Can anyone tell me what items can be sent to you in a package?
cookies? bathroom items? hair color? or do you buy all of that at the prison?

Can you receive photos to put on the walls?

do you wear prison clothes and prison hard toe shoes all of the time?

i'm getting scared and feeling lonely.

Hi...
My daughter has been at Alderson since Feb 22.
All personal items must be bought at the camp commissary.
You can receive magazines, soft cover books, letters and photographs in the mail. Hard cover books must come from a retail source such as Amazon.
You can buy sneakers at the commissary also.
The boots must be worn for certain jobs such as working in the dinning hall.
I am not sure about the dress code...meaning when the uniform is mandatory. I can find out if you like.
Anything else I can help you with?

Hi,
Thanks again.

If you don't mind, I would like to ask a couple of more questions. I go to enter a plea on the 9th and I'm starting to get nervous. Do you have time to send me a note?

I'm married to a much younger man (24 years) and I'm afraid that he will not wait. I'm not a spring chicken and I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone.

I think that I can handle the spray downs and strip searches, but i will probably have a breakdown if they decide not to let me keep taking my medications. (blood pressure, depression, and degenerative arthritus) After 3 days i begin to feel the affects. Do you think that it would be better to request a medical facility, or will they basically put me where they feel like it?

I can only walk for short periods and can't stand for more than a minute or two. think I can handle Alderson? I saw where it is on a hillside and there is walking involved.

Other stupid questions:

Do i have to wear a bra? I gave those up back in the 60's and have not worn one since?

can you get hair color in the commissary? my husband has never seen my white hair. I would hate to look like a skunk with a white streak going down the top of my hair from the roots growing out!

is there internet access? (that is probably a stupid question. of course not) Daily news papers?

Can you were shorts in the summer? is there any airconditioning?

flip flops?

I hope that you do not mind me asking all of these questions. I hope that you will respond.

I'm a fairly decent person (except for this one little white collar thing that got me into trouble) Never hurt anyone or caused any toruble. always the good girl doing what everyone wanted me to. This is going to be life altering for me and I'm not the strongest. But talking seems to help and learning as much as I can helps me from worrying too much.

Thank you, Missy

Missie,
I just took my mom to self surrender to Alderson on the 24th. It is very hilly and she said that she has to walk everywhere. Which my mom loves! But, if you arent in perfect shape it may be hard.
I just heard from her the first time yesterday and she said that all of the woman are just soo nice. She really liked all of the healthy food. She is able to email us, it takes awhile though for them to come through. At first I got an email asking if I would accept emails from a federal prison inmate....so after I reply that then she is able to email me as much as she wants. I am able to send her pictures, 5 magazines a day, 5 paperback books a day, the newspaper as long as it comes from the publisher, and hardback books as long as they are from the publisher like Amazon or Borders. I havent heard yet if there is for sure haircolor in the commissary but before she left we were told that she could buy it there. I have no idea about flip flops, I know my mom was able to buy some New Balance tennis shoes to workout in. When we dropped her off we saw woman wearing shorts so I would assume that you can wear them whenever.
I hope that this helps you out. I know that we were so frustrated before my mom left because we couldnt find any solid information about what the rules. But, the rules are changing all the time so you just never know! Please let me know if I can answer anymore questions, I will try!

Hi again...
My daughter is on psychotropic medications. She can get them in the pill line each day but expect a hassle and long lines. Sometimes it's easier for her to go without and suffer the consequences...it happens to many inmates.

There is no air conditioning unless you work for UNICOR. That building is air conditioned because of all the computers.

The shoes are either sneakers, boots or slippers (bought in the commissary)worn in the range.

The camp is hilly and you do have to walk everywhere. My daughter says some inmates use wheelchairs. I would imagine that is hard on the arms.

The food seems to be pretty good and most of the inmates are friendly and willing to help each other out. I believe some make good friends in the camp.

My daughter got her hair cut by an inmate who had gone through the beautician licensure courses. I would imagine you can find someone to do your hair for you if you buy the color at the commissary.

Alderson has the email pilot program, so inmates can email out and get email in for a fee. It takes a little longer than on the outside but is better than letters.

Have I hit everything...glad to answer anything else if I can.

Just a reminder? The ladies at Alderson may be able to get 5 books and magazines a day, but they are only allowed to keep so many in their locker. In theory, you have to donate them to the library or send them home - you are not allowed to have too many. This "rule" is often ignore by the guards, but they CAN enforce it if they want. Also - in theory - you are NOT allowed to give anything to another inmate, but this rule too is often over looked.

Also, the flip flops are called "shower shoes" and you CAN buy them, but if I remember right, you can only wear them in the Unit; you can not wear them to work or to the dining hall.

I've been home for more then 10 years and have NO bad memories of Alderson. That area of the country is so pretty that the views alone helped take some of the sting of being in prison away.

Also, if you are listed as needing to go to pill line at certain times it is a NO NO to skip. You can either get into hot water for missing or the meds are taken off of your "need" list.