I know -- I've been the posting queen these passed few days.
PTO has been so helpful! Thank you all!
I was wondering if there's anything I need to be aware up when sending a manilla envelope with a letter, stamped envelopes, and blank-lined paper to Donovan for my honey. Is that all ok??

All of it is fine. They do have a limit as to how much, I believe it is 20 of each.

Well, I suppose I'll see what happens -- I sent an envelope enclosed with a letter for him, 15 blank envelopes w/ stamps on them, & a lined paper notepad with 50 sheets. I had read somewhere that I could send 50. I HOPE this makes it to him.

You should be ok with that. Just know that it takes a while to get mail, so don't worry if it takes a while.

Well, I suppose I'll see what happens -- I sent an envelope enclosed with a letter for him, 15 blank envelopes w/ stamps on them, & a lined paper notepad with 50 sheets. I had read somewhere that I could send 50. I HOPE this makes it to him.

I finally got a letter yesterday from my husband -- He asked for the writing supplies. He still hasn't gotten his big white envelope filled with the stamped envelopes, pad paper, and a letter. I put 2 pictures with the letter. USPS tracked it, and it was delivered on the 10th!
Should I send more?? Maybe 10 SHEETS of paper & envelopes??
Or, do I need to be patient?

Glad you got a letter. If it was just delivered on the 10th, I would give it a few more days and see if he got it. What you can do is send him a letter and add a few sheets and a stamped envelope and let him know that you sent a bigger package with more in it and ask him to let you know if he got it. I have never sent so much to have to send through UPS, so I do not know how long it might take.

I finally got a letter yesterday from my husband -- He asked for the writing supplies. He still hasn't gotten his big white envelope filled with the stamped envelopes, pad paper, and a letter. I put 2 pictures with the letter. USPS tracked it, and it was delivered on the 10th!
Should I send more?? Maybe 10 SHEETS of paper & envelopes??
Or, do I need to be patient?

It got returned AND he still hasn't gotten any of my letter as of 1/17!!! I've sent something EVERY mail-day :(
This is a hard time.
Thank goodness I've gotten 3 of his letters.
I have the name of his counselor now --
Is it ok to send him our marriage license? I have 2 for my records as well.

You should be able to send your marriage certificate. Just don't send the original.

I know a lot of ladies have been complaining about the mail at Donovan. I think I would call the mail room and be very polite, but ask them what is going on.

Have you put in your approval to see him yet? I hope you get approved soon so you can. That makes it a little easier.

As for the package you got back, thank God you did get it back. I would just send a few sheets at a time with your letters. Especially since you write him a lot, then send like 2 or 3 envelopes and paper along with your letters. Make sure in your letters to him you tell him exactly what you are sending so he knows what should be in the letter.

I spoke with the mailroom supervisor. She was actually very friendly and helpful. I found out I can't sent NON-lined paper. It HAS to be lined. So weird. What on earth is wrong with paper that isn't lined?
Hopefully, he'll be getting all my letters soon!
I sent in my visiting application last week, so I'm believing I'll be approved SOON! He was right, this was going to be a challenge.
I miss him terribly. Just hearing his voice.
Thanks, cadustin. You've been such great help.

ecm... I hope you don't have a record! From what I was just told, Donovan is backed up like 3 months on approvals. I hope it does not take that long. I got approved within a month, but it didn't do any good. He was moved right after I got approved and I had to go through another 3 weeks getting approved all over again. Then the antisipation of feeling his arms around me... it was worth the wait!

That is wierd about the paper thing. I wonder why they do that. The only thing I can think of is sending in drugs. I could be totally wrong because this is based solely on what I have heard... but I think people put heroin or something in paper (they soak it in). So, if they were to do that to lined paper, the lines would run. Not 100% on all that, but sounds right.

No record for me. I'm all clean. I just keep thinking, "I'm already approved!" I've got to keep the positive attitude.

Now, the lined paper - That makes sense what you were saying. It's sad actually. Today I sent him some LINED paper.

I wonder if he's going to be transfered? I have no idea. In his last letter he mentioned the name of his counselor & he wanted me to get in touch with him.

You're cute! Call to make an appointment and see if you get the appointment. If they make it, you are approved. Or they will come back and say, you are not approved yet, so you will know. I would call back every week until finally they give you your appointment! :)

Love that paper thing!! :)

How much time does he have left? My husband was only in Donovan for about a month before he got transfered. Like I said, I was told about the approval, was going to see him Saturday, but was told he was transfered on Wednesday. And, because it was to a CCF, I had to get approved to see him all over again, another 3 weeks. Now, I am sending out another one today and PRAY I get to see him this weekend, but I doubt it. It will probably be next weekend!!!!!

No record for me. I'm all clean. I just keep thinking, "I'm already approved!" I've got to keep the positive attitude.

Now, the lined paper - That makes sense what you were saying. It's sad actually. Today I sent him some LINED paper.

I wonder if he's going to be transfered? I have no idea. In his last letter he mentioned the name of his counselor & he wanted me to get in touch with him.

my husband has about 2 1/2 years left. I don't know what is going to happen, or if he'll be transferd up north.
That is such a bummer about you being apporoved, then him being transferd!
How frustrating. It's so hard not being able to see them. I hope you get to soon! We've go to keep positive attitudes. It's such a challenging situation.
Whe nwas the last time you saw him?

I saw him on January 1st. This is the longest since I was approved that I will go without seeing him. Speaking of positive, I have to be thankful that he was moved only 45 minutes from me vs. 3 hours!

I hope yours doesn't go to a CCF, but with 2 1/2 years left, I don't think he will. I got his letter today (he sent it yesterday) with new visiting forms in it, so I filled it out and sent it right back today. So, fingers crossed, if not this weekend then next weekend I should be approved, again. :thumbsup:

I just miss him so much! I am so ready for him to come home. It will have been almost 2 years by the time he does come home, so again, looking at the positive, we have less than 6 months to go!!

Ladies:

Please keep in mind that we are not the only ones that read and reply to these messages, that is why it is called the world wide web. Please use your head and if you do not have first hand information do not talk about it, especially people who have pictures of your man posted for the world to see. I realize that most of you are new to this, but comments about lined paper or assumptions about same can get your man locked up while they (CDCR) decide if he is invloved in anything remotely similar to what you describe.

There is a RJ DONOVAN GUIDE (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190061). Check it out. There is a section on what you can send to the facility.

William'sBaby:heart:

Thanks William's Baby. I did check it out -- But read that it says "50 sheets of blank paper"
After talking to the mailroom supervisor, reception inmates can only receive MAX 20 sheets of loose leaf lined notebook paper.
So specific, you know!

I guess they've changed the policy since TerriB created that guide. I went ahead and updated that information for you guys. :thumbsup:

William'sBaby:heart:

Thank you Queen06 for your concern. I have been doing this on and off for almost 18 years, so I am not new to this, and based on information that was told to me years ago is where I have this information from. I am not concerned with my husband for the simple fact that I do not send paper to him at all and I have not and will never send anything that is not legal! But again, thank you for your input. I would never say anything here that I did not want people to know.

Ladies:

Please keep in mind that we are not the only ones that read and reply to these messages, that is why it is called the world wide web. Please use your head and if you do not have first hand information do not talk about it, especially people who have pictures of your man posted for the world to see. I realize that most of you are new to this, but comments about lined paper or assumptions about same can get your man locked up while they (CDCR) decide if he is invloved in anything remotely similar to what you describe.