Did you make it ok? How was your visit?

Yes, I made it ok. Here is a run down of how things went. Left Friday morning at 6:30am to fly into Oakland. Got into and and it was raining. It rained from that point on. My boyfriend went with me and thank God he did becuae there is no way I could have done that drive by myself. We got on the freeway about 8:30am, stopped for breakfast in Santa Rosa and 2 more times for gas and poddy breaks. We pulled into Crescent City around 4:00 pm. That 101 freeway was something else. It poured rain non-stop. I could not believe it. Those redwood trees are beautiful. Anyhoo, went to the Best Value Inn took a look at the rooms. We couldn't do it. So we went down the road to a new place called the Lighthouse INN. Very nice. $69 a night. Rooms 4 times the size of the Best Value Inn. Couch, refrigerator and microwave in the room and also a very nice continental breakfast every morning. The place was built a year ago. Went to the prison Friday just to make sure I knew how to get there for Saturday morning. Saturday I got there around 8:30am and there were about 10 people already there. They processed us very quickly and we were on the bus and at the SHU visiting by 9:00am. I was surprised because when visitng at other facilities for the contact visits it would be almost an hour before you saw your loved one. But they brought him out just as I was wiping down my phone. I started crying of course because I hadn't seen him in so long. It was a very emotional weekend for me and for him. The only snag in visiting came on Sunday for the afternoon visit. There was a problem with the count on mainline. So we didn't get in until 1:45pm. I was getting ready to start crying because I really didn't say goodbye to him at the 111:30 visit because I knew I would be coming back in at 12:30pm. So luckily they cleared the count before 2:00pm because if they don't they cancel visitng. It is so stupid because the SHU is a totally separate facility. That has nothing to do with the mainline count. So, I was able to spend an hour and 15 minutes on the last visit. It hurt leaving him there. I wanted him to come home with me. It is hard even talking with him about his daily routine because he accepts it as his reality and it is almost okay with him. But I guess when you know that nothing will change you have to adapt to your enviroment. I just hate it because he doesn't belong there caged up like an animal. He did tell me that he eats 3 times a day. 2 hot plates and a sack lunch. He also got a cellie, which I was so grateful for. I am constantly worried about him and his mental stability. But like he told me we on the outside always hear about the worst case scenarios of people going crazy in the SHU. He has not and will not let the SHU break him. He follows a daily routine. He said that some guys stay in the bed all day and only get up to get their trays, and don't go outside and they have no family or anyone to communicate with. They are the ones who eventually "break". But he did say that they are able to communicate with each other in the cells because there is a vent in each cell that they call their "phone". I told him that it is always perceived that the SHU is complete isolation meaning no communcation with anyone. You don't see anyone and you can't talk to anyone. But he says that when they leave their cells or are going back to their cells, they are allowed to stop at someone else's house to drop off a book or magazine or talk for a minute. I guess it depends on the pod your in. His is a relaitvely quiet pod with no discipline problems. Just like I didn't think they could have a cell mate. He told me I've been watching to many documentaries. I told him that and the internet is where I get my info from. I know he doesn't want me to worry about him but how can I not. No one knows him the way I do. We grew up together, he's my older brother, my protector. He changed my diapers, beat up other kids when they messed with me, and helped pay for me to go to college. And to see him in handcuffs.......

All in all it was a very good visit. I'm glad I went and will be going back probably in February. There were some people from LA who drove the whole way up. A lot of the married women have relocated to Crescent City. That must be hard because there is nothing to do there. The whole city shuts down by 6:00.

There is an ominious feeling going into that facility. And I've visited him before at Calipatria and Salinas Valley and it was nothing like this. It's like you are at some government research facility that is top secret or some bomb fallout shelter. Just deserted. At the other facilites you would see guys at their windows knocking or looking. Here it was like nobody even bothers to get up. My brother had asked me were the people in town nice because some of the other inmates had told him that the towns people treat the visitors to the prison bad. I told him that people were nice. I didn't tell anyone why I was in town, the waitress at one restaurant was fishing for information I could tell. Asking me was I from around there or just passing through and how long I was staying. I told her I was on my way to Oregon. It's none of her business what I'm doing there. I heard in the visitng room that the towns people want the prison gone ASAP. I guess they have been trying but Pelican Bay isn't going anywhere.

