
In some cases the infection can also cause temporary blurred vision or loss of vision
Most people who are infected do not show any signs of the disease.
Persons who are pregnant or are experiencing a suppressed immune system due to AIDS, cancer or following organ transplants are at higher risk for illness. How is it spread?

All animals and birds can be infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite. The parasite enters the muscles of a bird or animal when it eats raw meat or drinks the milk of another animal that is infected. Cats can also spread the parasite in their feces. Therefore humans can also become infected with toxoplasmosis when changing a cat litter box or working in an area contaminated with cat feces.
Common ways for people to become infected with toxoplasmosis include:

eating raw or undercooked meats;
drinking unpasteurized milk;
cleaning cat litter boxes;
working in gardens or playing in sandboxes that contain cat feces. This would mean kids playing with dirt where cats have used the area as a litter box (usually unknown at the time). Maybe even inmates coming in contact with dirt that is contaminated, maybe even transferred by flies?

I stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Kettleman City...there is a Best Western right across the street too!


How much was the Super 8? I checked the Best Western and it was 79.00, Also does anyone out there know if either of these have internet connection. I plan on working when I get there on Saturday. :angry:

I think I paid a little less than $60 at the Super 8

oh cool, do you usually book it online or just wait til you get there?

Here's where you can find what the "Administration" had to say about the cats....
http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0214prison-cats-CR.html#

I usually stay at the Best Western in Coalinga, just off the freeway, and, about 6 different fast food places and one sit down restaurant, plus gas stations. Easy freeway off and on. I think it's about $60 also.

That is so unfortunate about the cat problems. We will probably see alot better health among inmates once the cat problem is taken care of. Sad that is has come to this.

...and to Kitten, I think Best Western is the only of those 2 in Kettleman City that has any online hookups....and yes, both have websites....www.super8.com and www.bestwestern.com....

I have just got to say you all are the greatest and I really appreciate everything...I just had to say that. I don't know how I would get through this without you ladies (gentlemen) here.

Having said that, I am coming from San Diego, so I was thinking that Kettlemen would be on the way.

Thanks so much, I am sooooo nervous. I am glad I am coming up on Saturday Evening. If anyone would like to get together for coffee or tea let me know.

Jas

Wow nanoguy............I feel like a dope. I accepted the info I was given while pregnant as "complete". Guess I'd better learn how to use search on this computer. :-) Thanks

I have just got to say you all are the greatest and I really appreciate everything...I just had to say that. I don't know how I would get through this without you ladies (gentlemen) here.

Having said that, I am coming from San Diego, so I was thinking that Kettlemen would be on the way.

Thanks so much, I am sooooo nervous. I am glad I am coming up on Saturday Evening. If anyone would like to get together for coffee or tea let me know.

Jas

No problem! I have only been up to visit once and I was so nervous too....it isn't as bad as you are anticipating. Ya, Kettleman City is on the way...I came from So Cal too....it is right off the highway and so easy to find....

Have an Awesome weekend!!!!

No problem Copperhead....:)........Maybe now, they might quit calling ALL their cases "Valley Fever" and be able to distinguish between the two, since symptoms appear to be similiar. Hope everyone enjoys their visits and yes, there is a possibility that I will show up there Sunday for a "late" visit. I may end up going to Corcoran first, we'll see.
Best of luck to all......:)

nanooooooooooooooooooo....good to see you. How have I missed your posts? Thought you disappeared. Love the info you post....You are so indebth with your knowledge!! California is lucky to have you there. But....When you move back to Idaho.....we will have coffee. LOL

Patti

Your so right he is a blessing to this site! To you Mr. Nano and all the others thanks for the info on the cat issue, didnt realize these precious little critters, could harm anyone. Everyone enjoy your visit this weekend, be careful driving and will see on Sunday!

Awwww...Shucks........(blush).......Hi Patti...:).......Thank you all for the kind words but, I am not alone. Steve's Girl is a wealth of knowledge as well, and, howza bout that Crstnamre gal too. What we have here, is a group of people willing to communicate what they know or, what they can find out, and work together in a team style approach. Bluft not to be left out can get after things too. For the newer people that visit here, the idea is to learn, retain, and benefit from what we know because, (the Good Lord willing) we won't all be here for "Life", and pass it on.
We are here to support one another and, the benefit of our knowledge (hopefully) helps people deal with the "system" better to make their loved one's stay at Hotel AvenHell a bit less stressful. The guys learn "stuff" on the inside, we learn on the outside and, between the two, we can make progress. The idea is to not let what we have learned, get lost over time.
Yes, FreeStaff and COs read what we post here however, nothing that we write here is "Top Secret"(that's what PM is for....:)..). They too recognize the "system" and how it works from their perspective and have certain limitations to what they can do to try to make the system better. It's kind of like "Us" vs. "Them", yet, FreeStaff and COs haven't figured out yet that they are also part of "Us" as are we, the family members outside. My motto remains,"The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number." There are things that we as the "public" can advocate for the staff that will be beneficial to staff, they just need to let us know how we can best help to get "Them" (Admin and higher) to see the light. In the meantime, we press on in hopes of being able to better the conditions under which our loved ones have to serve their time for making less than intelligent choices.
Sorry, I know y'all probably didn't tune in for a Saturday afternoon lecture. I'll just shut up now and go back into my cave and wait for the day when the ACLU decides to finally sponsor a "California State Prisoner's Union"..............Well, maybe I won't wait THAT long.........:) Thank you all for listening.

