Can An Inmate Of One Federal Prison Send Mail To An Inmate Of Another Federal Prison Without Some Kind Of Special Permission?
I Am Surrendering And I Am Concerned About Weather Or Not I Can Take My Bible Or If I Can At Least Have It Sent In.. Reason Being Because It Is A Ryrie Study Bible , But It Is Also Leather Bonded Cover On It. Just Like Any Other Leather Covered Bible But It Is Very Expensive Because It Is A Very Good Study Bible..
Thank You
D-2

As long as your Bible has a soft cover it should be acceptable. They may try to talk you out of it (they did me) but just insist that you want YOUR Bible.

You will not be able to write another inmate without permission from the Wardens of both institutions. All inmate to inmate mail is dropped in the outgoing mail unsealed.

ok thank you susanT. IT IS A SOFT COVER BIBLE..IN MY OPINION, NO MAN "IN GOOD COINSCIENCE" COULD ARGUE WITH SOMEONE OVER KEEPING HIS BIBLE. LOL!!! AT LEAST I COULDN'T EVEN IF I WORKED FOR B.O.P.
I TALKED TO THE MARSHALS YESTERDAY AND THEY SAID THAT IF BOP DID NOT DESIGNATE ME CLOSE TO HOME I WOULD HAVE TO SURRENDER TO THE COUNTY JAIL. BECAUSE THE AUSA MIGHT NEED ME TO TESTIFY REAL SOON.. THAT SUCKS!!! THAT KINDA BLOWS MY SS OUT OF THE WATER... SO JUST IN CASE I AM GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION--

CAN I TAKE ANYTHING AT ALL IF I DO HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE.
MAINLY I MEAN MY WEDDING BAND, GLASSES, AND BIBLE?????

Depends on the prison. The best way to get info. on what you're allowed to take in is to call the prison direct before you go. My b/f surrendered to a Fed. prison and could only take in reading glasses, addresses, and the clothes he was wearing. They didn't allow him to take in his jacket, cigarettes, watch, and they took his shoes off him and handed him a pair of slippers:( . He needed a whole lot of money in his account for things like paper, pens, toiletries, envelopes, stamps, running shoes, (although it ends up they were basketball shoes,,, lol), running pants, a phone account, (they can't make collect calls there), and for something close to decent food. And when they're on lockdown which has been alot, things double in price. I had a Bible sent to him, and have also had several other new and used books, magazines, (ordered from a publisher), and newspapers, (also ordered from a publisher), sent to him. Thing is, they are very strict where he is. I've had a number of books that I ordered through Amazon returned to the seller because the company name on the package didn't include the word/s 'book' or 'publisher', and therefore were not recognized as being directly from a bookstore or from a publisher. So I always check with the seller that the company name that's on the package includes one of those words.:thumbsup: Orders that are sent from the 'Amazon' store itself are fine. I know it's a hassle, but it's better than wasting time, money, and effort. Hope that helps some. Blessings to you and I pray that God's peace and strength will sustain you. :)
Spark.

I don't know. I'm sure they can't deny your prescription glasses but I'm not sure. I'd certainly take them and if they refuse you could give them to your wife to send you once you're at your designation.

Why don't you request an extension through your attorney so you will still be at home when you need to testify and then you'lll still be able to self-surrender. In your case, the AUSA would have no objection.

susanT'
THATS WHAT I REALY WOULD LIKE TO DO. BUT IN MY CASE I WILL ONLY HAVE TO DO THAT IF MY DESIGNATION IS NOT THE CLOSE RECOMENDATION THAT THE JUDGE MADE.. AND MY OTHER PROBLEM IS I ASSUMED THAT I WOULD ACTUALY HAVE TO HAVE A SS DATE BEFORE I COULD GET IT EXTENDED.. I JUST ASSUMED IT WOULD BE SOON BECAUSE MY NAME POPPED UP ON THE LOCATOR A COUPLE DAYS AGO..BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW I'LL BE OUT LONG ENOUGH ANYWAY.. BUT I AM NOT COUNTING ON THAT.. D2

Just read your next post,,, a wedding band is fine. I guess the reason they may not allow you to take in the Bible is because if there is markings in it, they could think it to be some kind of secret code. Also, there may be limits on the number of photos that can be sent to you at a time, plus they can only be the stardard size.

Spark, he's talking about temporary placement in a county jail prior to going to prison.

Dread2, I am sure about the glasses but not the Bible & ring. Techie recentley got an extension for several weeks just for personal reasons (she self-surrendered this week). The extension criteria is something to ask your attorney about since he would have to file for it.

Not self-surrendering is going to have an adverse affect on your security level so it's important that you are not penalized for helping the government.

A religious medallion is also listed as being ok, but they wouldn't let my son keep his......it was sent back home. They told him he could "buy" one at the commissary! (it was a cheap one.....under $90.00)
As for books and mags.; no, but he did receive a Bible and "The Purpose Driven Life" from Barnes and Noble. I had mailed him 2 Guidepost mags and received them back yesterday. I thought those would be ok, since I had mailed quite a few to Alders..? can't remember the camp (Martha Stewart was there) and had no trouble. I had met a woman on here and wrote her several times (but not enough). <She's out now, I need to get in touch with her, don't I>:)

ok thank you susanT. IT IS A SOFT COVER BIBLE..IN MY OPINION, NO MAN "IN GOOD COINSCIENCE" COULD ARGUE WITH SOMEONE OVER KEEPING HIS BIBLE. LOL!!! AT LEAST I COULDN'T EVEN IF I WORKED FOR B.O.P.
I TALKED TO THE MARSHALS YESTERDAY AND THEY SAID THAT IF BOP DID NOT DESIGNATE ME CLOSE TO HOME I WOULD HAVE TO SURRENDER TO THE COUNTY JAIL. BECAUSE THE AUSA MIGHT NEED ME TO TESTIFY REAL SOON.. THAT SUCKS!!! THAT KINDA BLOWS MY SS OUT OF THE WATER... SO JUST IN CASE I AM GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION--

CAN I TAKE ANYTHING AT ALL IF I DO HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE.
MAINLY I MEAN MY WEDDING BAND, GLASSES, AND BIBLE?????
MEMBERS, PLEASE READ THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU ANSWER IT.

