I seen where a few other girls had started a thread for the location of their loved ones..To just kinda meet people..So I thought Hazelton needed one too...So hope to hear from yah..

Hi Lillmama, as you know my husband is at Hazelton and it would be great to have a thread for those of us ladies that have loved ones at Hazelton. Lets see if we can get this thing going.

haha yea i know..but it aint gon no where yet..

Hi Lillmama;

Hi Lillmama,
Ignore that 1st response. I am confused on the computor and lost with the USP system. My daughter has been designated to Hazelton and asked me to find out about the facility. Short of the location and how to send mail and money, I can not find anything. She wants to know about the housing, and the programs that will cut her time upon completion. I would sooo appreciate any insite you might have.
Thank-you in advance
msyvon

Hello! sounds like a good idea

Has anyone gone to Hazelton? I really would like to go. I haven't had a contact visit (he was in a state supermax before) in three years! I am just concerned that I will get there and it will be on lockdown!

You can call ahead to make sure they are not on lockdown...Thats what I do...The number is (304)379 5000..Where are you traveling from? I been there before..It wasnt too bad..Hes only been in the Feds since April he was in state before that..I thought it was pretty relaxed though.By the way people talked on here I was a lil nervous but it wasnt bad at all.

I am coming all the way from Wisconsin, and that is why it concerns me to go visit him. His spirits are down (as can be expected), and I know that he really needs to see me and his daughter. But what if I get there and then find out that they are on lockdown! I can't even imagine going all the way there and then not being able to see him. Especially since I am going to have spend money to fly us both there, hotel and then a car so that I can get from the airport to the hotel/prison.

I am so tired of these lockdowns!

Oh yea that would be a long drive..thats where my boyfriend is from...It would suck to get there and them be on lockdown.I am so sick of all the lockdowns too...Since hes been there they been on lockdown more then they have been out....I live 30 minutes from the closest airport to the prison(its 2 hours from the prison..theres nothing here lol)..So if I can help in any way let me know..

What airport is the closest? I was going to try and check out around how much it would cost to go there, but I am not sure which airport to put as my destination.

Pittsburgh, Pa is the closest one...

o.k thanks. I was looking at airports in WV.

Yea I dont think there is too many of those haha

Welcome Missinghim97, I have been to Hazelton once to visit but could not get in because my husband visits had to be renewed and he did not know he had to redo them when he changes prisons. N E way, there is a hotel call Microtel at the bottom of the hill where the prison is, very convenient. It is not expensive and it is new and was not too bad when I had gone there. I wish all BOP prisons were as easy to get to as this one, it is right off the main highway and the hotel was right there.

Yea you are right Wifey the prison isnt hard to find at all...

Thanks for the help Wifey and Lil Mama, I am going to see what I can do. School starts soon, so it may be awhille before I can go. A long visit like that would be amazing. The longest I have had was 3 hours and that was over three years ago! And these 15 minute phone calls go by so fast, it's ridiculous. At least they have e-mail, that helps. I swear I would give just about anything to kiss that man, or even just hold his hand!

Hey Lil Mama, have you heard from your boyfriend today? My husband called very early this morning (5 my time), but I haven't heard from him all day. He usually calls me three times by now!

Nevermind! I just found out he got a job so that is why he didn't call!

I know Im the same way when I know he should have called and hasnt..Ill be freakin out..Everyone always know when I aint heard from him..They know ta stay out ma way...And yea the longer visits are great...In regional they was 30 minutes an hour n a half drive to visit 30 minutes CRAZY...State was 4 hours so that wasnt too bad but it was 2 1/2 hours away...Now he said he should be getting moved to 5 hours away...Right now its 3...We thought he was gonna be like 3 1/2 but 5 is so crazy..It sucks...I guess I shouldnt complain too much cause you have it WAYYYY worse

Hi Ladies,
I finally went to go visit my husband on a special visit (no visits allowed for 13 years - petty caharges from an FCI) this past weekend and I am soo sad to have to leave him there and not put him in my pocket and bring him home. Got there too late for Friday. Saturdayt was the third one there had to go look for closed toe shoes cause all I had was sandles. I had to go 35 miles away to a Target in Morgantown to get shoes that did not match cause I got the first thing I saw and that fit. Then I get there at the count so I had to wiat and then almost did not get in because of the t-shirt I was wearing was a V-neck. I begged them cause they saw it was a special visit and that I came from Jersey. Then in the hall there is that female officer that watches you like a damn hawk. I will says that I was abel to kiss my man alot which is something that McCreary and Big Sandy would not allow. The food was okay - alot better then big sandy and the room was not too cold. I angered at the fact that they had a room for the kids and would not open it and on Sunday there were many kids. I was just very glad to see him and already miss him. By the way, the hotel Microtel is not bad at all, small rooms but cozy.
Hope all of you are doing great. I have ben out, have been in the hospital 7 times in the past 2 months but am okay now. Stay with your heads up.

