I am making plans to visit my father in Cumberland FCI for the first time. I have read all the visiting info at the BOP site but am still very nervous about the whole experience. Do I need to get there early? What are the visiting areas like?

Thanks in advance for any advice (this is my first post :) )

Of course you're nervous. If visiting hours begin at 9, try to be there at 8. I'm not familiar with that facility but I'm sure someone here is.

Welcome to PTO. We're here for you 24/7.

No experience with Cumberland but in general....

Most, if not all, have count times on the weekend between the hours of 9 and 10ish. During this time...there is no movement. So if you are intending on staying the entire day, I would suggest you go early, 8 is often the start time to process even though it starts off slowly. Or at 10 after count gets cleared.

They do have vending machines, not always good choices, but enough to get by. Each location varies...so without knowing Cumberland it's hard to say. If you have never been in a prison before, you may have anxiety. Once you get there and comfortable, start catching up on all these years....it will be last call, :D , I mean 5 to 10 minutes before visiting hours are over!

I hope you have a good visit and a safe trip whenever you travel! Please do let us know how things go!

They do have vending machines, not always good choices, but enough to get by. Each location varies...so without knowing Cumberland it's hard to say. If you have never been in a prison before, you may have anxiety.

I have never been in a prison before and have GREAT anxiety. No detail is too small, I need to know what to expect. Thanks!

Trying to think of general info that can be shared that is pretty much simular across the board.

When you go, once inside the building you will have to fill out a paper stated who you are there to visit. It will ask a series of questions as what you may have on you. All the answers should be no...thats what they want to see.

You usually will have a seat and wait to be called up after you have handed in your paper. They will send you thorugh a metal detector, some locations use an ion detector so you may be scanned (vacuumed, lol) for drug residue. Just be sure not to handle money prior to going. They will stamp your hand to show you have been processed and you have to show this several times at most locations, including on the way out.

You should place money you are taking in a ziplock baggie if placing in your pockets so you will not have to handle it directly. If you prefer not to use your pockets as I do, you will want to get a 'small clear makeup bag'.

People are often very friendly and helpful. If you have questions along the way, do not hestitate to ask others visiting. I've found most times..they are willing to help you out if they are regulars.

Once processed and cleared....they usually take a group at a time back into the actual visiting rooms. This is when it hits you that you are infact in a prison. You will have to go through a salley port type of thing, enter-door must close before other side opens. You will usually see that now, you are behind the fences. It's not so bad, its all good!

Visiting rooms vary, both I have been into with the federal system, you can sit right next to the person you are visiting. However, I have heard other places where you sit across. If on the special housing unit, it could be different as well. My experinces have varied a little more...one place, you choose where to sit, the next...they told me where to sit. little differences but it's just a initial thing.

Most likely, you will surely be in the room before he is. So you sit and wait. As long as he is expecting you, it shouldn't be long as long as the BOP employees do there thing. I've never had to wait very long. You will notice a door everyone seems to watch...and you may even notice other prisoners entering. When you see your dad come out...relax! He has to walk straight to the visiting desk and turn in his ID, then he can come over and greet you!

From then on until you leave, you can get up and use the vending machines, he can request pictures to be taken if he has tickets but for the most part...you remain seated. There are restrooms available and some locations allow outside areas. There is usually a room for the kids that sometimes have decks of cards or board games to be used, just something extra...

I can imagine you having some serious anxiety, but really...when you come back to share your experience if you do, you'll most likely agree it wasn't at all what you worried about!

On my last visit...vending machines empty out FAST. But just to give you an idea, they had soda machines that included bottled water. Snack machine with cupcakes, candy bars and rice krispy treats and a sandwich machine that had some options as cheeseburger, BBQ chicken wings, BBQ Rib sandwich, sausage sandwich, burritos, yogurt cups, milk and chocolate milk to name a few. The normal stuff you find in those machines only it's hardly ever stocked fully! There is also a microwave in the area to heat the food.

Thank you SO much!!!