Wow :idea: I noticed that the other new prison forums were up and running but this ones getting out the door kind of slow. How many of you have a loved one in CAL? How long have they been there and when are they due to arrive home?

Hello, Im new to PTO. I have a loved on in Calipatria. He just got there on 3/03/06. Im kind of worried. any info on that place?

I haven't been on PTO in awhile, glad to see this new forum. My husband is in Calipatria and he's been there for about six years. Compared to what I've heard about other prisons, Calipatria has been pretty good, but there's a new warden so things will no doubt change.

It's hot down here in the Summer, it's starts (the heat) around May 100+ degrees most days during the Summer, which ends late Sept. or so. The line to get in is usually very long so get there early, people stay over night or leave their cars in line overnight as early as Thursdays for the Saturday and Sunday visits.

Right now they're on Lockdown with Hispanic's on AB&C on restrictions and last weekend D Yard had no visits for any race at all, that's unusual because they are the Sensitive Needs Yard (Protective Custody) and don't usally have problems.

Calipatria Inn is the local Motel, but it's pricey, about $70+ per night. There are cheaper motels in Brawley, 10 miles South, or El Centro 24 miles further South, which is where you'll find the majority of the stores and restuarants.

I hope this information helps. Welcome to the Imperial Valley aka the desert.

i have a husband in cal. i live in las vegas and i went down there for the first time since he's been there. he got there Jan 7th 2006. so far i hate to go to that place to visit. first off it's to many people in line to visit. if you want a good number you have to get there about 2 or 3 in the morning. i got there at 3:30am and i was number 89. that's crazy! but the first day i went with my children who had state issue i.d's and there was no problem. but the very next day they told me i needed to have their birthcertifacate when i did'nt need them the first day. i thought that was really messed up. but i did have their birth cert. but i had to wait for my brother to bring the car back with the birth cert. in it. talk about really mad. i drove all the way from here to get there and it be some crazy thang. but my husband has 3yrs to go he been in jail since 1998. our hard part is over. i can tell you this just stay strong for the both of you.

Thank you ladies (jglsqueen and ladylibra2020) for the replies. Wow, I can't believe that visits are that much trouble! So, I guess I would need to stay at a hotel the night before (since I'll be driving about 5 hours to get there) in order to get there at 3 a.m.! to be able to see him, right! Dang, that really sucks. But I miss him sooo much... so I gotta do what I gotta do to see my baby. Are all visits there contact visits? He's there to do the rest of his time, I think, so I hope I finallly get to hug him. It's been 4 long years! Oh yeah, how is the mail process there? Is it too slow? My baby got there on 3/03/06 and I havent heard from him yet. I've been really worried. I've been trying to call the prison to get a mailing address all this week, but never got through. I hope I hear from him soon :( How often do both of you visit with your men? How are the visits?

Thanks for the info!

Benji's Girl

Benji's girl,
I visit my husband every Saturday unless I have something come up. His yard (D) has been on lockdown for the past two weeks, but they will have a modified visiting schedule starting this week. Meaning inmates with numbers ending 0-49 can have contact visits on Saturday only and those ending with 50-99 on Sunday only and if it's anything like last time they had this rotating schedule, they will switch days every weekend until further notice. Meaning next weekend 0-49 will have Sunday visits and 50-99 Saturday visits and so on. This is only for D yard. All of the other yards have normal visits with the exception of Hispanics. Check the visiting line before you head out.

The mail has improved since they started separating the mail by different po boxes.

The general administratve address is: CSP-CAL
PO Box 5001
Calipatria, CA 92233-5001

but it depends on which yard your loved one is on, which box you use. I'm sorry, the only boxes I know for sure are for D-yard PO Box 5007 and to send money use PO Box 5003, there's also one of legal mail. I think the other boxes go in order like facility A-5004, B-5005-C-5006, but I'm not positive. The phone number is 760-348-7000.

