Hello, I am looking for some help in regards to the Chowchilla facility. My Fiance was just transfered their on the 18th of Dec 07. She is currently going through reception at this time. What is this process and how long does it take? Can she make phone calls during this time? We found out within 24 hours of her being transfered from county to Chowchilla and called and spoke to her counsler who then went and tracked her down for us. The counsler called back with in a half an hour and said that she had my Fiance in front of her and that she was doing fine. We could hear her voice in the back ground telling counsler to tell us that she was ok (she wouldn't allow us to talk to her). She took a plea on a white collar crime and recieved a 3 year sentence. This is her first time ever being in trouble with the law for any reason not even a speeding ticket. From what i have read in the forums that she has a higher precentage chance of being able to get on a program that will help fast track her sentence (so to speak) something like a fire camp being that she is a non-violent, non-drug related low risk offender. If so how long does it usually take to get on a program like this. I know she has asked for a transfer back to the so cal area were we live so that she can be close to her daughter who is eight years old. She has quite an extensive educational background including a degree in finance. She just got caught up in some B.S and now we just want to get this put behind us a quiclky as possible so that we can move on with our lives. Any information would be greatly appreciated....Thank You

Hello and welcome to PTO! I feel your pain, and I'm sooo sorry that this happened to your fiance. It's fantastic that you are there for her, she needs you most right now. And beautiful that you were able to talk to a councelor. I haven't had that opportunity. Others will see your post and start responding soon with their knowledge, compassion and willingness to share information to help you get thru this horrible time in you and your fiance's and family's lives. Here's one link on PTO Prison information if you haven't found it already that might be helpful for starters.

Its about Chowchilla Prison, contact numbers, and rules and regulations.
http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222877

God be with you, keep you strong and filled with Faith that this will all become easier to deal with in each day that passes.

There are 2 prisons in Chowchilla. Which one are you talking about?

She is @ CCIW

Sorry she is at CCWF

Sorry to hear about your fiance. I too am in the exact same boat and will be turning myself in on Wednesday 1/2/08. Has anyone mentioned to her about the Restitution Center in Los Angeles? I hear that is a place for first time offenders that offers her the opportunty to work, and see more of you than visiting her in prison. Fire camp would offer her a better chance of knocking some of her time off her sentence and that too is an ideal situation.

Anyway, I am curious - has she been processed through receiving yet?

Thanks

She is currently going through reception at this time. What is this process and how long does it take? Can she make phone calls during this time?

Reception is a ~2 month process where they're in orange, usually in two (wo)man cells, and are being evaluated / etc., medically, psychologically, criminal offense history / profile, etc. for classification purposes. (Largely redundant for women, as they're almost certainly going to be endorsed to CCWF or VSPW, which are identical and don't have different housing -- that might have changed with the use of the gyms now -- for different security levels. CIW (in Corona) is lower security (I-III), no electric perimeter, but also much smaller and way over capacity too, so...)

No phone calls during reception, with very rare exceptions.

Visits will be behind glass.

I recieved a letter from her yesterday and she said she is doing well under the circumstances. She has completed most of her testing and as of now she a level 1 class 4 (According to her this is the ideal spot to be in) She qualified for fire camp. She is currently tring to get a job which will allow her 1 call home per week. If every thing goes as planned she could be transfered some time in Feb to CIW. She keeps getting asked by the staff "what is someone like you doing here" She said she is getting tired of that question. She will find out more this week and write back as soon as she has more info. According to her counsler she could possibly be out as early as Oct. The only thing she said she is affaid of is going over the wall. We live in the so cal area and any type of visit would be worth the trip to see her.

Going over the wall is nothing to be scared of it is like a breathe of fresh air...better food from canteen, washing machines, more freedom, television, and phone calls...I did 7+ years for white collar crimes...If she transfers to CIW chances are she won't go over the wall and she will head straight for fire camp...

Plus you can have contact visits if she's over the wall...

HI
My wife is at C.C.W.F has been for about 5 years, She is really close to the gate and will be home soon.
Both of the facilities at Chowchilla are the pits. But this is the worse. Un-like Valley State which is accross the road. C.C.W.F. is home to the Womens Death Row inmates.
Alot depends on which Yard she gets assigned to. I have been visiting there for about 3 years and they do have some Staff that are caring and over all decent people. You may hear some pretty bad things but all in all she should be alright.
My wife is also serving time for non violent non drug related charges. She is from Southern Cal. However I think they send them up there to put a distance on purpose. My wifes daughter who is 12 has to be brought by her grandmother on a 5 hour bus ride for visits. It is a program the CDCR has so the children of inmates can visit. But I think it only happens about twice a year.
Just tell her to try and avoid the Drama, and she should do ok. Does she qualify for First Time 50 percent sentence. If so she should be home faster than you think.
I wish you both luck and know what your going thru. Feel free to message me if I can be any help.
Bo

Just because CCWF has death row doesn't make it any different than VSPW. Death row is a small caged in area in Ad Seg comprised of about 15 cells. It is not the DR folks who cause the drama in there; it's the nutballs in Ad Seg. They also don't move inmates to Chowchilla to make it difficult on families.

There are only 3 womens state prisons. Two happen to be in Chowchilla and the other is in Frontera. Unless Frontera adds capacity for another 10,000 females, rest assured that they will be sent to Chowchilla.

Neither prison is meant to be a picnic, regardless of whtever law they broke that put them in there. I've heard opinions both ways. Prison sucks, whether it's male or female, but don't make the leap that CCWF is worse because it houses 15 condemned women.

So next time before you make ignorant statements, at least get your facts straight before you post.

If anything I'd expect VSPW (which has the SHU, in addition to its own AdSeg) to have more 'characters' on site, though where they endorse to after their SHU term could be VSPW or CCWF.

i recently was released from valley state prison for women in july of last year after doing almost six years and i started at CCWF recieving and went to stockton prison for women before it was closed and then was transferred to VSPW and cant tell you the difference..... all i know is CCWF does have death row and an EOP program for the ones who need a lil more psychiatric attention , as well as the inmate who are infected with AIDS or HIV,and VSP does have SHU and a medical unit with pregnant chicks but all in all i believe its all what you make it really I went in young, 19 and acted even younger till the queen of my heart ( my grandma ) passed away and opened my eyes, till then i stayed in trouble..... afterwards, luckily it happened soon enough, i did 63 college units ( i grad in dec ), cosmetology, and i worked in their optical lab for three years making prescription eyeglasses, i was also involved with the chaplain and in the kairos and the celebrate recovery ministries..... its really not about where you go, its about what you do with yourself when you get there.... on my way in a good friend told me to drink water and walk slow......meaning keep your mouth shut and pay attention to your surroundings.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Hi Xcon909, those were true words of wisdom! Good luck to you and I'm glad you are out!!!!