hello. my neice is currently in taladega jail awaiting transfer to tutwiler. my mother in law and i are looking for info on tutwiler. we are trying to find info on visitation rules, survival tips, programs that will be available to her while there, packages/reading materials that are aloud, prisoner safty, education oppurtunities, and many more specific concerns. if any one has been there or had family/friend who was there and would be willing to help, we would be greatful. we are new to all of this and are scared and worried for our neice. thank you.

When she gets there she will have to complete a visitors/funds/phone list. It takes about 2 weeks for this to be approved. They will give this to her to send to you. Also, the visitation schedule and rules. I'm not sure what you can send to Tutwiler. I have not had to deal with this facility. There are people on here that have loved ones here. Hopefully, they can give you more information. Best of Luck
South1

thanks south1 any info i can get is helpful! if u kno anyone on here who might be able to help please refer them to my post. this whole situation is confusing! thanx again!

Auntm..First of all let me welcome you to PTO and the Alabama forum! You have come to the Best Site on the internet for information on Prisons! This site has the most wonderful people you will ever meet who are loving caring individuals. They let you cry on their shoulders and they cry with you and you can bet they will also laugh with you. And you find some of us who tend to get on our "Private Soap Boxes" and yell at the DOC's people who think they know what it best for our loved ones incarcerated in places that are't fit for a dog!
My daughter spent about 5 yrs at Tutweler so I am pretty savy..now don't carve my words into stone, cause we all know rules are made to be broken esp by warden. I have a good rapore with people over the phone and I have had my times in talking to Warden Deese(female) while she was there and the new Warden (his name slipped my mind) now who was assitant then was also very understanding with my concerns.
As to what to expect she will be evaluated mentally and physically(health) when she first goes in. During the first few weeks she won't have phone contact..only mail. If you want to send her money(postal money orders are the best) or allow her to call you collect (15 min) and also for you to visit her..she must fill out a funds/vistor/phone list. She must have your SS#, your home address and your home phone number. I am not sure but she may need your Dr Lic or State ID # too. You will have to have that on visitation day along with your 1 key to your car(lock evferything in your trunk and also bring an extra set of clothes just incase one of the CO's doesnt like what you are wearing). Nothing else can go inside the prison. You are allowed to bring change($15.00 last time I checked). You must buy ciggys from canteen and they give you matches and any food is purchased out of the vending machines. If you bring a baby(must be child of inmate only)you will need their birthcertificate) in you must feed them and change their diaper outside before you get in line. No bottles or diapers are allowed inside. Wear comfortable pants and nice shirt, nothing sexy looking and comfortable shoes..you will be searched and have to remove your shoes and socks as they look for contraband..mostly drugs or money.
She will be allowed for an initial boxes of personal items , all white, 6 panties, 6 white T-shirts, 6 white socks, Shampoo and Creme rinse in clear 16 oz bottles, 1 Lotion or Cocoa butter , soap bars..not sure of the #, tooth brush and tooth paste. Writing paper and envelopes and stamps(these are all you can send by mail-dont include paper or envelopes or they will not give her your mail) Most of this stuff you can get at Dollar General/Freds/General Dollar pretty reasonable. Non Aresol hairspray..there is more but she will send you a list or write it in a letter and you have to box it up and mail it to her at the prison. Pictures( sexually explicit ones) are allowed by mail. You can order magazines to be sent directly to her.
Depending on her crime she will be placed in a certain dorm..basically its bunk beds set 1 1/2 feet apart with about 100 women in the same dorm. Based her work history or education she will be given a job assigment to keep her busyduring the day. If she needs a GED she can do that first. If she is in for Drug use she will be required to take SAP "Substance Abuse Program". She can't parole out until she completes that if it is ordered by the sentencing judge. And I understand there is a waiting list for that program. I have no idea how long it take for this class.
If you have anymore questions feel free to post them here and I will answer asap as I have all my threads sent to my email when someone posts. If it more private click on my name and click PM and post it there. I will see a msg that I have a PM.
Try not to worry and first and foremost if you are her only family..take care of yourself healthwise..cause if you get ill stressing over her incarceration you can't support her.
We also have a birthday/Christmas Card program where members can post a loved one's name and their address and for each name you submit you are required to send out 10 cards for a month. Most of us try to volunteer each month because our own love ones are estactic to get all the Birthday cards from all over the US and some foriegn countrys.
Okay I've rattle on enough!

Have a blessed day and come back often and read read!

(((((HUGS))))))

Alabama Granny