The line to get in is horrendous so you do have to get there early in the morning to get a good number. You are better off coming the day or night before and staying in the motel, leave your car parked on line, and I hear that there's someone at the motel who will give you a ride to the line in the morning, but again, I'm not positive about that, but you can ask. Calipatria Inn-760-348-7348 (1-800-830-1113).

I've never had a bad visit, and I've never been terminated due to overcrowding, I've come close, but they ask for volunteers first, and for people to share tables, before considering termination. The staff has changed somewhat and they are on people more about the amount of physical contact, I've seen at least three couples get their visits terminated because of excessive contact in the last couple of months. Until recently, it was pretty easy going. It might have something to do with the new warden.

Most visits are contact visits, but since they've been on lockdown, Hispanics, depending on their housing location, have some restrictions, and require appointments for window visits, which I understand are very hard to get. Check the visiting information line for more details. 1-800-374-8474-press 1, 6, 2 to get Calipatria.

I hope this helps and that you get to see your loved one soon.

Hi to everyone, I'm glad to see that i'm not the only one who has a love one in Cal. My boyfriend has been there for five years now. Right now he is in the hole A5 and they are on lockdown since the c/o got hurt. I hope they get their visits back soon. I'm sure Ad-Seg. will be the first one to get visits back. I just don't know how long. I called today just to see if I can make a Opp. but they said no they are on lockdown. But i will keep calling and try to make a opp. to see him.

god bless all of you women, Friend

You ladies are wonderful and provide excellent information. My cousin was transfered there and I wish I had read this before I sent him a money order today. He is on B-yard and I sent the money order addressed to him at the P.O. Box where I send his letters to (5005) I was wondering if anyone knows if they will put it on his books or send it back to me telling me that I need to send it to the correct P.O. Box.

Any info any can provide would be great.

Thanks

P.S. He didn't tell me that there was a different box # to send $ to.

I was wondering if anyone knows if they will put it on his books or send it back to me telling me that I need to send it to the correct P.O. Box.



I've never had a problem with a m.o. getting there by going straight to the designated yard p.o. box and in with the letter. I just make sure to put his name and cdc number on it. Keep your receipt too. There are cases where things get lost or fall on the floor, most definately. I'd also include in a letter that there you sent a m.o. along. Hope that helps, but the other way may be better or faster? I'm sure it will get to him ok anyway.

Friend22,
My baby is in A-5, in the hole as well! He hasn't said much about his stay there, but yeah, they are on lock down for another month or so. He just transfered there 03/01/06. Haven't been able to visit with him yet. Let's keep our fingers crossed!!!
Have you ever gone to visit your man there? If so, what is it like? My baby was in County Jail until November of this past year and is now serving his sentence there.
Are they contact visits?

Thank you!
Benji's Girl

Well that certainly sounds promising. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I just sent it off on Friday and I did keep the receipt :thumbsup:

LJI've never had a problem with a m.o. getting there by going straight to the designated yard p.o. box and in with the letter. I just make sure to put his name and cdc number on it. Keep your receipt too. There are cases where things get lost or fall on the floor, most definately. I'd also include in a letter that there you sent a m.o. along. Hope that helps, but the other way may be better or faster? I'm sure it will get to him ok anyway.

I just recently came accross this site, and my man's in CAL... He's coming home in June, not that long to go... He got transfer to Chino, after the riots in Wayside, and now got transfer to CAL... I've been to Centinela, and heard CAL isnt that far from there, is that true? Is it true that we cant pick them up, and have to go to the greyhound?
I've been trying to find out about the Dress Outs but havent got much luck... Is there a number besides the main one to call, and get information... Any suggestions, I think I'm going bald just thinking....

Yes I found out you have to pick them up at 460 W State Street
El Centro ca 92243 thats the address so you can get directions from Map Quest.com:thumbsup: hope this helps:D

Is any one having difficulty getting books to thier people???????????????