Well, it's Sunday and other family drama has kept me from going to visit this weekend, so, I hope all that DID get to visit had a great time....And no, I don't know what the excitement was on 4 Yard yesterday.....

i've been reading this for a few hours now and i think it's so awesome!! i don't get phone calls from my friend 'cause we don't really have money so we write to each other. However, he tells me something happend but he's not sure exactly so i worry. Now I know I have all of you to help me and hopefully i can help all of you in some way.

Welcome lsevent. We are here to help each other whenever we can so, feel free to jump in....:)

hi everyone... well my sons dad was just x-fered to Avenal 4 yard about 2 weeks ago. I went up for my first visit (without our son wink wink LOL) last Sat and it is REALLY different from Corcoran. I cant stress how much we both hated that place. The were very nice at Avenal SP which seemed so odd. I called and made my appt for 2 weeks (4th & 5th) and the girl on the phone was very helpful. I cant believe we still have 4 years and 4 months to go.
We if any of you visit 4 yard i sure would like to meet up to match the name with a face. lol
Any feed back or tips would sure be helpful.....
Thanks

Welcome Gigi...My Kris is on yard 4 so I am sure we will make contact. This past weekend was my first time going up. We went from Recepriion 8 mos to here so we don't have much to compare it to. HOWEVER, when I think about it, comparing it to reception...this is disneyland. My next visit will be in Mar PM me and we can exchange numbers and chit chat more

Talk soon, Jasmine

Hi Gigi.....Was he on 3 Yard at Corcoran?......When you visited at Corcoran, did you have to wait off grounds early in the morning and line up until 8am, when they would let you on the grounds? I always go to visit after 12 noon and the visiting center is pretty much deserted (at Corcoran).

Question?? When you leave prison what happenes to your personal items. Like cd players, clothes etc. And what about the money you have in your account? Do they give it to you or do they have to send everything home??

They get their money back when they leave, and they get to take all personal items.....but they can give their personal stuff to someone that might have alot more time left.

you can also start sending stuff home in advance, but my friend that as paroled from there actually brought all his belongings with him. Alone with the gate money as well.

With the grooming standards non existent anymore, many of the guys are growing long sideburns, goatees', beards and so forth!!!

IF their Prison ID card picture DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THEM NOW they will NOT be allowed to come down for visiting PERIOD!!!

They will need to get new prison ID's at the cost of $17.00 each to the inmates.

I don't want anyone to go visit and not have one because the picture doesn't look like him now with a goatee, beard or whatever other thing they can grow lol....

Thanks, he did not even know what they do. I told him tonight. He said he will just give his things to someone when he leaves. There are lots of inmates he has made friends with that have no one--everyone back in their country and who ever is here has just given up on them. So sad, I told him that was a great idea.!!!!

How do they start sending their stuff home??? I was thinking of sending an already paid priority mail envelope...are they allowed and is that the only way for them to send stuff home now???

The flat rate priority envelopes can be sent in with the stamps on them already yes, but as for boxes no, those can't be. They can use boxes that stuff was sent into them like quarterly packages and turn them inside out and then tape and pack, they will then need to have the money on their books to cover the expense of shipping them home. Steve has sent many things here to me in the past boxes and boxes of books I had sent to him throughout the time. Ask him to have some of his friends save their boxes to load stuff up, I would also advise him to have it ready to be shipped the same day and addressed so the co's don't have a cow when they see it boxed up.

Nanoguy, yeah I would get there at around 7ish in the morning and have to stand outside for what seemed like forever and then hope that out visit wouldn’t get terminated early due to capacity. LOL What yard is your loved one on now?
Oh and also thanks Steves Girl for the heads up on the facial hair. I will let him know later today when he calls. But I must admit I love when he has a goatee!!! LOL

Gigi,
Your more than welcome and he can let it grow just he will have to put in for a new prison ID with a new picture at $17.00 a whack out of his personal money.
I would hate for anyone to lose a visit because of this and it has already happened the past couple of weeks, loved ones sit in there waiting and waiting and they don't show up then they find out :( how heartbreaking it is from what I have seen and hear.

Hey Gigi.....3 Yards all the way around.....Avenal....Corcoran.......And to think, 3 is my lucky number. Sheesh!..........:)

Hey Nanoguy and TerriB,
TerriB….am I trippin or did you change your name? lol did I respond before with the wrong name? If I did I am so sorry and how embarrassing!