DREAD 2 IS ASKING WHAT HE CAN TAKE TO A COUNTY JAIL PRIOR TO

GOING TO HIS DESIGNATED FACILITY.

not only the county jail because i can probably find that out.. but more so i mean con-air. because if i have to go surrender to the jail (if i don't have time for an extention) i just assume i will be going to prison via marshals.

Dread,

I'll research that one for you and find out what the CURRENT rules are.

SusanT

THANK YOU SO MUCH susanT,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD ALL DO WITHOUT YOU AND THE OTHER MODERATORS..

You're welcome. I also researching to ensure you don't lose the points on your security classification for self-surrender, since you are voluntarily surrendering to the Marshalls, if not the Federal faciltity.

oh thank you again,
losing my points is what has realy got me down in the dumps all night. i'm not sure how its working out.. i dont know if they are going to first wait and see if i am being designated close to home first or if he has just decided to detain me. i mean the judge granted me a self-surrender. that should stand for something. i mean he should at least wait until bop gives a ss date before he detains me. like i said its only 2-3 weeks before he needs me to testify and my name just showed up on the locator.. heres the jest of it all - i am 99% sure i won't be testifying at all . hes just wanting me around till after a certain person pleas out.. and i know for a fact that they are going to.. its a mess!!! anyway thank you susan!!!
D2

Did some research and the current policy with the BOP and US Marshal Service is you can have your wedding ring upon entering their custory and you must be wearing it on your hand. However, it must be a plain metal ring with no stones. You can have one pair of prescription eye glasses, although they make a determination on a carrying case (if it can be examined without having to open or damage it. If not, they will reject it). If you cannot bring your Bible with you, it can easily be sent in to your designated institution by your church or minister/priest. I had my personal Bible sent in that way and the unit management at the FCI had no problem with it.

County jails are a different story altogether. It seems every county sheriff has a different set of rules.

susanT,
I'M STILL INTERESTED TO HEAR WHAT YOUR RESEARCH FOUND OUT BECAUSE I DON'T REALY TRUST ANY AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.. BUT THE MARSHALS TOLD ME THIS MORNING THAT THEY ARE STILL WAITING ON BOP TO DESIGNATE ME AND GIVE A DATE. BUT IF IT ISN'T THE RECOMENDED PRISON WHICH IS CLOSE OR ANOTHER VERY CLOSE PRISON. I WOULD BE SURRENDERING TO THE COUNTY(MARSHALS). NOW THAT STILL DOESN'T REALY ANSWER MY QUESTION "IS THAT STILL CONSIDERED SELF-SURRENDER TO BOP"?? ACCORDING TO THE MARSHAL IT DOES BECAUSE I AM ON BOND.. BUT SHE WAS JUST ASSUMING IT WHICH IS NOT VERY REASSURING TO ME. MAYBE SINCE BOP IS STILL DESIGNATING ME IT STILL COUNTS AS SS AS FAR AS CONSIDERING MY SECURITY LEVEL.. I DON'T KNOW????

D-2

Dread2,

I heard back from my resource. Here are the answers you can "take to the bank".

Quick question regarding following scenario:

Someone who was given the privilege of self-surrender has not yet received his designation but in a phone call to the Marshall’s was told that because the AUSA may need him to testify soon, IF his designation is too far away, he may have to surrender to the Marshall’s and stay in the county jail.

Will he be able to take his prescription glasses, wedding band and Bible into the county jail?

Unfortunately the answer is dependent upon the particular jail. I have had clients go to county facilities that were less restrictive than the BOP and others go to those that were more restrictive than the BOP.


Will he be able to take those 3 items on con-air or other Federal transportation?

Con air will NOT allow those items. They would be confiscated (if the jail was doing its job they would take them away the day before) prior to his "flight".


Would he still be considered a "voluntary surrender" if he gets to his designated Federal facility via the Marshall’s?

It doesn't matter as BOP policy has changed and this would not effect his designation but the answer is yes. So long as a person arrives at their INITIAL facility O.R. then they are considered a voluntary surrender.

In a case like this I would try to get the attorney to file a motion to extend the date to self surrender. If the AUSA is going to use the person for 5K1.1 or Rule 35(b) type stuff then they (the AUSA) should join in the motion or, at a minimum, not oppose it.


Why don't you go ahead and get the extension process going? Keep us posted.


SusanT

I Have Got My Attorney Awear Of The Problem And He Is On Hold. The Prblem With Getting The Extention In My Case Is There Can't Realy Be A Motion Filed For An Extention From A Date That Is Non-existent. So First I Need To Get The Ss Date And Then I Can File The Motion. Thank You For All Your Help...

D-2

The good news is that you can have the paperwork ready to be signed by the judge the very day you get word AND that you are pretty much assured the judge will sign it and the AUSA will not have any objections. It doesn't get any better than that.

Even Better Than That. They Seem To Have A System In My District To Where They Do These Things E-mail Somehow.. I Realy Don't Know How That Is Possible Because Of Signatures And All.. But They Do It Somehow.. Has Anyone Ever Heard Of That???