Anyone have experience doing this? I understand that hard cover are not allowed. Furthermore, these books must be sent by a known book seller such as Barns & Noble and must be sent US Postal Service. Is there anything else I should know?

Thanks

That's pretty much it. I was able to send in books from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, without issue, to CCWF. I'm sure VSPW is the same way. Paperback only, a maximum of six at a time (and the inmate can have a maximum of 10 in her property, total, unless she's D status, in which case it's 5).

This is info given to me by the very nice and ALWAYS very helpful Nancy over at the IFC-VSPW (http://www.vspw-ifc.com/):

Inmates may receive up to 10 books at a time, paperback, Delivered directly from the publisher or distributor (same as before). The only difference is that they have to go through R&R, and that the inmates may only have a total of 10 books in their possession at any one time. That means if your lady has 10 books on her 'property' card, she'll need to bring them with her to R&R when she's ducated to pick up her new books. She may then donate them, give them away, etc. In return, she will be given the new books.

The books don't HAVE to come from Amazon/Barnes/etc, but it helps to limit the potential for anyone to use discretion. So just try not to send them from Bob's Book Bargains and you should be OK.

also try overstock.com the prices were the best we could find.

I have a question based on this posting. My friend SHOULD be transferred to one of these two women's facilities. Are you allowed to send books any time? (Doesn't count against their quarterly packages or anything?) Instead of having them "donate or give away" the books, Is there any way for one of her visitors to get them "out" of her property and take them home with them? (She's currently in Sacramento County Jail and they have that option so just curious how things are different.) Do any of you know how easy it is for what she already has in her cell at Sac. to get transferred WITH her to one of the prisons? If she's only allowed 5-10 books, should I get novels she's ALREADY read out of her property NOW so I can "re-sell" them used to someone else and then she can get NEW books without giving them "away?" So overstock.com was allowed?

rachelb,
I think you should call the facility she is at and ask them exactly what can be done, every place is different. I know where my son is they told me if he has too many books he can't get more unless he gives away some. Not sure if they can give them to property, I would think probable not. I know they don't count towards his quarterly package. Which I just found out because of the yard he is on they are not shipping to two of the four yards. Have to wait for a letter from him and I think he is getting moved but who knows when or where. Don't understand why some yards would get the package and not others. Maybe in the morning I will try to call his couselor. Who usually just gives me the brush off but I still try. Good luck.

Are you allowed to send books any time?

Yes.

(Doesn't count against their quarterly packages or anything?)

They don't count against their packages, no. (Music must be included in a package, books do not have to be.)

Instead of having them "donate or give away" the books, Is there any way for one of her visitors to get them "out" of her property and take them home with them?

Visitors can't take anything away from the institutions (CCWF and VSPW) but what they brought in. "Extra" books can be mailed home at the inmate's expense if she has enough on her books to cover the cost, or donated to the institution's library.

Thanks, Strasse! I'm not looking forward to her transferring but know that I need to be prepared when she gets there.

I have a question based on this posting. My friend SHOULD be transferred to one of these two women's facilities. Are you allowed to send books any time? (Doesn't count against their quarterly packages or anything?) Instead of having them "donate or give away" the books, Is there any way for one of her visitors to get them "out" of her property and take them home with them? (She's currently in Sacramento County Jail and they have that option so just curious how things are different.) Do any of you know how easy it is for what she already has in her cell at Sac. to get transferred WITH her to one of the prisons? If she's only allowed 5-10 books, should I get novels she's ALREADY read out of her property NOW so I can "re-sell" them used to someone else and then she can get NEW books without giving them "away?" So overstock.com was allowed?


shes not allowed to take anything with her when shes transfered to state except her legal papers. so, when she catches the chain , sahe'll have to mail them home or since its county pick them up before she leaves. in state, depending on which one she goes to, if she has more sent in an does have to go to r&r she'll have to mail them home in order to receive more. hope that helps.

Thanks, everybody! Does anyone know if there's anyway to "speed up" the visitation process and getting approved. Someone was able to get me the CDC visitation application, but it looks like it needs to be signed by the inmate FIRST. I'd just like to be as prepared as possible when she IS moved. She gets sentenced on April 7th. She's my best friend and is having a REALLY hard time imagining no contact/communication for a couple of months. Do you know how the facilities handle phone calls?--cost? frequency allowed? etc.

