My husband got lodged into Two Rivers after his intake at Coffee Creek. I think the phone calls will cost less. He has the VAC phone card and he can order some tennis shoes and a radio along with his commisary in a few days. I don't know when I will get to visit, I hope soon. It's probably a nice drive along the Columbia River. He got to keep his wedding ring on and felt very good about that! Now I need to find out about sending books in. I'm also wondering if some hotels are safer and nicer than others, any experiences there?

This is good news! Coffee Creek was the worst part in my experience. Your guy will be much happier now. He can get settled into a routine now.

I don't know anything about Two Rivers, but I am sure others will be able to help you with that.

As far as books go, I have been using Powell's online bookstore to send books into my guy. They seem to get there really fast since they are based in Oregon. I created a wishlist on their site for him. I printed it out and sent it to him so he could see/review what's on there. You can also send the wishlist list to other people that want to send him books. I am testing out if they allow used books to be sent in this week....if so, that would be great since it's so much cheaper. I will let you know if my little experiment works :)

Have your guy help you get approved for visits ASAP and go see him!

-javagirl

Just wanted to say congrat!!

My guy is at Two Rivers also but he went straight from Coffee Creek to the hole so don't know much about how the place operates yet. You do have to get books sent directly from the seller like Powell's or Amazon. You can also have magazines or even the local paper sent if you think he'd like that, but again, they have to come direct from the publisher. I'm in Eugene and would love a ride share partner once my guy is okayed for visits so PM me if you'd be interested. Great news about your guy getting out of Coffee Creek. I hear the food is good there but that's about it. For men, it's just a sit around and wait.

My husband was at TR for about a year. We have a close friend there. Umatilla only has a few hotels to choose from, most are run-down but cheap. One will give you a discount if you say you're visiting the prison, makes it $35/night. There's a couple of nice hotels in Hermiston, about 10-15 minutes from the prison. It's about $60-70/night. One is a best western and one is something suites. The suites have a free breakfast.If you stay in Hermiston, and you are closer to shops and restaraunts. Umatilla doesn't hardly have anything.

TRs is unique in that there are about 100 prisoners in a pod and they rarely see anyone else in the prison, they don't share yard and chow with inmates outside their pod.

Thanks for such such quick responses! The way he describes it he's in a temporary orientation area and hasn't got his permanent cell yet. Lots of rules to abide by, he almost got in big trouble cuz he didn't know you had to be sitting on your bed at "count" time. I don't know when I can visit but he said he can find out tomorrow and he will let me know. You can get powdered protein and vitamins, he's very happy about that. I guess it takes 6 months of good behavior before you can get a tv. Anyone know can they have 2 visits the same day since we travel so far?

yes, they can have 2 visits the same day. The official rules say you may have to request a "special visit" in order to do this, but I have never once been asked to do that anyplace he has been at, and I always visit both the morning and afternoon session.

My husband has been there for about 6 months from Pendleton, I was there about a month ago and stayed at Oxford Suites nice place room was about 75.00/night, I took my son so that gave him a chance to go swimming. since there isn't much to do there anyway... There is the Desert river Inn that's right before the prison, I called them and they will give you a Gov't discount for visiting the prison which I think was 60.00/night.. So it depends on what you want or can spend. I liked the Oxford, cause there was a pool, continental breakfast and very clean. As for visiting you can double visit everyday which is rather nice, metal detector is very sensitive... Hope that helps..

Hi! My husband is at Two Rivers...I am flying out next week to see him. I live in Michigan so I only get to see my husband once every 4 months or as much as we can afford. Plane fares are so expensive.
I have been there many times, and got married in there last April, so if anyone has questions, please ask!

Marina
www.nojusticeinoregon.com (http://www.nojusticeinoregon.com)

Oxford Suites- That's where I stayed. Loved the indoor hot tub. It's worth the extra money if you have it. In addition to the continental breakfast, they gave me drink tokens for their bar and they had free appetizers during happy hour.

Marina - That is dedication - to travel so far to visit!! I'm originally from Michigan, so I know just how far that is. My family member used to be in a prison in southern California and we would travel there to visit about four times a year. You've got even farther to travel!! Must be love, eh?? Zelda