At Avenal he is on 4 year but he is making his way to 3 year very soon. (wink wink)
He has a really good friend on 3 yard but he put in his request for 2 trades so we are hoping that those will come up quickly.
I talked to him last night and told him about the goatee thing and then he reminded me that is in picture he has a goatee.... oops I forgot. lol
So three is your lucky number huh? Ours is 23... Good thing they don’t have a yard 23. Sorry I was just being silly. Anyways, I will be heading up next Sat and Sun to visit. I surprised him with the Sunday appt. Gotta keep that man on his toes. j/k
Later Gaters,
Gigi

Hi Gigi,
Hey there no worries, I did change my name ;) but it's all good .... trust me ;) ;)

Howdy,
I have been a member a long time but haven't participated much, my brother is at avenal, sure learned a lot just today, he has a parole hearing in 4 months but I don't see how I can help him as I am in tx. seems like a lot of changes are happening.
One question I have is how do you find out what yard they are on? does the address say that?

Txtowerman,
Hi and welcome to PTO Avenal section, in his letters you should see something like his name and CDC #
then like 310-2-48U (example) that would tell you he is on yard 3 dorm 310 level 2 and his bunk is number 48 Upper... or if it has a L it's lower bunk and if he has a 1 in it then he is on the first floor.
About his parole hearing the last I heard they are running about 3-6 months behind on getting the guys to them, sorry to be bearer of bad news but I do think they are still at least 3 months behind.
There are a lot of changes happening at Avenal. Can you tell me how long he has been there?...if longer than 9 months I would say he isn't on 3 or 4 yard which is now SNY (Special Needs Yard) .... any other questions feel free to ask anytime.
Terri

After having visited Avenal this weekend, I would tend to lean more towards an 8,000 inmate population than 7,000. 3 Yard got 30 more guys Friday, 4 Yard another 40 on Thursday. (3 Yard population is now 1,389 and 4 Yard is not far behind).That doesn't even count the GP inmates that keep arriving. Triple bunking the whole prison. Ad-Seg is FULL. No matter what CDCR's "published" figures tell you, Avenal is "de facto" the NUMBER 1 most overcrowded prison in these United States today.
Where are they coming from/going to you ask? (cuz I know you're wondering). Well, 2 Yard is next to be flipped to SNY. 1 Yard is also planned, however, they have to deal with the PIA and that could take a bit more time. 5 Yard will be for medical chronos and 6 Yard is the last thought sometime waaayyyyy later.
It's been "musical prisoners" since the L.A.County riots. Parole violators and prisoners headed for "state" with less than 1 year to serve have been shipped out to Lancaster...Some guys with only 2 weeks to go.....While at Lancaster, they are figuring out who will get additional charges for assault,battery,whatever and who will then get additional time for their part in any riots,etc. This of course has created a "domino" effect, so, Lancaster has shipped off other inmates to SVSP (mostly), Corcoran, and PVSP. So far, a bunch of inmates from SVSP have been shipped to Avenal and probably more will come. There you have it....And, although there are 12 billets (slots) for doctors to work at Avenal, until Friday, they only had 3 doctors that worked there. On Friday, one quit. So now, there are 2 doctors to cover about 8,000 inmates. Whatcha gonna do?......Best to all........:)
P.S....I'll also post this in the NOTHING NEW at AVENAL thread.

I forgot to post that after visiting I read a notice on the window that says they are NOW ALLOWING things from Amazon.com back inside the prison. So I wanted you all to know also. I apologize for the delay in posting it for all of you that buy things for your family, friends and loved ones there.

This overcrowding issue is crazy. Can't they ship them elsewhere in California? Are all the prisons this overcrowed. And why can't they get doctors???? There are a lot of sick inmates and no one to see them. It took 1 1/2 months for my husband just to be seen again for an x-ray- and when he asked them about the MRI they were suppose to do, they wanted to know why he needed it. When he told them, they got real upset and wanted to know why he had not told them before. He did, when he first got there, I sent all the requested medical records, and now they want them again. This is nuts!!!!Who do we e mail now about this, its been so long I forgot.