Okay another question. I was reading some more about the CDC, etc. Looks like you can't send books while someone is still in reception and they can be in there a few months? is that true? Has anyone tried to send just a page or two at a time of a book in letters to any female inmates?
(I send my friend a letter every day since she's been in jail, and Sac. allows me to cut out word searches, devotional pages, etc. from books and send them into her with her letters so I was curious if I'll be able to do that at least while she's in reception.

Thanks, everybody! Does anyone know if there's anyway to "speed up" the visitation process and getting approved.

If she ends up at VSPW or CCWF (very likely, together they house something like 70% of the female inmates in the state), approval is pretty fast. Like, 2-3 weeks, per my recent experience with both facilities. CIW took longer, about 6 weeks.

Do you know how the facilities handle phone calls?--cost? frequency allowed? etc.

She won't be able to call while she's in reception. Once she goes over the wall, assuming she's programming, she'll be able to sign up for one 15-minute phone call per month on B group, or as many 15-minute phone calls a month as she can fit into the schedule if she's on A group. Cost will vary depending on how far away you are, but expect the calls to be $7 or so for the 15 minutes, collect-only.

Okay another question. I was reading some more about the CDC, etc. Looks like you can't send books while someone is still in reception and they can be in there a few months? is that true?

You might call the facility and ask. Books do appear on the property matrix; reception center (U-status) inmates can have up to 5. See: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/BudgetRegs/docs/DOM/NCDOM/2005NCDOM/05_08/Sec_%2054030.17-54030.19.pdf

Has anyone tried to send just a page or two at a time of a book in letters to any female inmates?

That would work just fine. Could be more than a page or two, actually. (The most I've sent in one letter -- manila envelope with the metal clasp removed -- was 178 pages.)

I butchered a perfectly good copy of The Da Vinci Code, as it's not yet available in paperback, and all sections got through okay. (Of course, once they were loaned out and circulated, they didn't stay that way, but, what can you do? :))

THANKS, Strasse! You are quite the knowledgable person. I appreciate it very much! I anticipate her going to one of the two chowchilla facilities as well.

What are the SHU and ASU categories? How is it determined what group someone is put into? Does the fact that she is a "PC" in county play a role at all. She's protected because of the type of crime she was accused of.

If nothing else, I'll send her pages of books. Good to know, they'll let that through if nothing else!

Since you've had recent experience with both facilities, how long did it generally take for the women to get out of reception?

Is it true that if I send her any money to buy things, that California will take 44% of it regardless?

Can you send more than one stationary package to an inmate? Do both Chowchilla facilities allow stamp books? (I noticed that you can send "20 pre-stamped envelopes" or you can send 20 stamps....I noticed it doesn't say anything about sending blank envelopes with loose stamps...what's up with that?)

So both facilities DO have libraries? How does that work for inmates as far as checking books out.

County had NOTHING so it was very important to send her books so she'd have SOMETHING to occupy her time. Sorry for asking SO MANY questions! All of this is brand spanking new, and I'm trying to prepare as much as possible. I'm the only one who does anything for her and then everyone comes to ME for the answers, help, etc. I appreciate your help and this site so much!

I have been able to send my son (in california prison) stamps and envelopes and other times stamped envelopes. We usually send 3 pads of paper, they are yellow and I think called legal pads. Not sure how many in each tablet, they are connected at the top and are able to get to him, we buy them at Walmart. The books have been a mess to get to him. He was first at Calipatria and the books arrived November 4, 2005 and in January he was transferred to Centinela. He still had not received the books so they were fowarded to him, after me calling a bunch of times. Well as of last Thursday he still doesn't have them. I call the R&R in the mailroom and she says they have them and will get them to him. I don't know what else to do. I think over 4 months is long enough. Since both facilities had been on lockdown they were not able to get books from the libarary. They would trade and share with each other so he was able to find out he loves to read. We were all surprised but very happy he found a way to let his mind get away. Good luck to you.

Thanks, bahmom. From what I've gathered each state prison varies a little on their rules. There seems to be a lot more info. out there for the men's prisons vs. the women's and you have to "know what you're doing" no matter what. Makes it hard for us rookies. :)

For the record, I called VSPW today and a reception inmate (at least there) is not allowed to receive any books, BUT they are allowed to check out books from the library.