Hi Everyone,

I could really use a few words of advice/encouragement. I just got a call from my husband that he is on the list to be transferred from CSATF to Arizona or Oregon. This would be devastating! He doesn't fit any of the requirements for out of state transfer (born in US, No crimes in other states, no family in other states, etc.) They are saying the reason he's on the list is lack of visitors. That's B.S.! I visited him every weekend when he was in county. As soon as he got to Tracy I put in my Visit form, he was then transferred to CSATF (in November) before I got approved so had to start that all over. Finally got approved in Jan and have visited every other weekend since. The problem is they are looking at CDC visiting records from Nov 2006 -Nov 2007, which he has none...but there was no way I could have ! Has anyone else been dealing with anything like this? I am sick over this. Is there anything we can do?
Thanks so much for reading.

I am so sorry to hear about this. I wish I knew the steps to fight this, I'm sure someone on here does.

I can't imagine how I'd feel if they tried to move my fiancee out of state. I'd come unglued.

I wish you the best. Friggin CDCR thinks they're God or something, moving people like pawns.

Not sure if it will help, but I would be on the phone to the Warden, the Asst Warden, his counselor, the prison Chaplain, the CSATF Ombudsman:
(CSATF Ombudsman-Lonnie Jackson 916-324-5458)
and anyone else I could think of and I would also send letters to them certfied mail documenting who you called and when, and also pointing out all the visits you've made, the fact that he's a US citizen with no family in the other states. IF a lawsuit ever gets filed over this (which I can't believe hasn't happened yet) you would have a good paper trail of proof.

Also, maybe you could post on the CSATF thread and ask people to PM you if they have direct phone number contacts for the Warden et. al.

Wow that sucks. In Ga they just move them around in the state. Which would suck too. We are trying right now to get him closer to home.

I am praying for you and hope you can get this fixed.

This has made me fearful now, I brought this up to my honey and he said they aren't transferring him...but after reading this I don't know. I am waiting for approval and haven't heard anything yet and neither has he, I'm praying I get approved soon. Can't you call or write someone about this?

I truly appreciate everyone's response. Kima, I am going to start the calls and letters as you suggested...and of course document everything. Again, thank you all for taking the time to listen and share your thoughts.
I'll post what happens if I get any results. Hopefully I can help prevent others from having to find themselves in my position.

The new ombudsman is Jocelyn Cregar. Same phone number listed above.

Warden Adams can be reached by calling the main line, then it'll give you a list of numbers to press. However you'll prolly get his secretary. 559-992-3476

Good luck with this, hopefully he will not be moved.

Hello,

Well after speaking to a counsler at the prison and getting a voicemail from Ms. Cregar I am in no better shape. The counsler just said my husband should file a 602. Ms. Cregar basically said I'm out of luck because they don't take into account any visits until they get to CDCR, which didn't occur during the time period they used. ???? I was waiting for their slow asses to approve me!!!!!!!! I'm so frustrated. This isn't right! Any thoughts?

You might try getting in touch with your state legislators. Write it all out and fax it/mail it as well as making a phone call. Some of the Assembly members (and senators) can be helpful, especially if you attach a copy of the Gov's criteria, and you state the reason you couldn't visit is because you hadn't been approved. It may not help, but it might be worth a try.

I spoke with Lonnie Jackson over the phone about a month ago. He told me that level one inmates do not qualify for transfers. I wonder if he is correct? My husband meets all criteria for transfers and has voluntered to be moved. We can't get anywhere. I live in Tennessee and this is a state that is accepting CA inmates. Does anyone have a loved one that has been transferred that is on level one?

they are each given an attorney to fight this i think it is a six step process
but they always take them anyways the new prison is opening up in az called la palma.
they also have florence correctional center.
i am sorry i went though this last year.
i tried all i could to stop it got him to stay the first time and the second cycloe they took him.
i know this suxks but you can fight and see where it takes you.
the only suggestions i can give you is to try and contact prison law offices or anyother group fighting this i know this sounds bad but the ccpoa is fighting this for there own reasons so try them.
the good part about the transfer is the phone calls are 30 and he can call all he wants visting is four days and you dont wait in long lines each time i went i saw him with in five minutes of getting there
they give them decent food. i had the tacos there they were good.
he can order his tray of food to the visiting room.
so you can taste it too not bad.
he can have playstaion or xbox with games they have cable
the cells are much larger. also here is a link to what they look like
click the little box on the right side to watch the video.
http://www.nbc11.com/news/11196121/detail.html#

he can have playstaion or xbox with games they have cable
the cells are much larger. also here is a link to what they look like
click the little box on the right side to watch the video.
http://www.nbc11.com/news/11196121/detail.html#

wow, playstation or x-box? that's kind of cool...I have never understood why CDCR prohibits all types of electronic games- seems that allowing inmates to stay busy might cut down on some of the trouble.

Mine just got transfered to arizona la palma ! From ironwood & honestly i feel so upset even if it is a better situation for him it is still so upseting 4 our family !

My son talked to a guy who was in Arizona, he said it is great. They treat them much better than in Calfornia. He said the family was upset about at first, but they are relieved that went to a place where he was treated so much better. I'm sorry you all have to go through this, but honestly, if they are happier out of state I think that's a big plus. I fly to AZ alot on business and the airfare on Southwest if you get their specials is pretty cheap.

YAH I GUESS IM JUST KINDA UPSET BUT WHAT IVE BEEN READING HAS ALL BEEN POSITIVE SO HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING WILL B OK I GUESS IT COULD BE WORSE !!!!!!!!!!!1:confused:

I also heard from my husband last week that he was being transferred out of state. The criteria, according to his counselor, is random selection. It doesn't matter about visitors, about family or about ANYTHING! The CDC has run out of willing people to transfer, and it still has to transfer at least 4,000 more to meet the federal court order regarding prison overcrowding, so they are just picking people.

Unfortunately, they don't want gang bangers or disciplinary problems, so they are picking inmates with clean records; good jobs; and who are even enrolled in school (my husband is taking college courses while in there).

I just posted a blog under "Legal" asking for help. If anybody knows what we can do, please let us know. I have e-mailed the ombudsman for my husband's prison -- her reply was pretty stock and pro-prison. When I e-mailed her back saying that she should advocate a little more for the inmates, she simply didn't reply back. I have talked to an attorney by phone, who said there is nothing I can do; I have talked to his counselor, who also said there is nothing I can do. I have even e-mailed the governor and a bunch of local news stations and newspapers, all to no avail so far. I'll let you know if I find out anything. In the meantime, if anyone at Prison Talk has any suggestions I'm sure we would love to hear them ASAP.

Thanks,

Chris

Are you serious, they base it on how many visits they get? That's some sh!t, some of us work and can't visit every day there is visiting.... Oh man, C.D.C really blows my mind...

I'm so sorry you're going through this.... If you need any help let me know.. Can you make a petition??