Hi Everyone,

Ok well, I read a thread here on PTO saying that a lot of people that make appointments with friends sometimes make double appointments and they don't cancel it, so that would mean that it's two spots less for us right? Well, I always make appointments for a friend and for myself and this had never happened to us until this week. I called on Monday and I got through for 9:15 appointments for the both of us, for the weekend of April 1st. and 2nd. Then on Tuesday she called, (She didn't get my message that I got through on Monday) and also scheduled some appointments for us at 9:45.

Well to make a long story short, I thought that the right thing to do was to call visiting at the prison and let them know what happenend so they could give those spots to other people. So I called at 9:30 this morning and guess what? The girl that answered the phone totally blew me off and was very rude about it too. She said that i should just keep the both of them because she wasn't going to go back and look for the appointments to cancel them! :blah: I couldn't believe it, I was shocked.

I guess that I don't have any specific point here, but I just wanted to share what happened, and I guess that it doesn't work to call and try to cancel. :( Should I do something or just let it go? Thanks ladies for "listening" to me. :)

Rebeca

Are you cool with me passing this post on to the IFC? One of the ladies on the IFC was the person who I received the original email from about the appointments.

Kelly.

First of all, what is the IFC? And second, if there will be no problems for my man or my friend that makes appointments with me, then go ahead, I have no problem with that. But I would assume that if the post will go anywhere further, I will be asked first right? Anyway, go ahead...

Rebeca

Are you cool with me passing this post on to the IFC? One of the ladies on the IFC was the person who I received the original email from about the appointments.

Kelly.

It's the Inmate Family Council. It's made up of Inmate family members who meet usually once a month with the Warden and the Visiting Lt., ect. There is usually 2-3 reps from each yard.


KellyA.

Well as long as my boyfriend doesn't get in trouble.

Rebeca

It was thoughtful of you to try to correct a wrong. I have learned not to worry about this. When you go to process in let them know. The fact that the appointments won't be used will actually make registering go faster for those who don't have an appointment. It all works out. I have learned that if I don't get an appointment I still get in for a visit. I don't know what has changed, but since January it seems that the registering process is going faster. Even if I arrive by 9 without an appointment, I still get in by 10:30. That's not bad. When I have an 8:30am appointment, it still takes 1 1/2-2 hours before he gets to come in for the visit.
Thanks again for being thoughtful. Some of the people I'm standing in line by should be as thoughtful. I try to be friendly but I guess I'm to new. -C

Thank you so much for the support. I hear you on that note, processing has gone a lot faster lately thank God. I will let them know once I get in to visiting. Thanks for the input.

Rebeca

It was thoughtful of you to try to correct a wrong. I have learned not to worry about this. When you go to process in let them know. The fact that the appointments won't be used will actually make registering go faster for those who don't have an appointment. It all works out. I have learned that if I don't get an appointment I still get in for a visit. I don't know what has changed, but since January it seems that the registering process is going faster. Even if I arrive by 9 without an appointment, I still get in by 10:30. That's not bad. When I have an 8:30am appointment, it still takes 1 1/2-2 hours before he gets to come in for the visit.
Thanks again for being thoughtful. Some of the people I'm standing in line by should be as thoughtful. I try to be friendly but I guess I'm to new. -C

I don't know what has changed, but since January it seems that the registering process is going faster. Even if I arrive by 9 without an appointment, I still get in by 10:30.

That is exciting news for me, I hope it stays that way!!! I've given up on appointments and on getting a full day's visit!

I have had to accept getting only two-hours visits because he's Close A and if I'm not in the visiting room before 11 (really 10:30), I have to wait till almost 1 so he can clear count.

My son is now at PVSP, I would like to make an appointment to visit him, could you let me know the phone number. If you went without an appointment, what are your chances of getting to see him. We are about 2 hours driving time. Any information would be great. Thanks

Hi,

To make an appointment for a contact visit the number is (559) 935-3780, this line is open from Monday through Wednesday but it super hard to get through, you have to hang up and press redial constantly. If you are having a non-contact visit (through glass) the number you need to call is (559) 935-4900 ext. 5708.

