can anyone tell me a way to get pictures of my son? He is at Mule Creek & I am in Texas. It has been eight years since he started his sentence. We saw him for a no-contact visit the week he arrived at Mule Creek (that was 18 months after his incarceration). Then about 4 months later we returned for his first appeals hearing and got to have a two-day contact visit. I got my only pictures then & that was Dec 2000. That was the last time I have gotten to hug his neck. In Sept 2004 he had an evidentary hearing in Santa Cruz on our way to trying to get a new trial based on Ineffective Assistance of Counsel & the fact they had him wearing a stun belt during the trial. The guards had him so fearful he was afraid to so much as point at something during the trial. During that 7 day hearing we could only visit him at the county jail and they had no contact visits. I could see him in the courtroom and it was so painful not being able to touch him. The judge said no to a new trial (imagine that!!) and now that decision is being appealed. My husband & I could afford to go for a visit, but my son has asked us not to -- he says its just way to painful to watch us leave when he has to stay behind. It's bad enough that he has also been wrongfully convicted (and that's not just his mama's skewed opinion, there's evidence to prove it) so I wouldn't do anything to make his pain any worse. That six year old picture is all I have so I was wondering if anyone knows if a counselor or maybe his instructor from mill & cabinet would ever take a picture of him. I would be willing to mail them a disposable camera & postage to mail it back to me. Am I just nuts for even considering something so bizarre or has anyone else ever had experience with this?

Inmates take pictures within the institution all the time. One man I'm writing to just sent me 2 pictures of himself. So ask your son to arrange for someone within the institution to take one and send it to you. For that matter, if you contact the chaplain within the institution he would probably make the arrangements. He would certainly know if it can be done and who to do it. Peace and love from Canada

hilltx- welcome again. I know how you feel about wanting a picture of your loved one. I hadn't seen my loved one for 10 years and all I had was a photocopy of a picture he sent me. I finally went to visit him on August 19 and 20. And we had a few family photos taken so we would each have one. He too was also sad to see us leave because he couldn't come home with us. And who knows when I will be able to see him again.
But your son should be able to get a photo taken that he can send to you. If you go to Where the Creek Meet to Greet there is a helpful group of ladies who may know exactly who you can call. There is also a group at yahoo.

My prayers are with you and your family.

Hill Welcome to PTO. I know for sure you can not mail a camera to them to take a picture. But I have heard of other prisons having people come in and take pictures of the inmates...kinda of like picture day at school. I have not heard of this happening at Mule Creek though. But I could be wrong. I am sure that someone who knows a little more will come along soon.

Pleasant Valley had someone come at Christmas time, last year or the year before. I've never heard of Mule Creek doing it either. All I know is in visiting, but if they don't have a visit, I don't know....

In a letter postmarked September 13 my penpal who is at Mule Creek said
"I can have two photos taken at Christmas if it has been more then a year since i've had a visit"
Hope that helps