My fiance' has went from Marion Co Jail to Coffee Creek, to EOCI, to Powder River and NOW to SRCI. We live in Salem and when he opted out of the Powder River Alt. Program his counselor told him she'd make sure he DIDN'T come back "home" (the valley) and sent him to SRCI last week. His release date is 12/14/08 and I'm so confused WHY they'd send him further away when he is under 12mo to being released. He is minimum security and in prison on a pv(probation violation) he missed an appt w/his po and had a warrant issued for his arrest.
I'm lost without him. When he was at EOCI and Powder River we could talk. Now the phone calls to SRCI are $20 for 20min calls. WHO can afford that??? They make it impossible to talk to your man!
He's heard rumours that he was sent there because the rds were too bad to send him back this way and that he will probably be sent to OSCI as soon as the weather clears. Until then...I wait. I miss him soo much! And, it's impossible to drive there to see him. One..the roads. Two..I have no vehicle right now. This is nothing like I have EVER experienced in my life.
I seen someones quote about "Being a prison-wife has taught me about unconditional love" THAT IS THE TRUTH!
I wouldn't be with anyone else..no matter HOW long I had to wait! I just wish he'd get back over here to the valley and I could at least SEE him! I haven't seen him since Sept 07.
Anyone else out there going thru the same thing? Any suggestions?
I feel like when they sentenced him to prison..they sentenced me too.

Hello,

The only suggestion I can give is, is there any buses that run down to SRCI? Or is there someone going that way from your area? I have dealt with this over 12 yrs. That means I haven't seen my man in 12yrs, I'm in NY he's there in SRCI too. I pretty much stay busy, I write everyday and I send money to his calling card just to have contact with him. I think you're lucky to be in the same state and have had the opportunity to see him in '07. Even if it is a drive for you, I wouldn't let those miles keep me away. I don't know your financial situation, I know we all have a burden in finances. I have had a friend in NY that I used to visit over the years. He's out now. If I didn't have a car, I'd rent one, as the buses don't run from here, like they do in from NYC every weekend to the prisons, or vans. It'd be a charter bus for specific prisons. They'd pay $40 dollars for the day. Yet many complained of the expense. I would tell them, that was cheap, and wished I had that opportunity. As I'd not only have to drive there, I'd have to spend for a hotel etc. So my total cost could be 300+ for the weekend. But my best friend was worth it. I just wish my man was here in NY, so I could do the same. He had lost his visits until '08. We were hoping he'd be released at the parole board, this year, but they gave him 2 more yrs. :-( So I don't know what to do now. Wait the two years or see if he can have visists again, and reapply to see if I'm approved. Plus coming from NY, I'd have to fly to Boise ID, that's the closet town that I know of. The flights that I checked out of curiosity get in late. So not knowing the area, I would want to travel alone at night to Ontario for a hotel. Unless someone knows of a closer airport that Boise. Well I wish you luck, keep up your head others may have it worse off than you. That's my motto, for lasting so long. :-)

I have a friend who was in SRCI for 5 years, until a month ago, and I live in Portland, so I can sympthasize. The trips out there to visit him were hard on me, both physically and financially. It's a long drive and an even longer bus ride. Though there is a bus that goes to Ontario, Oregon, the prison is several miles outside of town, with it's own exit off the freeway, and is very difficult to get to without a car.

I would suggest you call SRCI, get a hold of his counselor there and see what he/she suggests. It may be that, if you can get to Ontario, you could car pool with a family from Ontario who is visiting on the day you visit. Look through the threadfs here and see if you can find others with prisoners at SRCI.

If nothing else you can lobby for his transfer to a closer facility. Often it does seem like Oregon DOC makes decisions about prisoners that makes it more difficult for them to receive the outside support they need. However in my expereince they are not deaf to us citizens who respectfully seek for better circumstances for our inmates and will try to make accomodations.

Success.

Hello all! Well, as of last week my fiance got moved. He has now circled the state of Oregon and is in Warner Creek Corrections in Lakeview, Oregon. If you go into the DOC site and look at all the facilities, you'll see that he has literally been in a circle. All but to Salem..where we live. I guess the only place left is back home. I've been told that 6 mo's prior to the release date they are transfered back to the county of conviction to prepare for their return to "society" (as they call it). THIS would be a blessing. Since, Marion County is where the aledged crime took place. So, THIS is where he would be returning. It's been over 8 months now since I've seen him and 10 since I've got to touch him. Waiting 2 months is NOTHING!!! So.. Please keep me in your prayers that he will be coming home soon. His release isn't until December. But, just to SEE him and look into his eyes would be a dream come true! Also, his dad passed away yesterday... so keep us both in your prayers for that. His father lives in Las Vegas and I have no money to fly down there and since David is incarcerated..well, you all know THAT story! They could care less...they just don't want him to "hurt himself". They could care less how much he is hurting on the inside.
Thanks all.. and God Bless!!
~b aka davids_girl

Daves girl,

Two months left??? Well you could do that on your head!!! (don't try though!) Sorry to hear about his father. Yes, you two and your families are in my prayers. I hear Warner is a decent facility so good luck with everything and may the next two months fly by!

Dawn