Does anyone know anything about it from a loved ones point of view? I have read and reread eveything on the DOC website, however, was wondering if anyone has a loved one there?

Every Oregon prisoner goes through CC, it is the intake center. They stay there about 4 weeks before they are transfered to a permanent prison. Rules are quite different since it's transitionary.
It is also the only women's prison in Oregon- unless EOCI still houses some women?

Oh see I didnt know that... I meant the womens facility.

my man was there for about 5 weeks then was transfered

Has been at Coffee Creek about 4 years now, what do You want to know?

PDX- good to see you!

EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! If I end up going I want to know what its like, what are the programs like? What about visits? What are the options down there? etc.... I am hoping I dont end up going but I am looking at a chunk of time if it doesnt go the way we are hoping. I have a really good atty down there though. So we are counting on him but still....

My daughter was at CC for 18 months our first time ever dealing with Prison...Over all it was okay..she spent sometime in Med. then was transferred to Min. Med was better for visitors..they had a place to go to get out of the rain..Min. you had to stay in the rain...stay to yourself..If you don't know God..find him..he will help you through the rough times..they have lots of church services to go to..Keep yourself busy they have lots of programs to offer you...just don't get tied up with the negative!! Stay focus..and make the changes you need to better your life..Good Luck and I will pray for you !! God is good and he is faithful! Trust in him !

Hi, my daughter is at coffe creek, five years so far. They do have a child friendly visiting room, games,movies, rocking chair,ect. not so scarey for kids. You can use quarters in vending machines.They have programs but I believe there are waiting lists for some.It could be worse thats for sure.They are strict about visitors dress.

I thought the visiting room in Minimum was inside in their Dining Room, so how would there be rain, unless you are talking about the little "playground" area outside? But that only applies if the visitor is bringing a child right?

Jimmy.

I thought the visiting room in Minimum was inside in their Dining Room, so how would there be rain, unless you are talking about the little "playground" area outside? But that only applies if the visitor is bringing a child right?

Jimmy.

It seems she is talking about waiting for visiting to begin. At CCCF, there is a lobby for medium visitors to wait in before they are processed and brought back for their visits. Visitors to the minimum side must wait outside before they are processed in and brought back to visit, regardless of weather.

Hi, my daughter is at coffe creek, five years so far. They do have a child friendly visiting room, games,movies, rocking chair,ect. not so scarey for kids. You can use quarters in vending machines.They have programs but I believe there are waiting lists for some.It could be worse thats for sure.They are strict about visitors dress.

Hi, I am pretty sure I will have to do some time in the near future at Coffee Creek. I am a first time offender and and 50 year old woman. I know these seem like silly questions but I was wondering; what do the inmates wear? Do they have hair dryers or anyway to do something with your hair? What can you buy at the canteen? Do you have to shower in the open?
I know these seem like silly questions but it would really help me to know.
Thank you for any information you could provide.

Sorry to hear you might be going to Coffee Creek. My daughter just turned 44 her first offence also. They wear denim jeans(blue) blue teeshirts and blue sweatshirts. They have a "salon" inmates run you can get your hair cut,if you have $$.They have dorms as well as cells. If you are modest youll have to get over it. Body searches are common. If you have money you can buy a lot from a candy bar to a TV.( outrages prices ofcourse.) They have jobs, the OR DMV is run from there(waiting list) you can make $$, my daughter makes $70 a month.she buys her own deodorant,toothpaste,envelopes,cards,treats ect. I dont know what else to tell you,it is a prison and it is hard. You can PM me if you have any other questions I can answer. I am not sure if you can have hair dryers, I doubt it.

Mluck - Be sure to talk with your attorney about the Alternative Incarceration Program too. Coffee Creek has three minimum custody AIP programs. One is drug/alcohol. One is dual diagnosis drug/alcohol. And one is a "cognitive restructuring" program. All are minimum custody and the women are housed in more of a campus-like setting than the main prison, I believe. There are certain requirement for eligibility and, right now with M57, the D.A. is going to have to stipulate his agreement that you could enter. You also have to have enough time in your sentence to go into it. Aim for minimum custody if you're able. Z.

