I've seen a variety of opinions about Rikers on this site...most people seem to agree that the experience is unpleasant, but it seems that the visit and process for quite a few people hasn't been so bad. Unfortunately, I'm about to find out for myself. I'm going to visit my boyfriend at The Beacon on Rikers. I haven't noticed anyone post about it here, but it seems that each house has it's own "flava" for lack of a better word. Anyway, has anyone had any experiences at Beacon? You have any advice for me since I'm already anxious and the visit's not til Sunday?

Thanks in advance.

So, it turns out my boyfriend is at GRVC...I'm not sure why he called it The Beacon...maybe that's the old name or something, but at least I finally found some info about where he's at cause I wasn't having any luck with "The Beacon."

Well my man is also at rikers and the Beacon is notorious. One of the worse houses on Rikers Island.

Have you been to visit him? If so, what's your experience been of visiting that unit?

Hi BabyCuz, my husband was at the Beacon when he was at Rikers... Any questions you have I can help you. It is supposedly the worst building in Rikers... My husband liked it better than ARDC where he went before he got sent upstate. Oh, GRVC is also known as the Beacon.

The visiting process is ok as long as you mind your business and don't give the COs a hard time. Ms. Davis seems like a bitch at first but she's ok. Ms. McGee is really cool. She's nice. Ortiz was the one who used to check your stuff when you first enter the building.

As long as your man isn't in any gangs and keeps to himself and gets along with everyone, then there shouldn't be a problems... It's hard because you have to show respect but at the same time make people respect you. It's stressful because you have to watch your back at all times and the atmosphere sucks. It's going to be hard on him so be really supportive and the more visits he gets the more time he has to get his mind off of things. I used to go twice a week (because I couldn't go on Fridays because of work)

Also, there's 3 phones and they usually run the same way in the majority of the houses... There's a blood phone, a spanish phone and a black phone. It's so stupid, I know, but that's the way it is there usually, especially at night. At night there are slot times...

It's known as the worst facility but I don't think it is really as bad as they say as long as you're not a trouble maker.

My husband was in 3B... What house is your man in? My husband said he'll tell you how his house is.

Let me know if you have any questions... I'd be glad to answer them. :)

I just wanted to post about my experience to GRVC aka The Beacon. I went to visit today and I must say that it wasn't as bad as I imagined. I guess not knowing what to expect is the worst part. The most annoying part of the whole day was the waiting, but you have to expect that. The CO's were hella cool. I don't know if that was because there weren't a whole lotta people or because it was Sunday. Whatever the reason I was thankful. I did almost have a coronary when they swiped my id and it tested positive for narcotics. Luckily when they swiped it a second time it was clean. I'd never seen that test done before and it really doesn't make sense to me. I don't use drugs, never have and don't affiliate with anyone who does, but that's not to say that my id hasn't come into contact with someone who does. We have to show our id's for a variety of things in this day and age of "terrorism", not to mention that we come into contact with all types of things even exchanging money (that's why you see a lot of cashiers working with gloves on.) Anyway, it's apparently a new part of their search and if the id comes up positive twice (like if mine had tested positive the second time he swiped it) I wouldn't have gotten a contact visit. And to travel all that way and not be able to hug or kiss my man wouldn't have been a good look at all!

While the visit process was decent, he says that it's ridiculous in his house. It's essentially run by a gang and the space is limited so people's tempers flare up. As long as he doesn't get caught up, I really can't be concerned with all of that, though.

Anyway, that's my two cents on The Beacon.

Well i'm glad you had a good visit. Riker's Island on a whole is out of control. I am so afraid for my hunny. He can handle himself but with all these gangs running things how can anyone really be safe. I do a lot of praying, cause something has to change in that place