I have heard of something called a prison social but I have no idea what it is, could someone please tell me? Thank you!

Joyceville has one tomorrow. They have on every 3 months. I've never been to one so I can't answer your question. I know you get to visit within the grounds of the prison not just in the visiting room.

I've been to them at the Bay. You can walk on the grounds, more freedom, way better than a normal visit. At Christmas socials they used to have a Santa Claus and give gifts to the kids. We had steak at the last one I went to. The guy inside pays for the meals of his guests. I think it was like 5 bucks. Its a good time, if you can have a good time in there LOL

Oh wow, that's very interesting. Does anyone happen to know if they have any at Bath?

All Canadian Prisons' have socials.

Usually they are on major holidays, like Christmas, Easter, etc. Usually 3 or 4 per year.

Anyone whom is on an inmates visitors list can attend. The inmate must pay for each guest (ususally around $25.00 five or take a few dollars), which goes to pay for food, beverages, and anything that may be purchased for the social, such as childrens gifts at Christmas.

During the social, the gym area, and in the summer, usually the inmates recreational yard is set aside for the day, from morning until 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Inmates that are not attending the social, cannot attend any of the areas the social is being held, and the gym is obviously closed for a couple of days so the area can be set up.

They usually have a band, really decent food, and an opportunity for family and friends to get a real look at the place, and some of the other inmates, in a much friendly atmosphere than the visiting area.

I have called Bath and spoken to a few different people to see if they have one for Easter, or when the next one would be, but no one seems to know, and they told me to ask the inmate. So I asked him and he said that he had asked around but no one seemed to know. I thought they already had set dates for these thigns at the beggining of the year, but I guess they pick the dates fairly close to the time of the event, right? If anyone knows when the next one at Bath is, or where I could find out that would be greatly appreciated. Oh and it's good that they have one at every prison, I definately did not know that. It sounds good though, especially the one at Christmas with presents for the kids, and Santa. Thank you!

Bath is a low-medium security prison, basically a camp with a fence around it. The problem being it is a high turnover institution. In order for a social to be approved, a certain number of inmates must sign up for it.

Alot of people at Bath, are either off to Camp shortly, being released shortly, or haven't even bothered of going thru the hassle of applying for visits. Some may not even be sure if they are going to be there or not, as they are awaiting transfers.

Usually Christmas and Canada Day are the bigger socials. Staff in V&C are aware of upcoming socials, as they provide the security for all the extra visitors. You can also phone the prison and ask for the Social Programs Officer, or the Recreational Officer - both are responsible for assisting the Inmate Committee setting up all socials.

Finally you could call and ask for the Chaplain, ask if he'll contact the Inmate Committee (all inmates - they have an internal phone) as they are the ones that apply for all socials. If you talk to your family member in the institution, all he has to do, is go knock on the door of the Inmate Committee - and they'll tell him what socials are planned this year.

Joyceville has the next one set for May 26th.

Hi everyone, Robbreid, I am not sure if you meant Federal prison's when you said all Canadian prison's have socials and as I am not from Ontario maybe the Provincial prison's there do as well but just to clarify, not all in BC only Federal prison's have socials, Provinicial prison's have no socials, which really sucks but that is the way it works here.

Nicole32 - same here in Ontario; only Federal has socials

Only FEDERAL prison's are prison. Provincial JAILS are jails.

The Federal Prisons' are Penitentiaries, typically meaning it denotes a place where inmates go to serve long terms for having been found guilty of a serious crime. All Prisons are operated by the Federal Government.

The term JAIL refers to facilities where detainess are locked up for a relatively short time (either while awaiting trial, or serving a sentence of less than two years) and operated by Provincial Governments.

Incase anyone wanted to know, I just found out that the next social at Bath is on the 21st of June, I believe.

Does anyone know any detailed information for vistiors at matsqui?
socials, visits, getting married, reasons they don't approve visitation application? thanks

http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/plcy/cdshtm/770-cde_e.shtml

http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/plcy/sop/700-12e_e.shtml

This is were family members enter the prison for a 3-day family visit with the inmate, in a private apartment.

Jessica,
I understand there are socials every month, they make up some reason if there isn't a major holiday to celebrate, like carribian day or whatever... all inmates can attend whether they have guests or not and it's only about $5 per guest. Family visits, wife, girlfriend and kids for 72 hours I think one a month or every 2 months. I haven't made it cuz I was denyied access for an ion reading for cocaine, the highest they had twice. I have no idea how the second reading happened, it shouldn't have. I am on screened visits, but due to the second reading, I am reluctant to go in case there is a third. I really don't know what they'd do. It can be serious and you can't even have a lawyer! So I didn't see or touch him for 18 months until parole. He was out for 2 1/2 weeks, I think, I saw him 2 times. I thought he was in treatment at MRTC the whole time, apparently not. He went back last week. I dropped him off to go to the treatment center, I thought and there was this chick waiting for him..... 18 months....man....
Yes, you can get married there, not a problem. If you want, send a private message, we can talk.