Hi Everyone,
I never thought I'd be posting here to say my husband is going to prison probably for 63 months. We should know in the next few days. It's amazing how life can throw you such a curve ball and things change so drastically in your life! It's his first offense and the judge is going to recommend Morgantown, we think. I'd love to hear from you as to if that's the right choice??? Is it better than Ashland, KY? He'll be going to a minimum security level. I want to make sure we have the judge recommend the right place. We live in Columbus, OH, so as far as me visiting, either would work. I'll be 59 years old in March and this is all so new to us. I'm so scared for him and me. We haven't been a part in 27 years. Thank you so much for any help you can give us and I'm sure I'll be having more questions!! :) I've been trying to research and find out things about the conditions at these places but can't find anything and it seems like so many posts are long ago. Do people not post that much? Thanks again for any help!

Hello Onajourney,

I am also from central ohio and I am currently awaiting a sentencing date expected sometime in March or April. My questions are in the same boat as yours. I also believe the judge is going to recommend Morgantown for me as well. Maybe your husband and I will be somewhat close?? At any rate, any information provided would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to you and your husband, we will all need it!!:eek:

My husband reported to Morgantown in mid January, just a few weeks ago. He may be trying to give me peace of mind but he has told me that everyone has been exceptionally kind. He said it is very clean.

I have also heard from an attorney friend that Morgantown would be the most desirable place to go in the nation if one had a choice.

Good luck and God Speed!

I spent a year in Morgantown. Its not bad and better if you know how it works. If you have some specific quesiton, drop me a PM. If you would like to see pics of Ashland, go to FedsGotMe . Com. They look scary to say the least. MGTN is wayyyyy nicer and no fence.

I wrote a book about it and still have a whole lot of friends there (actually friend from here at home which tells you what kind of people I hang out with.....................

Send me a PM is you have any questions....


Mark H

Hello,

I just wanted to drop a few lines to say that I have been a morgantown Wife since 2004, and I still have to wait until 2010 until my husband comes home. The facility itself is nice, considering it is a correctional facility. For visitations, you DO NOT have to walk through metal detectors, you simply fill out your visitation form, wait for the guards to sign you in and walk through the doors to find a seat. Getting there early helps, b/c seating becomes full very quickly. Do not where khaki, skirts above the knee or shorts, that goes for children as well. And if you are going to take children to a visit with you, you will need to have a signed letter from their guardian or they will NOT let you take that child to visit and they will not let ANYBODY sit in vehicle on federal property unattended. There is a walmart very close by, along with a shopping center that they consider a mall. There really is no close restuarants by, so grab a bite to eat before getting to the facility. Morgantown, has numerous activites for the inmates to become involved in, and to top it off, inmates can register for their very own e-mail address, which allows them to send e-mails home. If you want to know anymore details about morgantown, drop a message, I will be sure to give you the ins and outs. Goodluck. PS- Morgantown is probably the best facility to be sent to.

My son has been at Morgantown since 10/05. He said if he was homeless with no family, this would be the place to be. Three meals, brand new pool tables, new bats gloves and balls. What fun....however, they cancel things like classes and bring in prisoners from elsewhere for the drug program so it's very difficult to get in that due to the numbers. They do not want you to better yourself. Very little opportunity for any classes or rehab. He has however made several purses and wallets so perhaps he could promote himself from first time drug offender to crafter. That will really bring in the money for his child. Do I sound sarcastic? Sorry but even though this is the best place physically, there are very few opportunities to take with you into the real world....

I think that's strange that there isn't much opportunity to learn because if you look Morgantown up online they give a whole list of classes from HVAC, to computer training and a whole lot more...my fiance was just sentenced 4 days ago and his lawyer requested Morgantown since I have a lot of family there that I could stay with while visiting him...I have been reading all about people that have to report there but my fiance has been held by the US Marshals for the past year so Im not sure of the process for him being transferred...Has anyone else been through this?