The only people you see are the CO"S. The co's in visiting are nice. The women aren't particularly, but the men are. They even came out and sat down in the chairs and were talking to us. A couple were from Socal and were asking what was going on down here.

The drive back was hell because by 4:00 it was turnign dark. My boyfriend picked me up at 3:00pm and we got going. It poured all the way to Santa Rosa. Fog and darkness. I've never driven in weather that bad. I was in no condition to help him drive. I couldn't stop crying. I finally went to sleep for about 15 min. but we made it back to Oakland by 10pm. Checked into a hotel and flew out on Monday.

So, there it is. The pain and hurt continue..........

Dear bscotch55

I’m so glad you got to see your brother, we do understand how you are feeling honestly.

You described the place so well, its extremely surreal. I didn’t find the people of Crescent City that bad but I had heard some of the wives that relocated up their saying they got treated badly sometimes.

My only time was at the County Court House when I was being issued my marriage certificate, they weren’t unpleasant in a particular way but they certainly were not what I would call friendly. I’m like you I just keep myself to myself.

My husband is in the SHU and he tends not to tell me what its like day to day but pretty much everything you said I got from him. I still can’t fathom how a country that promotes freedom could cage human beings up like they do in the SHU but I guess its something we all have to deal with.

If you ever need to chat or anything feel free to PM me. I’m flying out for my visit next week (27th Nov, in the air on thanksgiving)

So keep your chin up

I hope you have a safe trip. I know you are coming a long distance. Hopefully, there won't be any problems with visitng for you. You get Friday, Sat. and Sunday. Lucky you. Double visits on all 3 days? I know you will have a lot to write about.

Take care and God bless,

Tiffany

Hi welcome back, I have only been up there one time in the winter and yes it is really bad. I alway go in the summer it is really beautiful at that time of the year. I am very happy your visit went well I am sure he really enjoyed also. It is really their only contact with the outside world so they need it very much. Maybe you will be going again this summer and we can meet up. Love Barb

I'm glad you made it ok.I'm very sorry you are hurting right now.I know it is tough leaving your loved one there when you walk out :(

"The only people you see are the CO"S. The co's in visiting are nice. The women aren't particularly, but the men are."

I'm glad I am not the only one who thought that! The woman in our visiting room gave me a really bad vibe.His Mother even made mention of the fact that she watched us like a hawk all day and gave some pretty hostile looks my direction! I have no clue as to why.I was dressed nice and wasn't doing anything improper.I swear I felt like she thought I was smuggling in drugs or something...I jokingly asked him if he had something going on with her if that was her problem.Of course he said No but I really didn't like the vibe I got from her,it stuck with me so much that I worried about it even after I was home.Bizarre! The men were all very nice though.

Yep I agree that the women CO's there seem more hostile towards us, I got upset about it the 1st time but after speaking to the hubby I don't let it bother me after all visiting for me is the best time of the year because I see him and I would never let women like that spoil it!

Yes, it's like the women stand there at the counter and just peer at your waiting for you to say something. And there was this one who walked around with her shoulders rared back like she wanted a challenge. I guess they get pissed when they can't turn anyone away for dress code violation and when the visitors ignore them. But if they acted as nicely as the men maybe people would be more cordial to them. And those female CO's know that the male CO's have a better rappiore with the visitors. But my brother said that a lot of the female CO's up there act like they have something to prove. And a lot of them get gassed and kicked because of it. They talk down to the men.


Tiffany

Glad you were able to enjoy your visit, and i know you guys were so happy to see each other. Some of the women CO"s hate to see happiness...........Glad yours was a happy one........Take care....:)