Awwww,crap. I had typed up a big long response for you, then, the server was busy and it didn't post. O.K....I'll try again.
Let's see, the overcrowding is typical. What is NOT typical is the sudden influx of inmates from L.A.County, about 400+ last week alone. When you add them to the usual 400 per week and only release, like 83 inmates, there is a sudden push, and, it's a domino effect.
It may be time for an "early release" program but there must be conditions that are verifiable which would include, but not be limited to: (a) Only Level I or Level II inmates, (b) classified as A-1-A (c) 1 year or less left to serve, (d) released only upon verification that they will be enrolled in a re-hab/therapy program for the next year, as well as meeting their conditions of parole. It would appear that the "R" in CDCR will have to be paid for by the inmates and the public, which is a better way to do it than is currently happening. Kind of a "pay to stay out" of prison program and get rehab while you're at it.
As for the doctors, if you don't pay, they won't play. Why would a doctor want to work for $100,000 per year when in private practice they could easily make $160-$200,000 per year, nevermind that malpractice insurance eats up most all of what they make with hefty premiums. That's why doctor's like HMOs. There is a malpractice sharing pool which costs them less and they keep more income.
So, in answer to your question of who do we contact now....
Write it all out as thoroughly as possible and fax it to:

US DOJ
Special Litigation Section
Fax: 1-202-514-0212

Then, write to:

Hon. Judge Thelton E. Henderson
United States District Court
450 Golden Gate Ave.
San Francisco, California 94102

phone: 1-415-522-3630

Perhaps if you call, you can get the Judge's fax number and get it to him before 10am Monday (2/27) morning when he is due to hear the case of the American Physicians & Dentists vs. California Department of Corrections.

Then of course, you can call the prison to talk to the Mediacal Liasion. 1-559-386-0587 extension 6042
You'll probably get her voicemail, so, then call the warden's office and explain the situation to the secretary who may put you through on an internal phone line to the Med. Liasion.

Hope this helps, and, if I have to type it again, I'm gonna be, uhmmmm, upset....:)

Just wait 'til I become Dictator for a Day. I'll get this whole Department headed in the correct direction....Heck, I'd even re-open Alcatraz!!

Thanks for the information. I have another dumb question. My husband has asked more than once for the hippa form. Now they told him for me to get it send it to him(3) and have him sign them and return one to me, one to his medical file and keep one. Does this make sense?? Don't they have their own form?? And will they really accept a form I get and send in?? I am also having to get all the medical records for the last 6 years, when he went to the doctor and they found out? I think we told them the first time he transfered to Avenal, about his brain tumor. Now I have to do it all over, cause now they say he needs the MRI he was suppose to have 7 months ago. I hate this place and there dumb doctors, or what ever they are. Thanks

Write it up and send it to the JUDGE. His Special Master needs to know.
As for the HIPPA form, I'm sure they have a CDC form for it, I;m just not sure where to find it. Like visiting forms, I'm sure he should be able to request them and send them to you, then again, this is Avenal.....

All medical forms are in the the infirmary (cough cough they are suppose to be let's just say that)
About the other forms, he can find them in the law library and sometimes the regular library has them as well, ask him to ask the lead clerk there on his yard at the library for them, but if you do get them then you can send them in, he will get all the forms you send in, as far as medical reports I would call and ask where to fax a copy of those to, instead of sending in originals if you have access to a fax machine. I wished I could remember exactly who gets all legal forms via fax, sorry I can't I'll try to find that information I have somewhere in this house in the many many boxes of things I have from that place.

Thanks, I can get a form at the hospital where I work, I just thought that Avenal had a form they wanted us to use--guess not!

sometimes I think they don't know which form they are really talking about LOL ...ok I'll behave now and not say another bad thing about the place.:eek: (THIS TIME AROUNDha ha)

sometimes I think they don't know which form they are really talking about LOL ...ok I'll behave now and not say another bad thing about the place.:eek: (THIS TIME AROUNDha ha)

LOL, you are toooooo funny TerriB :)

Jas

Well folks another bus arrived today not sure how many on it but my source tells me they were expecting 2 more of them today also, I'll try to find out more information and pass it along to you.

Just be forewarned that the mail will probably slow down again and the visiting phone line to be super busy in the next few weeks again.

Are these bus loads going to yard 4 or?

They need more inmates at Avenal like they need more cats!

okay Terri, thanks for the heads up, so far I havent really had any major / bad changes on Troy's behalf... (praise GOD!!) Hopefully things will get better down the road for us all. If everyone just keeps on keeping on & being strong for our loved ones & our selves and fight some of the fights things will get better. How can they not. By the way did you all see or hear about the petition going on regarding fighting for family visits to be returned?

Mail seems to already be slow, my husband got 13 letters in one day, I date them on the back and he said they were from Feb.11-to Feb 23.!!! And he got them on March 1. Is that slow or what. And he still has the ones I sent starting on the 24 till today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They should use the pony express they would get there faster--maybe!!!

i called the mail room yesterday requarding the mail because my husband hasnt recieve his mail in a month oh i am sorry he got a letter i wrote on our last visit at Donavan and something eles i sent and i write everyday so who know, i get his mail fast, he has not had his personal property given to him yet so things are going real slow there at avenal but all the mail room and the sarg. says they are only 1 week behind in sorting the mail

Another couple of examples of how slow the mail is going.

On December 14th, 2005 someone sent Steve a christmas card, he recieved it on January 27th, 2006.
Most recently a birthday was sent to him by one of my friends, it was mailed on Febuary 4th, 2006 he received it this past Monday the 27th of Febuary. to me that is 3 weeks behind.
Now maybe my math skills aren't the best but do you guys come up with the same answers?

