My son has been put in Donaldson. Can anyone give me any info on this in any way shape manner or form? All this is new to us, I guess we have lead a sheltered life because until he got into trouble we didn't know all this existed like it does. Any help in visitation, putting money on the books, mail, or anyting else that you might think is pertinent would would very much appreciated. thanks Huntsville.:confused:

You can send money orders. Be sure to put his AIS# and dorm on the envelope and money order. I would contact the facility about visitation and mail. Each facility does things a little different. He will have to set up a visitor and fund list. I takes about 3-4 weeks for this. My son is at Ventress he was able to get money the first 30 days he was there. After that you had to be on his list. Log on to the ADOC website and you can get some informtion about Donaldson. How long is his sentence? I hope I have helped some.
South1

I did too, my son is at Staton. I'm and high school English teacher and my husband works for the railroad. He had a gun accident and shot his bride of 6 months and is now serving 24 years. I try to write him 5 days a week and have organized birthday cards. At Christmas I plan to get Christmas cards. I also am starting petitions this summer to get him out on parole. hope this helps

I send my son lots of cards. It seems there is not a lot to say in letters. He said he looks forward to the cards, to see what they will say next. I try to shop the dollar stores for them and have found some really cute and meaningful ones. I also try to send several a week so he will get mail. I also, have the local paper mailed to him. He usually gets it a couple of days after it goes out. He shares it with someone that is there from this county when he finishes reading it.
South1

Thanks For ya'lls response! I didn't actually think anyone would. I was wondering if you are on the visitation list what about your kids under 12 do they get to go in with you or do they have to be on the list also? How is donaldson ? I don't have anything to compare it to except the county jail that he was in before this. Thanks again for your responses. Huntsville

If the kids under 12 are his kids there is a form you will have the mother fill out, you will have to take with you there original birth certificates and that form. If they are your kids (his brothers/sisters) they will go on the visitation list and they will have to see the birth certificates (they will make a copy for the visitation file)

Donaldson is one of Alabama's maximum security prisons. This is what the ADOC has about Donaldson:

William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, officially opened in October 1982 as the West Jefferson Correctional Facility with a capacity of 700 minimum and medium custody inmates housed in dormitories, and 16 single cells. Subsequently, Donaldson was expanded to the current capacity, and has a 300-inmate segregation unit, which is the largest unit in the State of Alabama. Classified as a maximum-security institution, Donaldson specializes in controlling repeat and/or multiple violent offenders with lengthy sentences that are behaviorally difficult to manage, and several hundred inmates sentenced to life without parole. In addition, Donaldson has a death row with a capacity for 24 inmates that need to be incarcerated in the Birmingham judicial area.

Again Thanks!! We appreciate any help . Prayers go out to ya'll. Huntsville.

Lean on God and let His peace comfort you in these difficult times you and your family face. God will walk with you...all the way.

RevJeff.....Jesus loves you!

I live about 15 miles from Donaldson CF (a.k.a. West Jefferson Prison) - I have never visited there but I do know a guy that was there for a good while.....he was recently transferred to Childersburg WC, though. If I can get me friend to talk to him soon - I will see what he says about it all.

i need to know if this prison is like kilby and st. clair in vistation with children 4 months old. i am so new to all this prsion stuff, and what is a thread and how do you post one etc... i have no idea what i am doing?