GURL CONGRATS Im so glad you finally got to visit..Im sorry they made you drive all that way for different shoes..At least they let you pass with the V neck...Maybe they should have mentioned that when they mentioned the shoes..Yah think? Last time I went to visit I got there at 9:23 he said you are 3 minutes late you will have to wait til count is over im like what time is that he said 10:30 I didnt get in to visit until after noon...It was crazy and I was P!SSED

Wifey, I cannot believe they didn't mention the shirt along with the shoes. And what is the big deal with open toed shoes anyway? I can see not wearing suggestive clothing but the open toed shoes is a mystery to me.
Lilmama, hopefully my sister and I are going to go visit my nephew in 2 weeks. I hope there won 't be in lockdown. What do they do when they "count?" Do they count the visitors and only allow so many in? We are going to go on a Saturday and want to be able to get in early and make the first count (whatever that is)
I feel like I need to pack a suitcase with changes of clothes just in case we are wearing something we shouldn't. I don't want to drive to Morgantown like Wifey had to do.

Hi Ladies,
I finally went to go visit my husband on a special visit (no visits allowed for 13 years - petty caharges from an FCI) this past weekend and I am soo sad to have to leave him there and not put him in my pocket and bring him home. Got there too late for Friday. Saturdayt was the third one there had to go look for closed toe shoes cause all I had was sandles. I had to go 35 miles away to a Target in Morgantown to get shoes that did not match cause I got the first thing I saw and that fit. Then I get there at the count so I had to wiat and then almost did not get in because of the t-shirt I was wearing was a V-neck. I begged them cause they saw it was a special visit and that I came from Jersey. Then in the hall there is that female officer that watches you like a damn hawk. I will says that I was abel to kiss my man alot which is something that McCreary and Big Sandy would not allow. The food was okay - alot better then big sandy and the room was not too cold. I angered at the fact that they had a room for the kids and would not open it and on Sunday there were many kids. I was just very glad to see him and already miss him. By the way, the hotel Microtel is not bad at all, small rooms but cozy.
Hope all of you are doing great. I have ben out, have been in the hospital 7 times in the past 2 months but am okay now. Stay with your heads up.

Im glad you finally got to see him. I was suppose to go last weekend but my hubby got in trouble so we are on visit restrictions for 30 days. Microtel is nice. I actually was one of the first occupants at the hotel about a year ago. The hotel is only a year old. The people is nice but Hazelton is starting to get strict. You use to be able to wear open toes shoes and vnecks now you cant. They will allow some contact though. I am happy to know you got to see him!

Oh By the way, Hello everyone. My husband been in hazelton for a little over a year now. We are almost to the end of our road. We have about 6 months left. We had a very long 15 year run..... blessings to you all!

Count is when they count all the inmates...Im not sure what all times they have them...I know you just have to be registered before 9:20 am or you wont be able to get in until after 10:30 am...Next timego Im gonna try and get there between 8:30 and 9 to make sure it doesnt happen again..Sassie Im happy you finally get to go visit..I know you gotta be excited....Ill be up there in a few weeks also.

Yea I think they are starting to get strict too...And New welcome to this thread...Congrats on only having 6 months left esp after a 15 year bid....Im glad you finally got to see him. I was suppose to go last weekend but my hubby got in trouble so we are on visit restrictions for 30 days. Microtel is nice. I actually was one of the first occupants at the hotel about a year ago. The hotel is only a year old. The people is nice but Hazelton is starting to get strict. You use to be able to wear open toes shoes and vnecks now you cant. They will allow some contact though. I am happy to know you got to see him!

Oh By the way, Hello everyone. My husband been in hazelton for a little over a year now. We are almost to the end of our road. We have about 6 months left. We had a very long 15 year run..... blessings to you all!