If anybody is interested, MSNBC is running Lockup: Return to Corcoran this weekend. They are also doing Anamosa. Starts at 10pm or 11pm PST I believe.

Well folks it happened again, I was told today by a source that there were 3 more FULL busloads that came into Avenal yesterday 3-3-06.:mad:

with all the talk about more yards changing I guess my Babe will be going somewhere soon. I pray it wont be any further away, that it will give him some good programs, and it wont be any worse than Avenal (if there is a such thing). He is on yard 2 so I'll keep you posted if I hear anything...

There sure are alot of bus loads going in to Avenal...are there any bus loads going out of Avenal?

No. not yet they are suppose to ask for volunteers to another facility this week on selected yards. There are two facilities they are asking for which I'm not 100% sure of the second so I won't mention either until I know for sure. I'll keep you posted. Also some the SNY guys are suppose to be transferred to another facility coming up soon also. (That is the new rumor of the day, I'll try to confirm this week)

How do they decide who leaves the sny yards???? Are they asking for inmates who want to move???

I was wondering why I hadnt heard from Kris. This would explain it! There has got to be a lot of action around there. So I will be patient!

None of the new arrivees from Friday landed on 3 Yard, which currently has 1389 inmates, so, 4 Yard (which is also triple bunked) is getting a majority of them, and, since 2 Yard is next to get flipped, it may be starting now.

On the guys that are on other yards yes they are asking for volunteers, about the SNY guys, well I am still waiting to verify how they are going to do that if they are asking them or doing it on their own. OR if the 'rumor' is even true, but I can't find out until starting tomorrow sorry.

Terri---
Could ya fix yer tagline so it's not 600 lines long?
Thanks.

On the guys that are on other yards yes they are asking for volunteers, about the SNY guys, well I am still waiting to verify how they are going to do that if they are asking them or doing it on their own. OR if the 'rumor' is even true, but I can't find out until starting tomorrow sorry.

My Kris just called and he said it has been crazy around there. The phone have been off on 4 yard. So he just got to slip in a call. But he had to end it halfway through!!! :angry: Well, that happens sometimes, at least I know he is ok!!! I can't wait to find out if they are going to be switching out SOME of the SNY guys...well. ONLY if it is closer. Now that would be a blessing!

FYI-CO beat up on yard 3 last night....they are NOT on lock down...

OMG...is the CO ok? Have you heard anything else?

this is horrible to say but I do hope it was on of the jerks that work on that yard and not the good guys.
I hope he is ok though.
I bet before the week is out though they will be on modified or lockdown ...

What the heck!!! Have they not figured this out yet!!!! Waiting on a call from my husband and he is on yard 3. Darn it they better not be on lockdown!!! Are they ever going to learn how to act?

CO is ok. He had a bloody mouth and some other things but the inmate got his by all the CO's afterwards too. And it was one of the not so nice CO's!!!

And no, they will never learn. My husband has been dealing with a cellie that likes to cause fights with other people or spread rumors about someone to start fights.....so no, some of them will never learn.
The prison system needs to change their Level system to IQ levels!

One more thing, read where the co's post, can any one tell me what EOP means? Thye said the guy who punched the co was EOP and wondered how he ended up on the sny yard!

One more thing, read where the co's post, can any one tell me what EOP means? They said the guy who punched the co was EOP and wondered how he ended up on the sny yard!

EOP = Enhanced Outpatient Program for those with mental illness, how he ended up on a SNY yard I haven't a clue.

Thanks for the response, My access is spotty so i just got on since posting, my brother is on yard 5, I ordered a quarterly pkg for him and it shipped on jan 23, but no word from him since december, hope he's ok. it's really hard for him since they closed the hobby shop, now if it opens he will have to start allover for the 4th time. I think that is so wrong. Sid

txtowerman,
I agree it is wrong, but I can almost tell you 100% it won't re-open for a long long time if ever to be quite honest, they are so overcrowded and short staffed they are lucky to have 2 co's on each yard anymore. Which to me is not only dangerous for the co's but for our friends,family & loved ones.

Yes. Unfortunate but true. One of the things my son will NOT miss when he leaves 3 Yard, is all the weirdos. He says they have 'em all, and, some of them should probably be up the road at the new hospital in Coalinga, certainly not on a yard, in a "dorm" setting. Just another one we can chalk up to "Admin" doing their job, or not. And, my Corcoran friends do not want to have "anything" to do with Avenal. Even at the risk of getting their "level" bumped up (so they can't go to Avenal), they DO NOT want to go there.
So, with the OIG there today and tomorrow, will they be responding to the complaints that have been sent in, or, are they there to do the bidding of J. Woodford to confirm and put in place the "permanent" label for Ms. Mendoza-Powers as warden. If that is the case, they could put all the blind inmates at Avenal because nobody ever sees the warden (Acting Warden) anyway. Like a judge issuing a ruling from the bench, the "memos" are like a lightning bolt that just shows up and staff is expected to comply. Heck, I could do the same thing from my home computer and I would do it for half of what she is getting paid. But, you know how the "buddy" system works.....:(
Last, thanks Terri for shortening up that tagline........:)
Out

The OIG is/was there? This is good news, right?!? Or, I should say, it could be good news. All our complaints might be getting dealt with. At least this is what I am hoping!