I have only been to visit once without an appointment and I got in line with the cars at about 4:30 a.m. and I got one of the first ten numbers to go in. But I have heard that some get there at about 11 or noon and still get a couple of hours of visit. I have never heard of anyone not being able to visit without an appointment because of time. Good luck with the appointment line, please feel free to ask any questions you may have. :)

Rebeca

My son is now at PVSP, I would like to make an appointment to visit him, could you let me know the phone number. If you went without an appointment, what are your chances of getting to see him. We are about 2 hours driving time. Any information would be great. Thanks

Rebeca

Thank you for the info, I will try to call but if all fails I will wait in line. Looking forward to seeing my son, so I am trying for this weekend. Thanks again.

Sharon

I got burnt out on trying to get an appointment and I just wait in the car line. If I am not staying in a motel up there, I get in the car line @ 7:30am ( I am usually pass # 200) and I get in to see my husband @ 11:00am.

And then between 8:00am and 9:30am I will either go to Starbucks ( the only one in California WITHOUT internet access :( ) or McDonalds.


KellyA.

Hi,

You're welcome for the info, I hope that you have a nice visit with your son, I forgot to mention the times when the line is open, it is the days that I mentioned above from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Rebeca

Rebeca

Thank you for the info, I will try to call but if all fails I will wait in line. Looking forward to seeing my son, so I am trying for this weekend. Thanks again.

Sharon

My shadow, welcome to pV!

I'm one of the ones who shows up at 11 or noon... the main advantage is you get to just walk in right away, no waiting and NO STRESS!! And he usually gets in to the visiting room in 30 minutes or so.

My guy is Close A, though, so they do an extra count at noon for them. That means unless I am in line before 7 am, I usually won't get in before noon anyway. And by then, grrrr, I'll be spitting mad... :mad:

So even though we only get 2 hours, it's pretty stress-free for me to show up around noon.

Either way, I hope you have a wonderful visit with your son :).

ps. Hmm, cheetoes, I swear I got online at that Starbucks... or am I dreaming?

My shadow, welcome to pV!

I'm one of the ones who shows up at 11 or noon... the main advantage is you get to just walk in right away, no waiting and NO STRESS!! And he usually gets in to the visiting room in 30 minutes or so.

My guy is Close A, though, so they do an extra count at noon for them. That means unless I am in line before 7 am, I usually won't get in before noon anyway. And by then, grrrr, I'll be spitting mad... :mad:

So even though we only get 2 hours, it's pretty stress-free for me to show up around noon.

Either way, I hope you have a wonderful visit with your son :).

ps. Hmm, cheetoes, I swear I got online at that Starbucks... or am I dreaming?

Thanks qwerty for the welcome. I am not new to Coalinga, believe it or not I was born in Coalinga and moved away when I was 12. So strange my son would end up where I was born. :confused: thanks also for the info on the visit and the 2 hour limit. My son is in A yard, been there almost a month. Talk to ya all soon. :) :)

Nope, no internet access!! :( I asked when I bought my coffee there the weekend before last. I'm bummed since I bought a cheap laptop to use while I am up there

Kelly

I got internet access through T-mobile. All you have to do is buy one of those prepaid cards.

Rebeca

Nope, no internet access!! :( I asked when I bought my coffee there the weekend before last. I'm bummed since I bought a cheap laptop to use while I am up there

Kelly

1) Cheetoes1: Possible there was a problem with the internet that day at Starbucks?
2) I get to PVSP at about 8:45am. I wait for the officer to come out to give us a number. They no longer let us go in when we arrive. They change monthly on how they do things. I hope they find the answer soon.
Anyway... Even arriving at this time and getting a number, the processing has been faster since January. They seem to be more thorough but somehow everything is going faster. I get in by 10:45am, even with a 217! I don't understand it and feel thankful for it. My husband is also close-A.
The fact that we need to visit is sad but a part of our lives. The damage is done. Our men are there and we are outside. BUT...I have noticed that when we, the visitors, are open, smiling, and friendly, they (the staff) also respond the same AND the processing goes quicker! -C

ixggod,

No, I went into Starbucks and asked if they had internet access and they said,"No" I told them they had to be the only Starbucks in Cali without it!! :( Even the Starbucks in Buttonwillow ( the next exit after Hwy 58) has it!! Oh well......

KellyA.