Isnt minimum for 3 years and under? Thats what I heard.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and give me information. I really appreciate it.
I'm having my attorney negotiate right now. He said I will probably get 40 - 48 months and be eligible for AIP when I get to 36 months. Also something about 20% good time credit. He thinks that I will end up doing 12 - 18 months but I know; theory on the outside does not always match what the DOC does once you get inside. (I had a husband do some federal time about 10 years ago). Do you know if there is a waiting list to get into the AIP programs?
Also, are women's prisons like men's prisons? Is there a lot of fighting, extortion and such? Should I be afraid for my safety?

Hi, I am pretty sure I will have to do some time in the near future at Coffee Creek. I am a first time offender and and 50 year old woman. I know these seem like silly questions but I was wondering; what do the inmates wear? Do they have hair dryers or anyway to do something with your hair? What can you buy at the canteen? Do you have to shower in the open?
I know these seem like silly questions but it would really help me to know.
Thank you for any information you could provide.

mothersharon gave you good info but I'll go ahead and answer your questions as well...

My wife is a first time offender and is 36; she been in Coffee Creek since it opened. Clothes consist of blue denim and either a blue t-shirt or blue sweatshirt. No hair dryers and it's $15 at hair design to get your hair done. The Canteen list is either 3 or 4 pages...can't recall if the second sheet is double sided but the print is small - there's a lot. Showering is in the open but there are certainly times that they are less populated. I'm on my way to see her in a few hours and will check back either in PM or public for any other questions when I get back in a few days.

A

Do you know if there is a waiting list to get into the AIP programs?

There is.

Also, are women's prisons like men's prisons? Is there a lot of fighting, extortion and such? Should I be afraid for my safety?

No. Women are different than men and that difference extends to the way that they do their time. If I were going to summarize it, I might do it like this: Women, being more social than men, tend to form cliques, friendships and family units within prison that substitute for the sense of belonging that gangs provide for the men. Violence against women in prison tends to be ostrasization - shunned and no place to belong. It's hard to get there, you've got to really screw up to have no one that wants to associate with you.

I have a friend in this AIP "cognitive restructuring" program. Where can I find more information about this program?

mluck- Welcome to Oregon PTO. Not silly questions at all. If I were you, I would want to know as much as possible to prepare myself. We should get a canteen list scanned so people can see what they buy. The big stuff- TVs, CD players, shoes, guitars, art supplies. Then there is a lot of packaged food, mostly unhealthy, hygene items, vitamins, the list is long. I was told that the women are allowed more "luxuries" than the men- like makeup. They have irons at some prisons so they might have hair dryers. Well, they used to have irons but not sure the status on those after a guard was burned on the face by one.

You might want to check out the forum on PTO for offenders who are headed to prison. Knowledge is power!

Minimum status was changed to 4 years and under. But just because they have under 4 years doesn't mean they will be minimum.

You are right; knowledge is power. Everyone has answered so many of my questions. What a great community. I guess the only question I have left is. . . . is their something your loved ones wished they knew prior to going, rather than having to learn it after they got there? Is there anything I should be doing to prepare myself or my family?

Let's see, for myself, I have always been what is considered a "right fighter". I need to forget about that with the DOC. You have to learn to play by their rules. I never joined the military because respect must be earned, not granted just because of title - for me. DOC is like the military, they think they deserve respect regardless of what they do, better to learn that from the beginning. Never be "out of area" without permission. Do your time and nobody else's. And, I will fight to my dieing day for my brother's rights as a human being. He is not allowed to, as (not my opinion here, rather public opinion) he is an inmate and gave up his rights when he committed a crime. Immediately once you are incarcerated, sign paper work giving a family member of your choosing, the right to access to anything and everything that goes into your file, also for medical records. Sign this, pay DOC staff to notorize it, and make copies, send out a copy to the person you give this authority to. I don't know, maybe this is something that could be done before going in, and copies provided to DOC? Take all the "self help" type classes you are entitled to and have time for, that might help for your release. Be a model inmate. See everything, hear everything, and know nothing. That is a good start, and just my ideas. Others here will come up with more, I am sure.

Grannyg gives excellent advice. If you are able to, I would also start saving money to put on your books when you go in. Get your teeth checked and have your physical (if you have medical insurance).

Everyday, practice the act of Gratitude. This is what has got me and my family thru the past 10 years.