I am a letter friend (soon to visit for the first time) with a woman DR inmate in Chowchilla. We met through the Compassionate Correspondance program through our church. We are both in our 40s and its almost like we are sisters now. Any information about Chowchilla's DR for Women, would be really nice to have. How do they live, what do they do? Anyone else here writing to one of these ladies? What do you write that is helpful for your inmate? Although her "date" has not been set, she has been there for 20 years, so I know it can't be far off. I am finding myself feeling anxious that someday I may have to wake up and know this is the day she dies. :( But my heart won't let me stop writing because she has no other pen friends and besides, it just feels like the right thing to do. Anyway, anything anyone can add to help and inform would be really appreciated.

Welcome to PTO! Here is a link to Chowchilla prison guide there is a lot of info there that will help answer some of your questions. Best wishes! :)

CCWF Guide (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222877)

That's great information and I appreciate it. However, it doesn't tell me if any of those points of information are different for Death Row inmates. (Sigh) It would be really nice if someone who has been there can tell me what it was like for them.

Welcome to PTO! Here is a link to Chowchilla prison guide there is a lot of info there that will help answer some of your questions. Best wishes! :)

CCWF Guide (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222877)
My mother just went to Chowchilla on Thursday. Thank you very much for this information. Having a mother in the pen is all so very new to me. Thank you to the PTO Family for helping me to get through her three year fight, as well as her departure to the pen. I'm here if anyone needs me.