I just thought it's about time that we had a specific thread for Coleman. I know that PTO was a tremendous asset for me and that I met other members there who felt the same way. I would be more than happy to give out any information to anyway headed Coleman way. I'll try to give as much information as possible or you can feel free to PM me.

Entering Coleman:

I was able to "self-surrender" and I would tell anyone to do that if they are allowed to. I think I was most concerned about the strip-search as I had never been in anyway involved with law enforcement before this. My fears GREATLY exceeded the actual event. When my husband and I first got there, we went into the entrance and we were greeted by Ms. Carroll (the officer over Receiving and Discharge). She couldn't have been nicer. It was still very difficult for my husband to leave me there. She took me into an inner office and we did some paperwork. She let me know that I already had some mail which made me feel better. I had sent myself some pictures, addresses and a couple of books.

Then came the "STRIP SEARCH". All it consisted of was going into a small room where she had me change out pieces of my clothing for institutional clothing. She made it as unintimidating as possible. I had worn old clothes and flip-flop shoes that I donated. I didn't want my husband to have to go through the pain of having them returned home.

After that a counselor came and did a very brief intake and then medical gave me a TB test. Then back to Ms. Carroll who called for a Big Sister from F4 (the housing unit I was assigned to). The Big Sister came. I was given a bed assignment and a package containing sheets, pillow, nightgown, blankets. The Big Sister (who was exceptionally nice) took me out into the compound. Here was another part I was dreading. I was hoping to go out quietly with no one noticing. That's not how it happens. They dress you out in an ugly beige uniform that stands out from all the other uniforms. When you leave R&D you go out directly onto the compound where, in my case, about 40 women were waiting for commissary. I felt light a deer caught in the headlights.

The good news is that everyone was exceptionally friendly. They came up and introduced themselves and welcomed me. In fact, I had a sort of welcoming committee from former PTO members. My Big Sister was amazed that I already knew people.

She then took me up to my unit, helped me make my bed and showed me around. I was given a "gift bag" from the other ladies in the unit. It had a new toothbrush, toothbrush holder, toothpaste, combs, powder, lotion, shampoo, cream rinse, showercap, showershoes, deodorant and a couple of other things I can't remember. The ladies there purchase these items themselves from the commissary to make things better for the new people.

My Big Sister then took me around the compound to show me where everything was and also to get measured for my uniforms and shoes. They were to be picked up the next day. When I arrived at Coleman, it was in July and unbelievably hot so some of the ladies lent me some shorts, and a t-shirt until I could get my own.

At 4:00 that day, we returned back to our unit and had my first official stand-up count which was intimidating because I wasn't expecting it. At count, everyone stands outside their cubicle quietly and waits for the correction officers to come through and do a "count". If the count is right, the COfficers say that it's all clear and then normally, you're free to move around the unit. Well, my first day, everyone began banging loudly on their lockers at the "All clear". It scared me to death until my bunkie told me that one of the ladies was leaving the next morning and that they always did that as a celebration of her last standing count.

This is longer and more detailed that anyone probably wanted so I'll stop now but I just wanted to get the "COLEMAN" line started

Francesca
Hopefully I will be headed to Coleman. My sentencing date in December 14th. My attorney will be requesting Coleman since it is closer to my daughter.
Yous post is excellent. At least I know that when I get there it will not be so scary.
I have read here that at Coleman they have a program with dogs. What does it take to qualify? In your opinion what would be a good job? What do they supply you with? I have also read that you can wear contact leneses. How do I get mine replaced, they are the disposable type. Can my family mail me more?
I have so many questions and I am so scared that I could keep going on and on so I better stop.
Thanks again
Chary

Great post........

I did 27 mos at fairton camp and the experiance was very simalar the first day, the only big differance is it does not have cubicals just one big dorm

Francesca48,

How long before you get a uniform that fits in with everyone else? What did they have you doing your first couple of days there? How long before you got a job and what type of job did you have? What classes did you you take or would you recommend there?

What was the hardest part aside from being away from your family?

