My son is in Oklahoma Federal Transfer Center, waiting to be sent to FCI Fort Dix. Can any one give me any information on this institution? :confused:

Welcome to PTO! Glad you found us!

Here is a well written and in-depth profile of Fort Dix prison.

http://www.michaelsantos.net/fortdix.html

I also have a friend who will more than likely be turning himself in at Fort Dix in August.:(

My husband is at Fort Dix. He's been there for almost a month already. I have visited with him twice. Ask me some questions and I'll try to answer them for you.

How are the visiting conditions? How many hours are you permitted per visit. We have not been to visit our son yet. We live 5 to 6 hours from Dix, but keep in contact through the mail. He will be in Fed prison until 2010 at least. How long will your husband be incarcerated?

Visiting conditions are ok. Hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 1pm until 9pm. Saturday and Sundays are from 8:00 am until 3 pm. Saturday and Sundays are designated days. Your son will know which dates on the weekends you can visit. Weekdays you can visit any day. You can stay as long as you want but they are on a point system. On weekdays 1 hour equals 1 point. On weekends 1 hour equals 2 points. They are allowed 30 points per month. Something very important for him to remember is that as soon as he goes to the visiting room he must give his ID to the guard on station otherwise he can get in A LOT of trouble and they can end the visit. The visiting room is a big open space with rows of chairs and small tables. No privacy. They have vending machines with microwaveable food, candy and soda. And of course, they have microwaves. The food can be anywhere from $2.50 to $6.00. So take lots of singles and change in a clear zip lock bag. That is the only thing you will be aloud to bring in. That and a sweater or jacket. You don't get searched you only go through a metal detector. You may also want to let your son know to use the bathroom before he goes to the visiting room otherwise he has to wait for restroom call and they gather enough inmates to take to the bathroom.

Thank you for the infromation.

I did 4-1/2 years at FortDix. The visits really depend on what C-O is on at the time of you visiting ... Meaning some C-O's are nasty.. Then some other C-o's are cool.. Trust me the cool one's are few..The funny thing is the rules could change one co lets you do something and another would freak out !!!Different RULES all the time.. I use to get my visits on Thursday night it was easy for my family to visit then --- The weekends were so dam crowded.. I have a ton of funny stories about visiting, some i cannot say on here . But try and enjoy your visits and let the person know you are there no matter what.. And dont ever let a C-O make you feel less about you or your loved one ... If anyone needs any info about FortDix let me know i would be glad to help.

We are going to visit our son this Friday and Saturday. My wife his older brother his newly born son and his girl friend as well as myself will be visiting. This will be our first visit. Please provide us with any important information we should be aware of. Thank You for any help you can provide.

I have a dear friend that was just transfered to FCI Fort Dix and would also like more information if it's possible. Do they have transportation options or something of that sort. Are you able to bring your cell phone and disc man with you or you have to leave it home. I only visited Riker's Island so I don't know much, especially about federal prisons.

We were able to visit with our son on Friday only. It was not his weekend to have visitors and we were not aware of that until we at the entrance gate. My son was also not aware last weekend was not his week for visitors. I suggest you call before you visit on the weekend to see if that is his weekend for visitors. You are not permitted to take anything into the visiting area. We were not permitted to take my grandson's car seat or diaper bag in the area. You are allowed to take money, one and five dollar bills as well as coins to purchase refreshments. Nothing higher than five dollar bills are permitted.

my husband might be going ther i want to know if he would be able to touch me iam 5 months pregant and would like him to feel me belly or kiss him can this happen and any other info u think i should know please let me know thank u can e mail me at email edited by moderator, per Policies and Rules

Hello. I have a 2 1/2 month old son and I was planning to take him. What did you do when you have to change his diaper or feed him? Were you allowed to at least carry the bottle in there? Please advise, because I'm going to visit him on Thursday and I don't want to screw anything up. I was in the same situation as you today. I went to visit him and he added my name on the list when he was in the West Facility, but they failed to transfer that information to the camp and apply it to their computers. I drove for 2 hours, only to get rejected at the gate. I would appreciate any information you could provide being that we have a lot in common. Thanks.



We were able to visit with our son on Friday only. It was not his weekend to have visitors and we were not aware of that until we at the entrance gate. My son was also not aware last weekend was not his week for visitors. I suggest you call before you visit on the weekend to see if that is his weekend for visitors. You are not permitted to take anything into the visiting area. We were not permitted to take my grandson's car seat or diaper bag in the area. You are allowed to take money, one and five dollar bills as well as coins to purchase refreshments. Nothing higher than five dollar bills are permitted.