My man says there is plenty of opportunity to improve yourself, if you apply yourself. He says teh facility is fine as long as you mind your own business and do what you are told. DOes anyonw know how long it takes to get positioned in a job there?

Aliciab

Don't Worry Morgantown is a very good place for your husband if he has to go anywhere have him go there. My brother has been there for 1 year now and it is more like a camp for men. They play pool, cards, work out rooms, TV's it is really not all that bad there.

my baby finally got to morgantown yesterday and he is in shock at how nice the place is....he has spent the last 22 months in different supermax jails waiting to be sentenced..he said it's so relaxing to know that he can close his eyes and not worry about what might happen the next day because there was always a fight going on or somebody getting stabbed or something

Hey there,

MOrgantown is great. It is a very clean and safe facility. If you have to do time. This is the place. Lots of freedom of movement and they have -0- tolerance for any type of violence. He will be very safe there. You can call Morgantown direct and they are very helpful with any questions you may have. I visited this pas weekend and was surprised at what a nice facility it was.

My firend is there for 9 years and he said if he had to be anywhere this was the place. Everyone is very helpful and very nice.

Alicia:)

Has anyone gotten a local cell number to Morgantown? What company? What is the area code and prefix?

Has anyone gotten a local cell number to Morgantown? What company? What is the area code and prefix?

I didnt get a cell phone up there I have my # set up through comcast and forward it to my cell which is with nextel and I have free incoming minutes.i hope all that made sense. The area code is 304 and if I remember correctly when I lived there some local prefixes are 296,598,599,319 & 216.There is also company called "nTelos" they r a local cell company that used to have unlimited minutes at a reasonable cost.Im not sure what their plans are now.

My husband self reported to Morgantown in Sept. I could have written your letter myself. We have been together 23 years, never thought we would be in this boat. Once your husband settles in and catches on to what the rules really are, he will be fine. Sounds to me like most of the inmates just want to get along and then get out. My husband is in his 60's and is ill with heart problems and now has a hole in his retina. I don't think they are set up to deal with older guys. There isn't as much for them to do as the younger guys..but they do manage to fill the time. You will find when you visit that everyone is very helpful and that the visitors seem willing to assist when you go there. The first time you go, plan to have change for the vending machines in a clear plastic bag, your license and your car keys. Nothing else. You can stand quite some time in line to wait even if you are early. You will survive it and so will your husband and you will both be stronger people for the experience. I spent the first several weeks in shock. Then, I got busy taking care of things and becoming very independent. You will find an inner strength too.

My friend calls my cell with his prepaid phone card as often as he wants to. Its nice to be able to not be strapped to the house in case he calls.

Aliciab

He leaves tomorrow to report by noon on Tuesday. I will be going to US cellular to try and get a local number for him to call. I am also planning to have the local paper sent to him. Does anyone know if that is allowable? I plan on having the acceptable magazines that he subscribes to forwarded. Most of subscriptions deal with fishing and motorcycles.

My husband receives our hometown newspaper. It is sent directly from the newspaper (not forwarded by me).

I got my forms today. I have filled one out for everyone. I noticed in the reuglations that you need to have a state ID. My 17 year old has his permit and it looks and functions just like a driver licsense in NC, unlike when I was that age and it was piece a of paper. My mother in law has an expired NY drivers licesnse, I am planning on getting her a NC ID. Do I need to get my 7 and 10 year old state ID's? How does visitaion work. How many adults at a time? Is the 17 year old considered an adult? I know two children per adult. I can't leave the 7 or 10 year old at a hotel while me and my 17 year old visit and Grandma can't babysit. Ideas? It's a 500 mile trip for us to visit and all the kids want to visit.

You do not need ID's for anyone under 16. You are allowed to have 3 adults, and either 2 or 3 minors. I'm not too sure which, but it is definitly 3 adult visitors. I'm not sure if the 17 year old is considered an adult or not. Maybe someone else can help out with that.

3 adults & 3 children can visit