What do you do if you get sick while there?

Did you shop at the commissary your first day there?

How long before your family got to visit? Your first call, etc?

Thanks for starting this thread!

JJ

My sister is surrendering to Coleman on the 5th of January. How long does it usually take until she is allowed her first visitation. How does the visitation process go. I was wondering as our mother is almost 83 and just want to be prepared ahead of time if it involves alot of standing and waiting to get in. How many visitors is she allowed each time. Any info will be appreciated. Thank you.

Welcome to PTO littledebbie724.

It usually takes about two weeks to get approved for a visit. Your sister will send you visitor forms which you will fill out and send to her counselor. Your sister will be told when you are approved.

The visiting process is very easy. You go into the lobby and fill out a form with the inmates name and register number, your address, type of car and tag number. You give the form and your ID to the visiting officer and are processed in. If there should be a delay, there is a very comfortable sofa in the lobby for your mother to sit on.

I believe the limit on visitors is five adults. Children over fifteen are also required to have a picture ID.

Take small bills and coins in a clear purse or sandwich bag for the vending machines.

I hope this helps. All the visitation rules are on the BOP website.

Thank you for this thread. I was sentenced to 15 months and have requested Coleman. This site has been a blessing as I have so many questions and like everyone else scared to death.

I have the same questions as Joejoe and I'm sure as the days go by many more. I have to self surrender in February and I would appreciate any info I can get.

Thank you

My daughter has been sentenced to Coleman for 1 year. She will be enterring in March. I've learned so much from these posts. We have never been in trouble with the law so we are new at this. She fell in love with the wrong guy that promised her the roses. She committed health fraud for him by putting the company in her name, since he didn't have any credit. Mind you she is a teacher with a Master's Degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Technology. The judge told her yesterday, that because of her upbringing (christian family with high values) and a graduate) she should have known better. He's right!!! I hope she learns who lessons, but hope that something good come out of this.

She's very busy trying to see what she does with her apt., dog, car, etc., so I'm trying to find out as much as I can to assist her in her transition. She is devasted because she will lose her license to teach and probably everything she has worked so hard to accomplish. She didn't benefit from the fraud and is in debt. The rest is too long too exlain.
Any suggestions, as what she should do until March 2 to prepare? Anyone there she should seek out to get proper clothes? Can she send money ahead to buy clothes or whatever?

She's a sweet girl that loves teaching? How can her talents be put to use?

Any career opportunities there? Also, how is Coleman?

I was at Coleman during the same time as Francesca and experienced about the same things that she did. I was in another unit same configuration and rules. I will be here for anyone who needs information as well about Coleman. About the question regarding contacts. I brought 6 months supply of contacts in with me. I forgot the solution, so remember to bring it along too. There is an optomitrist who comes in on a regular bases. I didn't see him but the " bunkie" in the next cubicle did and she wore contacts. Great to have a thread for Coleman.

What type of educational opportunities are available at Coleman?
What jobs can one pick from?

mgarcia59
I am sorry you and your family are having to go through this, but glad you have found PTO to help. Take a little time and do an advance search on Coleman using only the federal forum and you will find a wealth of information. The self surrender forum has some excellent post on what to expect and sending money and pictures before surrender. Any specific questions you can post in the forums as a new post. We at PTO are here for you and your daughter during the time up till surrender and after also.

The education opportunities vary. Many are taught by inmates. Spanish I / II seemed to be one that was available, accounting, craft skills, GED classes, different exercise programs. When you get there go to the Eduction Dept. and see what is available. Depending on your age physical ability etc..and lenghth of sentence there are many jobs to be had. In fact you MUST work to stay at Coleman. Coleman is a working camp and they do all of the landscaping, plumbing, air conditioning, electircal work for the 4 prisons that are there. There is UNICOR which pays a bit more and is wharehousing. Many jobs in the kitchen and the upkeep of the coompound too. There are orderlies for all units. You can keep as busy as you choose. Oh, yes there is a Canine training Program. If you are a qualified teacher, you can teach through the Education department. Hope this helps Mgarcia59

My wife is Coleman now. If I can help please contact me.
I am still learning.