Thanks Lilmama. We are hoping to go visit on the 20th. My sister is coming up to visit me and we will leave from my house on Sat. morning. It is a 2 hour drive so we will be leaving early especially since we have never been there before. I hope it isn't hard to find. My nephew talked to his counselor and he has approved about 5 family members (which were all sent in the same envelope) but has not approved me or my mother, whose forms were sent separately. The counselor said he had a lot ahead of ours which makes no sense because I sent in my forms before my sister sent in the 5 family members who were approved. My sister is sending me another form which I will fill out again and resend in. I hope I am approved to go because my sister won't drive up there alone. Of course I guess I could ride with her and just hangout in Morgantown and do some shopping but I really would like to see my nephew too.

I was gonna try and go then since I get paid on the 19th..It depends on how much my paycheck is if not it will be the next weekend...It wasnt hard for me to find when I went..Lets hope I can still find it its been so long...I moved and never traveled to it from this area but ill figure it out..haha..Sometimes I think those people just make things harder then what they are..I would resend it then tell your nephew to keep on him about it that way you can get approved in time..Thank goodness my boyfriend has one that actually tries to help and does his job..

Hey Ladies how are we all doing. Just wanted to let you all know that my husband called me yesterday (9/14) before I left for work (about 2:30) to tell me that they were going on lock down again. He said that two opposite gang people got into a fight and so they are going on lockdown. The games they must play. I know that his locker was almost empty so I pray that this is not a long one. At least I did get to see him last weekend which was an experience in itself but was really great to see him and kiss him. N E way I will let you know if I hear anything else from him soon. I have not hear again so I guess they are on lock down. Lets all keep strong.

Hi all, it me TheWifey again with an update on the lockdown that the guys are presently in in Hazelton. Received a call from a friend of my husband that was released after 12 years last monday after the lockdown started. It looks like this will be a long one cause it started with the group from D.C. (about 600 men) and the group from Pittsburg (about 150 men) getting into a fight. Now why men that are outnumbered by 4 times their numbers would want to fight is beyond me. N E way so now they will be in lock down untill the ones from Pittsburg are all transferred out. He said it will take a while - "it will be a long one" he said. So I guess we better just do what we can by writing and sending books and magazines for now. I also send mine a subscription to the NY Post so he can keep on top of hometown going ons. Hope this helps. Stay strong and lets keep our heads up.

my mom is at hazelton! i think. haha! her name is lee wells, or lafaso. anyone know her? hm hm? she claims to be the best softball player there--guess they are just letting her win in her old age.

HEY IM NEW TO THIS SO NOT REALLY SURE HOW THIS WORKS LOL .... IM TRYING TO GO FOR A VISIT THIS WEEKEND , I PLAN ON LEAVING TOMORROW BUT IM IN JERSEY AND ITS A 6 HR DRIVE ... DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE JAILS ON LOCKDOWN ??? .... AND WHAT MAIN HIGHWAY THE JAIL IS OFF ???

OXLADYLOCKXO,
My husband called and said that they were off lockdown and then put back on but then let back out, so as of 10pm Thursaday they are off lockdown. So you should be able to visit. I am from jersey and I go visit also. The drive does take about 5 to 6 hours but this prison is right off highway 68W in West Virginia, exit 29 that says Hazelton. You get off and turn right and then immediately right again. Keep on it, you will pass a gas station on the right, a business building, a medical clinic and then see the Microtel Motel on the right. The motoel is new, decent and right at the bottom of the road that leads to Hazelton USP. The motel number is 304-379-7900 and the prison is 304-379-5000, press #1 and it will have a recording that will tell you if you can visit or not. What part of Jersey are you from, I am from Monmouth County. It is 95 to 276 West to 76 to 70 to 68. Hope that this helps. FYI - no open toes shoes or v-neck shirts or shirts that are see thru or low cut, no sign of cleveage at all. Get a plastic clear bag to put silver change in for the vending machines and get there before 9am or you have to wait untill almost 11 to get in. TATA Have a great visit. How often do you plan on going?

they are now off of lockdown for those that dont know...i havent been on in a few weeks but im happy to be back..

I was wondering where you were LilMama. We hadn't seen a post from you lately. Welcome back. My sister and I drove to Hazelton on Sat. morning. What a rainy drive it was. She was able to go in and see her son and actually touch him for the first time in over a year. THey wouldn't let me in because my security clearance hadn't come back. I don't know what the problem is. I sent one the first week in July and another about 2 weeks ago. I think his counsleor has them piled on his desk and gets to them whenever. I've never had even a speeding ticket so I know I am clean as far as my past. My nephew was so upset but we'll go again as soon as I am cleared. I sat in the car and read and did crossword puzzles. I am pretty good at entertaining myself so I made out just fine.