Hello. I have a 2 1/2 month old son and I was planning to take him. What did you do when you have to change his diaper or feed him? Were you allowed to at least carry the bottle in there? Please advise, because I'm going to visit him on Thursday and I don't want to screw anything up. I was in the same situation as you today. I went to visit him and he added my name on the list when he was in the West Facility, but they failed to transfer that information to the camp and apply it to their computers. I drove for 2 hours, only to get rejected at the gate. I would appreciate any information you could provide being that we have a lot in common. Thanks. We have been rejected twice on visiting our son. Last time was Feb. 27th. It is a six our drive for us. I tried to call main number at Dix to see if our son had visiting privilges, but no one answered the phone after letting it ring continuously for a half an hour. I spent the night in a hotel Saturday and got to the gate at about 7:30 Sunday morning and was told my son did not have visitng privleges. I turned around and drove 6 hours home. I was told no one answers the phone on weekends at Dix. As far as your child is concerned I believe there is an area to change babies and they let you take a few bottles and diapers in to the area. It probably will not be as crowded on Thursday as it is on the weekend.

Hello. I appreciate the response. The day (Monday) I dropped my husband off, he was supposed to turn himself in by 12:00. We got there at 11:30 and they blocked off the gates. I kept calling them over the weekend, and I found out after letting the phone ring for about 30 minutes that they don't answer the phone. Would you believe that I called them and notified them that he was supposed to surrender himself and it was hell! I didn't want him to get in trouble for being late. I spoke with the girl who answers the phone. Her name is Dee-Dee. Sorry to say... But she wasn't too bright. I had to get pretty aggressive with her and she finally pulled through with some answers after calling her about 8 times. Did your son put you on the visitor's list? I know your "Immediate Family" but when I was there the last time, the guards had me waiting for an hour by their trailer and one of the guards was pretty nice to me. He told me that even if you are immediate family, it will take time because they have to run a check on you to verify who you "really are". I don't know... But if you have a tough time calling them, feel free to give me his inmate # and I will call it in for you and get you a damn answer. That is crazy! I have been speaking with my husband daily. They transfered him to the camp recently and he told me that family members that have a long drive; well your son can request a special visitation request through their unit leader which I guess then gets the approval or disapproval of the warden. Thanks for the info. regarding the conditions for my son visiting. Which facility is your son in? East, West, or the Camp? Either ways, I'm sorry to hear that you got jerked around. I hope that no one has to encounter that kind of disappointment. Take care and keep in touch.

:wave:



We have been rejected twice on visiting our son. Last time was Feb. 27th. It is a six our drive for us. I tried to call main number at Dix to see if our son had visiting privilges, but no one answered the phone after letting it ring continuously for a half an hour. I spent the night in a hotel Saturday and got to the gate at about 7:30 Sunday morning and was told my son did not have visitng privleges. I turned around and drove 6 hours home. I was told no one answers the phone on weekends at Dix. As far as your child is concerned I believe there is an area to change babies and they let you take a few bottles and diapers in to the area. It probably will not be as crowded on Thursday as it is on the weekend.

Our son is in the West wing. We are on his visiting list and we are aware of special visting privileges for family that live more than 200 miles from Dix. At the present time our son has had his visiting, telephone and commissary privileges denied for 90 days because he missed his appointment for his progress review. He told us that he was ill, however he should have keep the appointment. He thinks that the punishment is extreme and want us to write to the warden. I don't know what good that would do. He has at least 6 1/2 years left to serve on his approximate release date, so he is going to have to follow the rules or suffer these type of consequences or worse. It is an unbelievable feeling of helplessness when you can do nothing to protect your child. He has made some decisions that will be barriers in his life for as long as he lives. He is 23 years old and has spent his last two birthdays incarcarated. While he was out on bond under electronic mointoring he fathered a son, he is beautiful. However, he will have to visit his father at Dix for next six years. I hope and pray that our son takes advantage of programs that are offered within the system to prepare himself for his release. There is not much advice I can give him, because I have never had the experience of being incarcerated. Our trust in our God and the strong family relationship that we have, has enabled us to survive this last year and a half. Thanks for responding, as well as listening. Keep in touch!

Hello. How are you? Thanks for taking the time to follow up with me. I really don't know which wing he's in. I know he's in Camp 5910. I'm sorry to hear that he got his privileges taken away from him. I spoke to my husband and he tells me that as long as you follow the rules, he is allowed to apply for the major holiday to come home for a while. He told me that the Jewish people were released this week for Passover. So God willing, he can maintain good behavior and come home for a little bit. I hope your son will take advantage of his time there. I was told that the library ins't all that great but I am being told that Fort Dix isn't as bad as he thought it would be. The 6 1/2 years... Is this the full time he has to serve after the calculations?!?!? May he keep his faith in God and set his affairs straight. My ears are always open, so don't hesitate to contact me. If there is anything I can help, feel free to ask and keep me posted. Take care.