My best friend is at Coleman since last year. There is a new warden there, I don't know if male or female. Says things are "too soft" on them. Some things have been taken away, yoga mats and steps for aerobics from the dorms and some books from the library, for starters. My friend said the furloughs had been changed from 7 days to 5, and the women who had furloughs scheduled to see their kids graduate all had been cancelled by the new warden. Some furloughs are still being given, just for shorter periods of time. She says there are lots of jobs, but beware the ones that you might get hurt cuz medical doesn't always know a serious injury. (She said she heard a woman worked in plumbing a few years ago and twisted her ankle. They wrapped it and sent her on her way in alot of pain. She took what she could for the pain and revisited medical, who told her it was a severe sprain. Turns out the woman had broken a bone in her foot and now walks with a permanent limp cuz it wasn't set, just wrapped.) When you visit, make sure you bring $ for sodas, coffee, juice and fresh fruit etc... about $30 in fives and (mostly) singles, as everything is at least $1.00; I'm not sure about the candy bars tho, cuz we didn't get any. Sometimes the bill changing machine runs out, you end up with $5 in quarters. They don't get fresh fruit very often cuz the men (located on the same property but down the road) tried to make alcoholic beverages with citrus awhile back; I don't know how successful they were, but the prison watches friut closely and the women don't get much of it. When I was there, a fresh fruit dish from the machine was $3.50, and I bought her 2. She ate every bite of it. It had watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple chunks, and a few blueberries and 1 strawberry in it. She said they get bananas sometimes. There are sandwiches and popcorn and a variety of other things to buy in the snack machines. There are microwaves too. I'm sure they change the foods available from time to time. Pictures have to be paid for in advance by the inmate, the photographer is an inmate also and cannot accept your $ to take a picture. If you wanna surprise your inmate, be advised, you probably won't be able to get a picture taken. There is a big dining-room type visiting area, and it gets loud with children visiting and all the usual chatter, so we usually sit in a screened-in room outdoors. (Yeah, no bugs.) There is almost no sitting while waiting to be called in for your visit, there is the small couch mentioned already, and a few other chairs, but that's all. Once sitting, most people won't give up the couch, so If you are older and NEED to sit, hopefully asking to share the seat wouldn't get someone rialed up. Be sure to leave your purses and other things in your car. You can only take your keys, MUST have your ID, and $. (Ziplock bag might be helpful). (Don't think you can get away with trying to sneak them something, they are patted down before they enter the visit room and the desk clerk inventories everything the inmate has on. (They can't have "stuff", meaning whatever it is you want to leave with them, so why risk losing your visiting priveledges and risk getting your loved one in trouble? Just DON'T do it.) The "rush hour" is early, so I usually arrive around 10:30 or 11 so I don't have to wait too long, but the room is crowded by then. There is a small room for use by people with small children, with lots of children's books (looks very nice) and a chalkboard, but it was closed when I was there. There is a walking track, and they used to be able to have a garden, I think the new warden did away with that. They have yoga, aerobics, computers, GED, meditation, hotel/restaurant management and a variety of other classes. They have had line-dancing class, something enjoyable and fun; plus a calorie burner for those trying to watch their weight. Last year, they put on a talent show and had a Mexican show/dance. They have a TV room and watch movies, they recently saw "Flicka", I think all the movies are PG rated or something similar. They also have email priveledges, the last I heard, there are only 3 prisons in the entire US that let the inmates use emails. They have NO internet access and you have to be approved to be on their email list, same as for outgoing calls and visiting. You are NOT allowed to foreward their emails to people not on their approved list, if they ask you to, they get in trouble. Incoming and outgoing messages are screened before the inmate or you get them; delay is about 2-3 hours. She has sent what I call "group letters"; to me and her family and another friend all at the same time; we are all on her list and it saves her $ sending a group letter. The email $ comes out of their account, so I send her some $ so she doesn't have to pay for my emails to her. I think it's 5c/min for emails, incomong or outgoing...cost-cutting depends on how fast they can read and type. My friend and I emailed back and forth about American Idol this spring, and she says she watches Desperate Housewives and Hell's Kitchen. It doesn't sound too bad as what I expected for her. She just keeps busy working and then fills her time with classes and activities and reads in her spare time. Sometmes I joke with her that she does more in one day than I do and she makes me tired just thinking about it!! Sorry to jump from topic to topic. I hope some of this info has been helpful to someone out there. Buggy