I know I missed everyone....Im sorry you couldnt visit..I was approved within a week...If I was your nephew id be questioning it...Hopefully his counselor will finally come around and approve you...And yea they sure put that place in the middle of no where with nothing else to do like a mall haha...

I know what you mean about not much to do. Some visitor told my sister that a Dollar General was just down the road a bit but my GPS was acting up due to the weather and mountains and since I have no sense of direction, I was afraid to go exploring too far. Ha! Ha! So I just stayed put in the parking lot.

Im not really sure where too much is around there..I know stuff about morgantown its like 30 minutes from there but other then that im clueless...im hoping to go up soon....it seems like anytime i can go they lockdown..imnot sure if thats a sign or what

Hi everyone! I was in SFF Hazelton for 15 months! UGH!!! And that place has a lot of quirks to iron out!!! I heard from my boss in the education depatment that the USP was really rough and always on lockdown. When the men are on lockdown, they close us down....ie, we don't go to work, like a holiday schedule. It was really frustrating for us I can only imagine for those of you who drive a long way to see you loved ones up there! GRRRRR!

The fog is bad and they won't let us out of the housing unit until a fog count is cleared. (we called it the disappearing razor wire for...go figure!) And out count times were 4pm every day....on the weekends it was 10 am also....so if you don't get there in time, you get caught up in that mess of having to wait for the count to clear.

My sister came to pick me up from that God forsaken place and she stayed in the Microtel one last time....but I went down there and showered the prison stench off me and put real clothes on....an it is really a nice little hotel! My kids stayed there many times too!

Anyway, just thought I would say Hi!!!

BMR1992

Welcome BMR1992 and it is great that you are out. My husband had told me about all the fog over there and on my last visit I experienced it. He told me that they have no yard when it is foggy. I can not figure why you guys have to be closed down when they are on lockdown. I have been doing visits for 12 years and I already knew about the count time affecting the visits. Once there was even count done in the visits with us there, as a matter of fact they did do it when I went this last time. The Microtel was a pleasant surprise for me. Welcome and thanks for the info.

Welcome BMR....Hope to hear more for yah....

Okay, I have not heard from my husband in a few days - since Saturday. Does anyone know if they are once again on lock down? The phone still has the date of 09/25 on it and it says the USP is on lockdown. HELP!!! I am sick and need to hear from my man.

The latest word from SFF Haz is that the building code will not permit them to do the original "triple-bunking" per cell that BOP had proposed. So all off the additional third bunks they have installed will apparently go homeless In fact, they are now currently over code, and they are telling inmates that some will now even have to be relocated within BOP. I am taking this all from what has been told to my wife there by BOP staff.
So dont be surprised if BOP relocates some now at SFF Haz to other facilities.

Those poor women!! I was there....the staff is so scatter brained....they don't know which way is up. The system needs to be revamped...

Being three to a cell is vey cramped, but we made do. I always asked what the fire code was for the building....no one, not even Mrs. Folk, would give me the capacity limit. Only to say that they were within the code. The housing units were obviously not built to hold 220 women (there are 32 cells on the upper and lower tear)....there are only 14 (or 16) showers for God's sake! Not to mention that 24 women had to share two bathrooms in the "bus stop". There are five washers and dryers...6 TV's, 7 tables, 3 computers, 6 phones....and you wonder why tension builds in there!!!!

BMR1992

The wifey, no they are not, my friend called me yesterday and today as well. But he did say that something was wrong with the phones. Hope you will hear from him soon

Well, just called and found out that once again they are on lockdown and it has been so since yesterday. I have not been one to call the prison and talk to my husbandas counselor much but he was hurt badly just recently and I was not informed at all. I found out in a letter he sent me that was mailed two weeks after it was written because he was in the hospital and no one told me. So I need to start being more visible for him with the prison that he is at. Can anyone give me any pointers on how to handle it. I did cxall once and was told I can not have the extension of his counselor thatI have to go thru the main line. Then off course cutt off once or twice having to call back. And now they tell me his counselor is not in and I have to call back. Can anyone forward to me pointers? Thanks! I pray that this lock down is not a long one.