Well it's suppose to be good news but let's wait and see how much is actually addressed and taken care of.
About the warden situation, from what I have heard as a 'rumor' if she gets it permanently then there will many of the staff to take early retirement, transfer or plain out and quit!!! Personally I would hate to have that happen, with all the problems within the walls between inmates and races and so forth, now add more of a shortage of staff and that spells HUGE danger for anyone at Avenal, well in my opinion that is.

Just for fun, Monday, a busload of I/Ms from Mule Creek landed on 3 Yard.

:eek: I swear the CDC makes no sense whatsoever, some of the SNY's are to be transferred OUT of Avenal today to Mule Creek ... :confused:

What are I/M's?

Inmates

Anyword on the outcome of the OIG visit?

I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm waiting on the call :)

conference call just completed.

Many of the guards HAVE put in for transfers even a bunch that were just put there (they won't get it yet) but many that transferred in from other prison also have asked for transfers, elder CO's are putting in for retirement as well.

Yard 2 IS definately going to SNY to be done by end of May hopefully if not by June 1st, 2006. Look for more transfers out of ASP to where I haven't a clue.

Asked for volunteers again to Chuckawhala not many took this. Asking for some more to Mule Creek and Folsom as well, not sure how many accepted this.

Hobby shop will not be re-opening until all transfers are complete (don't ask me why I haven't a clue since it hasn't affected 1 yard yet)

Water is being shut off for the prison today 3/14/06 due to them repairing the 'tank' it is to occur prior to 2pm and back on tonight.

Most of the yards do NOT have the heat on due to problems with the steam system. Its very cold inside those walls right now (Suppose to be working on the heating system, yeah right have been since October of last year still no heat:angry: )

Well that's about all I can think of but when I think of more I'll let you know.

Oh nothing on what the OIG did from this conversations with people that 'should' know what is going on lol ... anyways Mendoza-Powers is NOT permanent YET! Let's hope she never is in my opinion.

As far as the OIG is concerned, the only work an inmate can do in the mail room, is janitorial in nature. No word on the report yet, other than the report released today regarding investigation of Reception Centers placing violent parole violators into Gen. Pop. when they should have actually gone to Ad Seg.

OH dang I forgot they hired some NEW DOCTORS. total of 3 so far and more to come.

Thank you both for the updates and info. Good news about the doctors.

Your more than welcome wished we had more good news to share more often. Maybe one day!

Thanks Terri. At least we know what the guys are going through and can be a little empathetic.

Uh...yeah. They HAD to hire 3 more doctors since another one quit and they are down to 1 doctor for the entire prison. they have slots for 12 doctors, so, we'll see how many more they hire. And hey! Howza bout some nurses too?........:)

...they are suppose to start installing the small lockers as of today on yard 3. This sucks...personal items and packages don't all fit.

Ok folks this is what I know is going on.

Sacramento was down yesterday and doing a MAJOR inventory of things there.

Several things are missing and the searches are on going.

They are on Modified program / similiar to lockdown it probably will turn into LOCKDOWN completely before the week comes to a close.

I was told to expect this until Mid next week at the earliest to be let off of this!!!!

Sacramento will be there today and next week again as well from my sources.

I believe it is about to get really ugly, ALL transfers, moves are on HOLD until next weeks meetings.

I will continue to keep you informed on what is going on!!!!:thumbsup:

That would explain the "suits" mentioned to me in a recent call....:)

What kinds of things are missing? I was hoping you were gonna say the small lockers are going to Sacramento and everyone can go home. :) I can dream, can't I?

I'm sorry Bluft, I won't disclose some things, just not right to as it could lead to finger pointing and many problems. I will say that they aren't little things. I'm sorry, I hope you understand.

Attagirl Bluft.....Perchance to dream........:) And don't worry, they're just lookin' fer stuff that ISN'T where it's supposed to be. Just wait until they find the stuff in places where it's NOT SUPPOSED to be......:)
Oh well, at least at the "Q" the booted the warden and CDW THEN brought in the Audit team. Who knows which way is best? Time will tell.

Well, the new "small" lockers have been installed on 310. Next week, it's 330's turn.

Well, same stuff, different day. Phones are on, then they're off. Phones are off, then they're on. 350 yard, tier 1 is beginning the installation of the "small" lockers today. This will effectively give the guys more "living" space....chuckle
And, it would appear there are some suit type people back for another visit.
Nobody's talking, kind of like the "Q" with their temporary new warden, "everybody" is walking on egg shells, waiting for one shoe or another to drop due to their investigations, and, we haven't heard any more from CSP-Sac or Folsom yet either.