My G-Man was just moved to Calipatria from SVSP. I knew it was an adjustment for him but it just seems that this prison is worse. They don't allow him to have things he was allowed to have at SVSP. Here's to making it through the adjustment and hoping things get better for him and everyone there. My prayers are there with him as is my heart!!

maybe because I have never went to any of the other prisons i have no general complaints on this prison other than the visiting lines are like crappy.. I HATE THEM SOOOOOOOO MUCH..OH ITS A DANG PAIN IN THWE BUTT TO HAVE TO PARK OUT THERE EARLY IN THE MORNING TO GET A SPOT TO WAIT TIO GET ANUMBER TO STILL WAIT ON THEM TO BRING THEM OUT. ONE TIME I WAITED 45MIN. BEFORE I WENT UP AND ASKED THE CO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HE SAYS "OH THEY ON THERE WAY DOWN" OHHHHH SUCH A PAIN.. BUT I HAVE NOT VISITED HIM IN LIKE 1YEAR(DUE TO OUR ISSUES) SO WHO KNOWS IT MAY HAVE GOTTEN BETTER..GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT VISIT THERE..

maybe because I have never went to any of the other prisons i have no general complaints on this prison other than the visiting lines are like crappy.. I HATE THEM SOOOOOOOO MUCH..OH ITS A DANG PAIN IN THWE BUTT TO HAVE TO PARK OUT THERE EARLY IN THE MORNING TO GET A SPOT TO WAIT TIO GET ANUMBER TO STILL WAIT ON THEM TO BRING THEM OUT. ONE TIME I WAITED 45MIN. BEFORE I WENT UP AND ASKED THE CO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HE SAYS "OH THEY ON THERE WAY DOWN" OHHHHH SUCH A PAIN.. BUT I HAVE NOT VISITED HIM IN LIKE 1YEAR(DUE TO OUR ISSUES) SO WHO KNOWS IT MAY HAVE GOTTEN BETTER..GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT VISIT THERE..
Not with all the lockdowns:blah:

I have a loved one in Cali.:( my brother he barely turned 18. they barely transfered him there 2 weks ago, his previous location was Delano.
his too far for us to go visit him!:(

Where do you live? Maybe you can carpool with someone. We are here to help each other out.

I am worried about my Amigo in Cali. He never calls because he is in the hole but he hasn't written since the 23rd and that's rare. Anyone hear anything about problems in Ad Seg A5 217. Has anyone got calls from their man lately. My friend is Shady from El Monte. I hate when there is no communication from inside at least a call once and awhile, all the privileges get taken away and it seems like it is never ending. I pray Billy and all of your loved ones are o.k. Blessing to you and your.

My Man Paroles from Calipat in Sep. 07' and i don't know where to pick him up Please help Thank You


Ms. Tee

they will drop him off at the bus station in El centro, CA

they will drop him off at the bus station in El centro, CA


Thank You for the Info so that means there is no way I can pick him up at Calipat. I As wanted to ask if you know anyone that lives in San Diego cause I would like to find someone to carpool with cause as you may know it can get a little expensive. I have my own transportation, I rent a car.

Hello Ladies,

My husband is in CALIPAT. He just got transferred from New Folsom a few months ago. I am so happy.. He is so much closer to home... I'm glad there's a site like this one. Where we can talk and people understand us. Anyone ever looking for someone to ride with. Never hesitate to send a message..



God Bless All....


I Love My Baby

My lil bro is in Calipatria B-Yard and he has been there for 7 months. He came from Centinela and I thought that was bad but Calipat. is worse.

My friend just transferred to CAL from Pelican Bay. I don't know where he is yet....It's only been a day. Guess I'll have to wait until Tuesday and I'll call and try again.

I thought Centinela, is worse than Calipat.....They have people in the GYM, housed,:eek: I'm sure it's like that in a few of the others, not at Calipat yet. All the Institutions have one thing or another......

quote=eluna 17]My lil bro is in Calipatria B-Yard and he has been there for 7 months. He came from Centinela and I thought that was bad but Calipat. is worse.[/quote]