Our son is in the West wing. We are on his visiting list and we are aware of special visting privileges for family that live more than 200 miles from Dix. At the present time our son has had his visiting, telephone and commissary privileges denied for 90 days because he missed his appointment for his progress review. He told us that he was ill, however he should have keep the appointment. He thinks that the punishment is extreme and want us to write to the warden. I don't know what good that would do. He has at least 6 1/2 years left to serve on his approximate release date, so he is going to have to follow the rules or suffer these type of consequences or worse. It is an unbelievable feeling of helplessness when you can do nothing to protect your child. He has made some decisions that will be barriers in his life for as long as he lives. He is 23 years old and has spent his last two birthdays incarcarated. While he was out on bond under electronic mointoring he fathered a son, he is beautiful. However, he will have to visit his father at Dix for next six years. I hope and pray that our son takes advantage of programs that are offered within the system to prepare himself for his release. There is not much advice I can give him, because I have never had the experience of being incarcerated. Our trust in our God and the strong family relationship that we have, has enabled us to survive this last year and a half. Thanks for responding, as well as listening. Keep in touch!

Our son is in the West wing. We are on his visiting list and we are aware of special visting privileges for family that live more than 200 miles from Dix. At the present time our son has had his visiting, telephone and commissary privileges denied for 90 days because he missed his appointment for his progress review. He told us that he was ill, however he should have keep the appointment. He thinks that the punishment is extreme and want us to write to the warden. I don't know what good that would do. He has at least 6 1/2 years left to serve on his approximate release date, so he is going to have to follow the rules or suffer these type of consequences or worse. It is an unbelievable feeling of helplessness when you can do nothing to protect your child. He has made some decisions that will be barriers in his life for as long as he lives. He is 23 years old and has spent his last two birthdays incarcarated. While he was out on bond under electronic mointoring he fathered a son, he is beautiful. However, he will have to visit his father at Dix for next six years. I hope and pray that our son takes advantage of programs that are offered within the system to prepare himself for his release. There is not much advice I can give him, because I have never had the experience of being incarcerated. Our trust in our God and the strong family relationship that we have, has enabled us to survive this last year and a half. Thanks for responding, as well as listening. Keep in touch!


I have done 4 1/2 years at fort dix... Was released in "98" And wow what a ride it was.... I think it's great that you are stainding behind your son, because it's family that will be there when you are down... I use to get my visits on Thursday nights---- So every Thurs night there was mom and one of my sisters... When i was there the camp and the low were all the same. I hear that the camp moved across the street... I'm sure its still all the same.

Tell your son to play the game "trust me it's all a mind game" he must realize what he's dealing with and just play along... They try and make you feel less than human--- just remember play the game !

I am doing very well now ---I love my life --- I have to thankgod for Fort Dix it made me a much better person... I'm sure i could have learned in other ways ,but things happen in life and you have to go with it...It wasn't easy at all --- it seemed the hardest part was putting up with the retarted Co's... Most of them are wanna be cops--- very frustrated i might add.. So the only was to make them feel good about themselves is by being nasty... As i look back i laugh --- at some of the things that happened there....

If you need any info feel free to write---

I have a friend in Fort Dix who is also in the west wing/west side (not sure if its the same thing). He's been there a few years & has 2 more left. I havent seen him yet, but plan on visiting in a few weeks.

Make sure that you know your friends visiting schedule. We have made trips to visit with our son and not been able to see him because it was not his weekend.

My husbamd just self reported yesterday at 2 p, at Fort Dix and yes it was not fun. He is in the camp. I dont know anything about it down there. We had to say good bye to him at the visitors gate and watch him drive away. We have a brand new baby boy, three girls and an older boy. He got a ridiculous sentence for what he did. Im lost without him and have no idea what visits are like, how long does it take before they can call, write, when can i see him, what about the children, I am almost 8 hours away. I want him back so bad.:( :broken:

Our son is not in the camp. I think the camp is not as strict as low security confinement. Check website bop.gov to get information about the camp and visiting hours and possibility of special visits because of your distance. Our son is in the county jail at the present time. He was transfered to have a sentence reduction hearing. We were surprised when the Judge reduced his sentence by 59 months. He was to be released 12/29/2010 before his sentence was reduced. We expect his release date will be mid year of 2006. We are waiting to see if he will be returned to Dix, it is about a six hour drive for us to visit with him. He has a 1 year old son that he has seen about 3 or 4 times. Hopefully our son realizes how much he has been blessed and the power of prayer. Also check out website MichaelSantos.com. He is an inmate that has been incarcirated for many years and has written many books and articles.

yngwhtstud, what side of the prison were you in?

no