Wifey, I am so sorry about your husband. I do hope he is OK. That is just not right about them not contacting you. I would ask your husband to ask his counselor to give you a call. I don't know if he will but it is worth a try. It seems almost impossible to reach a counselor by phone with the way the phone system is set up.

Wifey im sorry to hear about that...once again I havent been on much...I have never really had any problems with his counselor..Never called..I would keep calling eventually they will get sick of hearing from you and do something to help you..They aint like you are getting on their nerves..But Im like hello this is your job dont take it out on me...I dont get paid for nothing and you sure as hell aint either haha

lilmama and sassie08 thanks for oyur replies. I tried again and again got the "He is not in you will have to call again" line. Furtunately fro me I did get word from one that is with him. He had a family member of his call me and give me an update. They said that maybe this week he will be back at his cell. I really get tired of this attitude of the BOP that families need to be treated like if they were criminals too. If the system was fair I can understand but when you have people who have done worst and because they have money have gotten away with minimal time and speical privileges - it makes me just boil to be treated like a criminal. I am a nurse and I treat all my patients the same regardless of who they are. I can not deprive them of care or special treatments just because they are charity care or private pay. Unfortunately none of them will know what it feels like until one of their own is locked up and they get treated like a criminal. N E way, he appears to have healed from his injuries and hopefully will be able to get back to his cell and call me himself. I will keep trying. Does anyone know if we can go and see their counselors during the week? If we are listed as the emergency contact and all - can we see the counselor? Thanks all for your replies - it is truly appreciated and is the main reason why I love prisontalk forum.

Im not sure about gon to see his counselor...and yea it is ashame how they treat everyone like criminals..but a lot of people judge when they dont know the situation and like you said you dont know until you are in that situation..and if it was their loved ones id only hope they wouldnt forget them like so many people seem to do...id like to say it surprises me of how the world is but id be lying because it is really no surprise at all

Wifey, I haven't been on Prison Talk lately but I do hope you have heard from your husband and he OK and back at his cell. It seems that some law is being violated when the family isn't notified of something so serious. The counselors should give family members a call when that happens and be available to them for updates. I hear there is a new warden at Hazelton now. Has anyone heard anything about him? I don't know but this is where I would take this. I am all for letter writing. Of course you don't want to make things more difficult for your husband so I would be very nice and state your concerns and ask what their policy is on this type of thing. I am guessing that if it is a hospital on the outside, security is a big issue if family members and others know where their loved ones are because the hospitals wouldn't have the security of the prison. But family should still receive updates on their loved ones condition or be able to at least reach a real person to speak to.

Yea when I was on a visit my boyfriend said there is a new warden..They said hes bein really strict on visits as far as contact and that came from a CO..He said they review every tape...And that the COs got in trouble because inmates where putting their arms around visitors/vise virsa...He said a few other things..And my boyfriend said things were different since the new warden...If I find anything else out ill be sure to let everyone know

Hi Ladies!! Thanks for the love. Heaerd from my husband yesterday - his birthday was the day before. He sounded okay but until I see him I will not know. I did not ask about the new warden, all I know is that I loved the visit we had there (we had to have a special visit) because I was able to put my arms around him and he hold me. I pray that that is not changed. Our visits are few and far between and that is all that I want is to be able to put my arms around him and he around me. I did notice that we were allowed to kiss a few more times then before and that during the pictures they were a bit lax. As long as I get to see him.
I still have not been able to get to his counselor Marrero which irks me. I will try again on monday. I think that I will try writing this new warden, I just hope he is not one that thinks family should suffer just like the inmates. I hope he gives back respect. Till later ladies. :confused:

Hey Ladies,

My husband has not gotten his 100 minutes. He does not revalidate until the 7th and since we are all out of minutes I was hoping he would have received his holiday minutes. Did anyone's loved one get their minutes?

Hi Missinghim97, they give the additional on the validation date for each inmate in Novemeber and December. So if he validates on the 7th he gets 400 minutes that day and again on the 7th of December. Mine validates on the 10th and my brother in law on the 13th. Another family does not get his untill the 22nd so that stinks real bad. We can't complain because remember it is a "privilege" as they always twll us when we complain about the phone service or fee.

Thanks Wifey,

Your right it does suck and there is nothing we can do about it. I got my hopes up that he would call sooner than the 7th. Well at least we will have the extra minutes. Although we all know that will go so quick that it won't even feel like we got extra minutes!! Thanks for the info.