Actually your posting helped our family members a lot. We received a phone call that stating, He has missed reporting to Coleman yesterday. Right before he surrendered to Federal Court House later on today, I was able to read your post and informed him for positive things that he could expect.
I don't know that which prison he will be held at, as far as security level goes. But I mentioned to all family members who were in the car, actually giving then a little ease. I thank you so much Buggy and others who posted in this thread. I may be able to post something in the future when I gain a contact with my husband.

I came home from Coleman Camp this past January. I was there for 3 years. If I can help an anyway please send me a message. I can remember before I self surrendered how scared I was. It was not nearly as bad as I thougt it would have been.

Take care and be strong..Its amazing what we can get through..

Jen

I will self-surrender to Coleman Camp this month. I am very anxious about the visitation process. I would like to see my family as soon as I get there, but I hear the process takes at least 2 weeks. Is there anything I can do before I get there to speed up the process or anything you can suggest I do as soon as I get there? I have a million questions as you can imagine and I will be there for over twice the time you were there. Are ther any ladies that are serving long sentences in coleman?
I appreciate your help.
Tristeza

This for sure is a scary time. I'm glad to hear that you have support from your family. Some inmates don't have that.

If your family is listed on your PSR, they can visit the weekend after you surrender. They have 30 days to have their visitor list approved. You probably need to take a list of their addresses with you when you surrender.

There are for sure ladies there who are serving long sentences. There are a mix of sentences from a few months to over 10 years.

Any questions you have just post or PM me.

Thanks for your reply.
My immideate family was listed in the PSR, including my children, so I hope they can see me the next day.
Do you know if there is a limit as to the number of visitors I want to include in the list? is there a limit in the number of people I want to call or e-mail?
I saw in one of the postings that the commisary sells earings, chain and cross, watches, radios.....can I bring my own of each? or do you have to wear what they sell there?
thanks again.

They do sell those things on commisary. You have to special order the chain from the chapel. You might try and wear a simple chain and cross and perhaps earings (no stones). They might let you bring it in. Ms Carrol works R&D and she is a pretty nice lady.

I know quite a few woman there who could direct you when you get there. If you think of anything please PM me. I know when I went thru this I had tons of questions.

Just stay strong! It's amazing what we can get through.

does anyone for sure why coleman is on lock down?......and why everyone is being punished for what ever happened?:confused:

If you have a loved one there, you can actually call the facility and they will simply tell you if there is LD or not... as for the "treatment", you can forget it... one bad apple spoils the entire barrel, and that's how it is... just be patient and re-read his old letters... and send him some new ones, honey! They may allow him to have them!

does anyone for sure why coleman is on lock down?......and why everyone is being punished for what ever happened?:confused:

Hi everybody Iam new and trying to post a thread fo F.C.I. colemen Medium,I cant seem to find any info on the mens federal.I just found this and thought maybe it would help.My guy is currently in the shu,he been in three :D years and will be out in about nine months.Can someone direct me to the right spot.Thans Iam so happy Ive found this site.

Thanks alot Lamont lover!....please keep me informed if u know anything:)



-BeachChic-

that's what we're here for... you can also visit the BOP website to get the phone number directly... that's what I did for my Lamont, even though he's in Virginia (USP-Lee), but since we're to be married in Feb, he's making enrows for a transfer to Coleman Max... but those guys cut up in there all the time... I almost rather for him to stay in Virginia... but Coleman's much closer to where I am (Miami)...