Well I got calls today from 2 of my sources, seems a lot of new memo's went up this week and I'm in the process of verifying everything prior to posting the details.

I can tell you it involves clothing, fans, tv's, radios and so forth but I want to get things verified ... more and more changes coming stay tuned.

Thanks, Terri.......
Standing by waiting for the next update!! :D


Well I got calls today from 2 of my sources, seems a lot of new memo's went up this week and I'm in the process of verifying everything prior to posting the details.

I can tell you it involves clothing, fans, tv's, radios and so forth but I want to get things verified ... more and more changes coming stay tuned.

Probably the same stuff I posted about, somewhere here, back in November/December. I think I mentioned it was all supposed to start in April....No more special pkgs.,(the weight for QPs will be increased and more items allowed) tv's will be allowed but have to be run on batteries. No new stingers, etc....I'll go back and see if I can track that stuff down and put it here.

i got a letter from my husband who informed me that any spical packages will have to be done by them with money on his books.
quarterly packages we can still send

Hmmm.......good to know.....my man was not aware of this because we talked about me sending him a Special Package with a Radio/CD player in it.......so keep us posted. I won't do this until I know for sure.....Thanks for the update, guys....:)



i got a letter from my husband who informed me that any spical packages will have to be done by them with money on his books.
quarterly packages we can still send

Hey do it NOW as quickly as possible this new rule hasn't gone into effect yet. ;) BUT we will keep you informed as well not sure it is going to go through either ;)

Ok - thanks - I will do it immediately. I don't need him to have a special package signed and approved on his end first, do I?? I can just order this online and get it sent, like I did for the Quarterly package??


Hey do it NOW as quickly as possible this new rule hasn't gone into effect yet. ;) BUT we will keep you informed as well not sure it is going to go through either ;)

I am pretty sure they are still making them get a special package slip signed. But tell him to do it right away ... otherwise just try it online and and see if it goes through

They need to have 2 signatures on the special purchase form...he sends it to you, completed and then you fax it to Access or whichever company he put on the form and then they call you the next day for you to pay for it.

Ok - thanks - I will do it immediately. I don't need him to have a special package signed and approved on his end first, do I?? I can just order this online and get it sent, like I did for the Quarterly package??

Ok, thanks you guys......I'll get him on it right away.......really appreciate the feedback!! :thumbsup:


They need to have 2 signatures on the special purchase form...he sends it to you, completed and then you fax it to Access or whichever company he put on the form and then they call you the next day for you to pay for it.

MY husband is in 320 he said they posted something about lockers and what you can have in them. also they are smaller and everything has to fit in that one small locker. Does anyone know how to go about sending books and things home that won't fit in the new lockers. He has to much.

They have to send it home and pay for it from the money on their books.

Does anyone know if mail is running and getting delivered on 3 yard, gonna try to get my man a letter out with pics of our son in it

Mail is always running....but it has been really good this week. My husband actually got my letter in @ 3 days!

Does anyone know if mail is running and getting delivered on 3 yard, gonna try to get my man a letter out with pics of our son in it

Fri (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=1)
May 5
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Sat (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=2)
May 6
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Sun (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=3)
May 7
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www.weather.com (http://www.weather.com)

Megan -
Thanks for the weather report.......it's nice to know, as we head into the weekend and our visiting...:D


Fri (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=1)
May 5
http://image.weather.com/web/common/wxicons/31/32.gifSunny 82°

Sat (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=2)
May 6
http://image.weather.com/web/common/wxicons/31/30.gifPartly Cloudy 83°

Sun (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=3)
May 7
http://image.weather.com/web/common/wxicons/31/34.gifMostly Sunny 86°


www.weather.com (http://www.weather.com)

So I was wondering about visiting the last weekend in May. Since Monday May 29th is a holiday (not 1 of the 5 though) are they going to give them a 3 day weekend to visit or no? I heard that maybe they would, but curious to know from anyone else? It would be nice, but I dont see that happening. I am debating going this weekend, but I am going the end of the month.

Well the union votes for the 5 major holidays that are extra for visiting and those for this year are

• New Year’s Day
• July 4 (Independence Day)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

I forget when I was told they vote again but I believe it is in the fall I'll try to find out exactly when.

As far as I know they have never allowed Memorial Day as an extra visit.

thanks terri. i guess it was more wishful thinking.

