I've been reading and hoping I can go to Bryan. I am in SDakota and was told Minnesota but I think the PO just said that, unless there is a federal place there in MN. He said "you will probably go someplace in MN, thats where most people from SD go"........... LIKE WHERE

Then there have been a couple of other women I knew from this area that went to TX. Then a moderator or someone posted to me that previous members on this site have gone to TX

That sounds ok to me. Visits would be limited but I only have to do 12 months and 1 day there.

Thanks for all the good info on Bryan.

Any and all is appreciated.

missmkm, first I would like to offer my apologies for not seeing you posts earlier. Second congratulations on finding a wonderful huge family of support. I have a pretty decent knowledge of the Bryan facility as my wife is there now. She S/S on Jan.23. It is I suppose like most camps; they have good and bad in all of them. It is a very clean peaceful looking facility and if you didn't know that is was a prison camp you wouldn't be able to even tell it. It used to be a private shcool several years ago that has been converted. Let me know if you would like more information; you can pm me if you like.

Thanks.... I hope I can go there, I've read so much about it. More positive things written about it than negative. Do you have current commissary prices? One concern is getting what I need upon arrival or within a few days... I want to get that out of the way... then I can get into or learn the routine, keep in contact with my family, get and keep in touch with myself and continue to grow and heal.....

How long will your wife be there? I hope you are close enough to visit from time to time.

THanks.

missmkm;
Please do not let anything influence you in any way that going to a camp is a picnic. It is still prison but just on a lighter side. But then all in all the experience is what you make of it. So with a good positive attitude you can make the best of a bad situation. The commissary pricing for the most part isn't that much more than the outside world. There are a few exceptions like boots, a radio, and the sweats. They are about double what you would expect. Boots are 85.00(steel toe by the way mandatory),a radio is 59.95 with headphones, sweats are abut 20.00 a piece for the shirt and bottoms. Snacks and things like that are about the same or maybe only a few cents more than outside. My wife will be there until Feb of 2010. I go every other weekend and it is a four hour drive one way for me. But I feel that is very fortunate because there are several on PTO that have to travel 1000 miles or more. While there last weekend I made friends with a man from Kansas City Missouri. If you would like you can PM me with any other questions you may have and I will be glad to answer whatever I am able

Any other words of advice? My mother is supposed to S/S on Jun. 29 and we're not sure if she will go to Bryan or not but it's looking that way.
This is a first for my family. We've never had a family member in prison or anything of that nature so it's been a little scary as I'm sure you can agree.

As far as the steel toes boots go..you do not have to buy the ones on commissary...you are issued steel toed shoes or boots upon your arrival...the ones on commissary are alot nicer though and they are new and not used.....and more comfy when I was there in 2004-2005 they were 75.00....

I know what you mean about driving long distances...We live in St Louis Mo and my family was able to come see me about every 3 mos...I was fortunate...on Christmas though...they got crowded and my family had to leave early....because they got there at 8 in the morning...and I thought that was unfair considering there are inmates who get visits every weekend and my family had to drive so far..my husband 5 kids and my parents and they made them leave 3 hrs early. Another girl whos family drove 26 hrs to see her had to leave early...they really have no sympathy.

But your prison time is what you make of it...you can use it to better yourself or you can sit there and brew and come out a very bitter person....the choice is yours. Good luck to you

I've been reading and hoping I can go to Bryan. I am in SDakota and was told Minnesota but I think the PO just said that, unless there is a federal place there in MN. He said "you will probably go someplace in MN, thats where most people from SD go"........... LIKE WHERE

Then there have been a couple of other women I knew from this area that went to TX. Then a moderator or someone posted to me that previous members on this site have gone to TX

That sounds ok to me. Visits would be limited but I only have to do 12 months and 1 day there.

Thanks for all the good info on Bryan.

Any and all is appreciated.

If your sentence is 12 mos and 1 day you do know that you will not be there the whole time only about 9 mos or so....that one day on the end of the 12 mos allows that

Well, since I know I am not going to a camp - but a FDA... this camp info really has no meaning to me anymore. I thank each for their reply, but I will be in a dungeon not a camp. Someone says this RARELY happens.... so it would happen to me. SS 5/21-- preparing to not see sunlight for a year.

missmkm, I am so sorry that you will not be going to a camp. I am not familiar with with FDA so have nothing to compare it to. But from what you wrote it seems quite harsh for no more time than you will have to serve. Just keep in mind that there is a huge group of people out here who will be praying for you. God bless you

Thanks, I've found limited info on the FDC- a couple of kind members have pm'ed me... which helped greatly. I will do just fine. Adjusting to the thought of it.

Thanks for all the prayers.... just have to find a motel/hotel with reasonable rates that is close to the facility.

missmkm---I just wanted to say good luck with your extended stay with our wonderful host, BOP. I hope your time will go swift and smooth while you are there. My prayers are with you. So what FDC are you going to?

Houston FDC for 12 months and a day. I keep stating that because I've heard different numbers for gtc and hwh. Some say 54, 47 or 36 days for gtc.... then hwh is from 31 days to 6 weeks to 6 months. So, if I plan on doing the 12 months and a day, when they tell me it's less - then I gave myself a little surprise or gift. Thanks....

Missmkm:
My thoughts and prayers go with you. Now much of the uncertainty is over. Now you can concentrate of doing your time and coming home.

Thank you motherhen! I have about 10 days to self surrender - I will be okay~ just preparing and family is coming this weekend... - the weekend after I will be traveling to TX. Will do a post before I leave... and will see everyone back here sometime in 2008! Well gladly give reports on Houston FDC for women who are going there..... I have been given so much from PTO that I plan to give as much back as I can.

Again, Thanks