I've longed to visit my baby, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have to visit with him and if I'll be allowed to visit more than one day. Can anyone explain this to me? Does it make a difference if your travel time is more than 20 hours?:confused:

Unfortunately they don't look at the distance traveled too much. I've seen them turn away a family that flew in from all the way across the states to see someone, it was sad! You are allowed I think 12 points of visiting per month. If I'm not mistaken, each full day is considered 2 points, (Saturday and Sunday) and Fridays are considered 1 point. I recommend you either getting with your man or calling the prison directly to make sure that is correct (it's been a while since I looked into it). The prison's number is (304) 379-5000. It says to push one if the call is in regards to visiting, but that just sends you to an automated message letting you know if this weeks visits are as scheduled or not, you'll need to press 0 and talk to someone about it. Visiting hours on Saturdays and Sundays, and federal holidays, are from 8am to 3pm. It takes a little time to process you in, depending on how busy it is, but you can usually stay on the visit all day if you want. (If it gets PACKED they will start sending people out, but I've been fortunate enough to never see them have to do that.)

Let me give you some tips too, especially since you're coming 20 hours.

> Get there early! You never know how fast or slow they are going to be, and if they don't get you processed by 10 then you'll be stuck in count, which is usually around an extra hour.

>Underwires in your bra can set the metal detector off. If you can't get through it without setting it off they will turn you away. It's best to know this in advance and not wear anything that has metal in it (I've also seen a few ladies wearing designer jeans with a metal tag on it, they made them change or cut the tag out!)

>Bring baby wipes or hand sanitizing lotion with you. Once you fill out your paperwork wash/wipe your hands and don't touch anything!!!! There is a chance that you will be one of the people picked to have the drug test (ION scanner run across your hands, arms, pants, whatever they decide) if you can't pass this, you won't be getting in, so be careful!!! I've seen them test door knobs and pens that came up positive for drugs, so DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!

> Supposedly you're allowed to bring up to $20 in with you, but it has to be in a clear bag (a regular baggy or even a zippered makeup bag or something, as long as it is clear) I usually suggest taking mostly quarters. You are suppose to be allowed to take in ones and fives as well, but depending on the guard in charge, sometimes they don't let green money in, most of the time they do though. Always have a back up plan! And if it looks like it's going to be croweded I recommend you getting all the food and drinks you think you'll need early! The vending machines tend to empty quick!

OK, now, this is how things usually go when you get there....

They usually won't even let you in before 8am. But once you get in there you'll take a paper and fill it out (memorize your license plate number and car info, they'll ask for it). Once you get that filled out you sign the book at the front desk and turn the paper in with your driver's license. If you need a locker key, ask them for it if they don't offer it, sometimes they forget. Once they take your paperwork you need to go back into the waiting room and wait your turn (unless they're slow and take you right then). Go ahead and put everything in your locker (car keys, purse, whatever you brought in that can't go back with you) and wipe your hands and arms down. Conversate with the other visitors, you can learn a lot from them, and they are a great bunch!

*Just so you know. If it's only adults going in you can only take your clear bag with money/change in and a select few medications (you'll need to talk to the guard and let him know about the medicines and he'll tell you what to do with it) If you have children (and check with the prison rules just in case) you can take in CLEAR bottle/sippy cup, a couple diapers, some baby wipes, there may be more, but I don't really know much about that part).

When the guards call you out to process you they will let you know if you need to do the ION test or not. If you do, they'll take a wand and rub it over your hands, pants, arms, whichever they choose. They'll stick it in a machine that checks for drug particles or whatever then let you know if you passed. Once you pass that walk over to the x-ray machine. Take off your shoes, coat, belt, and anything else that may set if off and put it all in a bucket with your change bag, they run that through the machine. You walk through the metal detector. If it happens to go off you'll need to figure out what it is setting it off and take it off and let them run it through the x-ray machine with your stuff. Once that is all OK'd you get your stuff back and they will stamp your hand. Sometimes you have to wait on some more people to get processed before you get taken back, it just depends.

To get back you'll go through one door and into a room. You'll need to put your hand under the black light so the guard behind the glass can see it. Then you'll walk outside to the next building. First room there is just a waiting place, you wait for one door to close and the next to open. Then you go into the visiting room. Once here you'll need to show them your hand stamp again then they will tell you where to sit. Most of the time you'll be here for a few minutes before your man arrives. When he gets there he has to go to the guard booth and turn in his ID first, then he can come see you. Keep in mind, he's not allowed to go past the row of chairs in front of the vending machines (if it's his first visit he may not know that). Then enjoy the visit!!!

A couple things I forgot to mention. I seriously advice you to always have a backup outfit and shoes in the car. Some guards don't allow open toed shoes, some do. Don't wear anything thing sports related, they won't allow that. Nothing to tight, low cut, revealing. If you're coming that far you don't want to take any chances. If you have an outfit you really want to wear but aren't sure if it will get through, go ahead and wear it. Ask the guard when you first come in if it's ok. If it's not you can always change real quick and it's no big deal, but there's always a chance they'll let it in. I think it depends on their mood. Sometimes they let stuff in that I just can't beleive got in, sometimes they reject the dumbest things!!!

I hope you can visit soon!!! I tried to include just about everything in here (sorry it's so long) but you can always ask if you have more questions. We used to have a HAZELTON group here, but we've moved it to Prisonville.com. We'd love for you to join us there if you like. If you do, just click on FORUM, then CLUBHOUSE, then find HAZELTON. It's not a big group, but we have several ladies that visit pretty often and one guy so far. We are good about keeping each other informed of what's going on there.

I hope I helped.

:) Thanks so much for your reply. I was totally in the dark about how things flow. I'm trying to plan a visit soon. I've heard that it's like in the middle of nowhere. Whatever it takes I want to get there to see him.

Again Thanks so much for your reply. DM's girl :)