Beachchic....
Right now, Pen 1 and Pen 2 are on lockdown at Coleman and will remain so until at least January. There was some ugly activity going on there that resulted in the lockdown. Jobs that were normally performed by the trustees (ie cooking, laundry, etc) are now being performed by the women from the work camp. The Medium facility was locked down for a little over a day about 2 weeks ago.

i dont think its horrible at the max (2) facility. i mean, they go pretty good without the lockdowns, but this year, it seems like a lot has been going on, especially with changes going on in the infrastructure. my guy is there, has been for about 2 years i think, and usually, things are settled without so much problems. its the ones that get in trouble constantly that make it bad for everyone, as i know he stays out of it all. but i have been up there a few times, and it doesn't seem awful. the Pen I may be on lockdown a lot longer, but everyone else is fine for now.

Beachchic....
Right now, Pen 1 and Pen 2 are on lockdown at Coleman and will remain so until at least January.

One of the directors of FedCURE spoke to the warden and was told the lockdown may end this week at one of the facilities. So maybe not locked down til January. Z.

the lockdown already ended at the USP 2, on Monday. but apparently the usp ! is still on it. hopefully, for them and those who have loved ones there, it won't last as long as expected. I know I'm glad to have the relief at the 2, because now I won't have to worry about not being able to spend my honey's B-day with him.

the lockdown should be about up and its a bizz to keep then shut up from everyone else they have been down long enough because of stupied inmates or ect, my man has been there a few months and he said its the worst prison he has ever been..Lamont lover is your man out of ld? As far as i no, mine should be getting out soon,i pray.You never no what will happen

-Beach chic!

when will usp1 get out of ld? does anyone no.how a little feed back on this.

when will usp1 get out of ld? does anyone no.how a little feed back on this.

when will usp1 get out of ld? does anyone no.how a little feed back on this.

Tommy is in USP 1 he called my mom Thursday as I was on the computer with dial up..so I missed his all so he called my mom! Told her he is expected to be out about Christmas day...said the wardens letter dated 29 NOV said that in two weeks they would let each unit out 1 unit a day..he said should be about 25th before he gets out..He is in E Unit...there are 12 units...SO Sometime this month but too late for me to go to FL to visit..:(

So glad to find this thread. I am expecting to be sent to Marianna, but I realize it could also be Coleman since they are both somewhat close. Extremely close compared to some places I could be sent. I'm just hoping and praying.

Anyway, just curious, what is the number of women there, and aren't they located near Talahassee?

Thanks bunches!!

Has anyone heard when USP 1 is getting off of lock down? My man is still on lock down and I haven't been able to talk to him. I still don't know if they have even approved me on his visiting list, when I called all they would say is they are still on lock down and they couldn't tell me anything. I live at Sunset Beach for now and Florida is along way from here.If anyone hears anything please let me know.

the 2 is back on lockdown, with no clues of how long this time. this is a major blow, as i was planning on spending a birthday up that way on the 28th, and it actually looks like they wont be out by then.

So glad to find this thread. I am expecting to be sent to Marianna, but I realize it could also be Coleman since they are both somewhat close. Extremely close compared to some places I could be sent. I'm just hoping and praying.

Anyway, just curious, what is the number of women there, and aren't they located near Talahassee?

Thanks bunches!!

Coleman is actually quite a distance from Talahassee! (Probably 6-7 hour drive time?!?) It is actually closer to the "middle" of the state, south of Ocala. Right now there are about 490 women in the camp there.

FLRebel, thank you so much!

I was at Coleman Camp from June 2000-October 2000. Can't remember unit #-Before that was FCI Tallahassee. Lived in F Unit DAP, and B Unit from August 98-June 2000.
Compared to Tallahassee-Coleman was a Hilton. It was still prison, same old BS and moron wardens trying to find ways to make you "suffer more" by taking away your whatever (as if you were not suffering enough-oh and they do hire the "best" and "brightest" to watch over you-just kidding). Yet Coleman Camp for women still had a peaceful sense to it, and great sunsets.