Wow!!! thanks for the weather report for Avenal, I was searching for that today to try an put my things together for the weekend. I just spoke w/ T 2 yard onmodified lockdown, for all you that pray, join me in praying that everyons visits will be a go this weekend. I know some are like me & only get to go 1 per mon & some once every few months. So I hope everything works out for the weekend & maybe I'll get to see and meet some of you there. My appt is at 8:45...anyone else going up this weekend?

i will be there this weekend sharon my appointment is for 8 am hope to met you

OMG, Sharon, include me in that prayer, I KNOW about the once a month visit!!!! I will be pray that you can visit. As well as ALL of us making it there safely. (as I do every weekend) Morgan are you going up? Or are you still deciding? Please be safe...

****HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN****

Jas

I am debating this weekend. I am not sure because today is my birthday and im going to dinner tonight and so if i go i gotta leave really early in the morning with my 4 1/2 month son and who knows how that will go. I really want to go. Yard 2 was on the lockdown for 21 days so i dont think they are having visits yet.

As of right now (5:40PM, Friday) the Visiting Line says that Housing unit #230 is still on medical isolation and will NOT be having any visiting this weekend - Saturday AND Sunday. All other yards are on REGULAR programming/visiting for the weekend.


I am debating this weekend. I am not sure because today is my birthday and im going to dinner tonight and so if i go i gotta leave really early in the morning with my 4 1/2 month son and who knows how that will go. I really want to go. Yard 2 was on the lockdown for 21 days so i dont think they are having visits yet.

My husband called on Thursday morning and he said that alot of the packages had ants in them and some were crushed do to so many maybe and them sitting on top of each other. what do they do with the crushed ones?? He said that someone there told him they would be sent back. will they sent new ones, guess not since it was not the package company problem. what can we do!!!!! if anything!

Whats up with ad-seg on the 1 yard?? Other than the same ol things are things running smooth?? Transfers out how backed up are they??

Fri (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=2)
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Sat (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=3)
May 13
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(http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/airquality/USCA0056?from=tenday_trigger)
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May 14
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I cant believe how hot it has gotten there. Thanks for the weather update. It makes it so we dont have to check it. One less thing to do before getting ready for the weekend.

Hey thanks, Megan......it really does help to know what to plan for.....I have heard that it gets REALLY HOT there in Avenal.....
:fb:
Fri (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=2)
May 12
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Its no problem! I talked to him last night and he said it is getting really hot, and he said this is only May, imagine during the Summer time.
Megan

During the summer months it's nothing for it to hit 105 or so there, they still only pass ice 2 times a day period. If they don't have fans it's almost unbearable to breathe there. PLUS the flies are coming back :( they are suicidial flies also, will dive bomb you and nasty in visiting ... be prepared!!! It's NASTY!!!!!

The bugs are nasty. The other day I was over in Hanford and when I got back to Santa Cruz I looked at the front of my car and I could no longer see paint…just smashed bugs, an inch thick:eek: . Isn’t there also a Chicken farm or something near the prison? That probably causes a lot of flies and other bugs. Maybe Access should add on their package list “fly traps” LOL:D
Megan

The flies are bad in visiting even though they have fly traps in there. Between the flies, heat and cow smells, I dont know how they do it. I guess there are worse places for the heat. Yea and the bugs on the car.

OMG, I was telling Kris, my car is GRAY and YELLOW now...YUCK!!!!! Nasty! I try to run it through a carwash as soon as I can after I leave there so it does destroy my paint...

Yeah - I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't YET washed my car since it's maiden voyage to Hotel Avenal!! :eek: It looks pretty BAD!!! Definitely will be washing it after this next trip.....
Better invest in a fan for him, huh?? :yes:


OMG, I was telling Kris, my car is GRAY and YELLOW now...YUCK!!!!! Nasty! I try to run it through a carwash as soon as I can after I leave there so it does destroy my paint...

OK OK, I didn't want to admit that I hadn't either...LOL, but sense you brought it up, I ADMIT I STILL have a gray and yellow car, 2 weeks worth of "yellow". MY god I hope it is not destorying my paint.

Jordanrae, I will call you this afternoon to check on your plans...I am calling it a day from work!!!

Chow

yes the chicken farm is in the back of the prison... thousands of the little fellows... even the hotels in the surrounding area have massive problems with flies :(

Phone question:

did anyone else NOT receive a call this morning from yard 3?

I think I'm over reacting and freaking myself out...but my husband calls me at certain times on certain days and I worry when the call doesn't happen....

I'm hoping that the phones were down or something like that and that is all..so, if anyone can reassure me that everything is ok this moring on yard 3, I'll sleep ok tonight!:)

Thanks~

I know they were having phone issues this morning, but some were able to get to phones that worked.

I know last night on yard 5 the phone cut off on us twice. Finally i told him to just call back another day, $2 to connect and then to just be cut off! No thanks.
Megan

One reason I know that the phones shut off is if they use a slot that wasnt resserved for anyone, then the COs turn the phones off. It can be frustrating if you are on the phone and they turn it off.

I just talked to him tonight and he said the phones were shut off this morning cause they were fixing them.
megan

Fri (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=3)
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Sat (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCA0056?dayNum=4)
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