Isn't it strange what you think of? How do they get their uniform? Shoes? Socks?.... Does my son even have any underwear? They wouldn't let him take anything to intake.. ??? I know it sounds so silly but, do they give him some? Should I send extra money so he can buy some? Help!!!!!!!

Hugs!

Jodi

Hey don't ever think your questions are dumb! I had the same q.s in the beginning and we're all glad to pass on what we know. It makes me feel like all this info I've learned about the system can at least be useful to someone. I never even thought about our prisons before and I have just had an unwanted crash course. But it really opened my eyes, needless to say.

Don't worry--your son's not walking around buck naked. Right away they issue him a certain number (I think 3 each but not sure) of shirts, socks, undies, pants, etc., and a hat, coat, shoes. It will get him by, but since laundry only goes out once a week he will appreciate the money to buy a few extra shirts and underwear. Also, the shoes are kinda flimsy and if he plays softball or lifts weights he's going to want to order tennies. He's allowed to order these from the state if he's got funds in his account.
Once he's at his assigned prison, if he wants he can order street clothes but only wear them at visitation. At the prison my bf is at, I can't order these for him; he has to place the order direct from a vendor (with very limited selection of course).

He also needs money for personals like shampoo/razor/etc. A lot of the guys order extra food such as ramen noodles. Other "luxuries" are available but pricey, like tobacco, small tv/radios, etc. No fans though. :(

Re: mail and phone calls--I was lucky cause they let my bf bring his Bible with him from county to receptions, and he had the phone #s of all his friends written down in it, so he could fill out his phone list and turn it in for approval right away. Took about 5 days for me to get a call. Mail took much longer, cause he had to order envelopes one week, then send them out to be stamped the next week, and then when he got them back he could send out letters. All of that was delayed yet another week cause his money at county took a few days to catch up with him in Jackson.

They can always get mail and no doubt your son is greatly appreciating every letter and card. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll hear from him soon.

remember Jodi, your son is still in intake isn't he? in this state intake is very limited. basic clothing is provided, but no commissary or in our case no soap or shampoo. all that will change when he goes to a more permanent locale. usually you can purchase extra clothing or supplies or food when that happens. there are folks on this board from michigan who can tell you. does michigan allow care packages? anyone?

Hi Tia ~ You're right, prison is almost a relief to those guys after being in receptions, isn't it? But comissary is available in receptions in Michigan, though it's more limited than at our regular prisons.
Unfortunately, Michigan doesn't allow care packages at any place--you can only send pictures (not polaroids) and cards and letters, or books directly from an approved bookstore. If you want to send something like a joke or story printed off the internet, you have to copy/paste it into a word document first so it's not obviously off the internet. You can't bring food or papers or anything to visitation, either, just $10 in quarters.

It depends on the facility. When my husband was at SMI in Jackson (which was NOT the RGC as he was already classified); I could order him street clothes from the JC Penney catalog, which was an approved vendor. Then like Carisa says, he was only allowed to wear them during visits, and only allowed one pair of street pants, and one shirt. The MDOC took all of the prisoners' street clothes a few years back; they used to be able to wear them all of the time. But now at the Level 5 place he's currently in, he's not allowed any of that. It's much stricter, on visits he has to wear his prison blues, no street clothes allowed. Also, I can't order him things from the JC Penney catalog there anymore. So you need to talk to your guy's counselor to find out what rules apply at the facility he's in. I have found most counselors to be pretty helpful.

Grrrr, its only 7 a.m. and its already a bad day. I don't know why, all of a sudden but today is just bad! LOL...

Bad dreams all night seem to have had me awaken with a nagging sense that something is WRONG.. I sent out some money for his account.. Only $30 though because I wasn't sure it would reach him and wasn't sure it would be transferred and I didn't want to send a lot only to have it lost..

I haven't heard a word from my son, except for the letter he sent out that was written the first day he was there. Probably though he doesn't have any stamps or money and of course that stupid michigan phone system could be preventing him from calling since I don't have sprint. I would like to join evercom, but don't want to as of yet because I don't know where he is going to end up, so I don't even know if where he ends up uses evercom.

He still hasn't made it onto the online database so for all I know he could already be moved, or still be in Marquette at intake. This is driving me crazy......!!!!!!!!!! How do you all get through this... ???

My only sanity today is coming from the boards!!!!!!!!

Jodi

My advice is to call the facility and ask to speak with his counselor. Good luck!! I know exactly how you are feeling, been there!

Yes, snowdancer, call the facility and talk to the counselor. They are there to answer your questions. You can also try something else that I have had pretty good luck on... When you call the facility as to speak to the Watch Commander or duty officier for that shift.
This is usually a higher ranking correctional officier. Just tell them that you are a mother of an inmate their and this is all new to you and you haven't heard from him at all. Ask what the procedures are for them to call and what you should expect. I'm hoping that you may have a good experience with this. In my case, they had Vic, call me with in 10 minutes and we were able to talk for 45 minutes.
This might work better on the weekend, because in most cases the counselor is there.

Good luck! And when you sent money are you sending money orders with his inmate number on it? They do not except checks!

In Calif reception there are no phones. All contact is by writing. It may take a couple days, but he should be able to come up with enough to write you a letter. ------Ken

I have traded desert, milk, fruit, etc. for a stamped envelope so there are ways to get them, it just takes awhile sometimes.

Thanks again for the awesome encouragement. I sincerely appreciate your input.

I sent some money out to my son, but don't know when it will catch up to him. Strangest thing, Friday I did receive a letter and it had one written page and 5 blank pages. Justin said the prison wouldn't mail it unless it was a certain weight. Guess he is using his creative skills.

I send a self addressed stamped envelope to him in yesterdays letter. I don't know if he will get it but I think I will try that for awhile... What the heck. Is a postage paid envelope considered contraband?

Hugs,

Jodi

in some states yes. no paper, envelopes or stamps are allowed to be sent. i don't know about michigan, but here in oregon they are contraband. they'll send it back to you if it is.

I know for mine I cant send him stamps, he is in michigan

Hi, Jodi. I'm so glad you heard from Justin! :) How's he holding up?
I know stamps are a big no-no, but I've never tried sending a metered self-addressed envelope. Let me know if it works, ok? I'll have to try it myself, too. My bf only gets comissary every two weeks, so if he runs out of envelopes it's quite a wait. Then we just run the phone bill up even higher...lol
He has sent me one-page letters at times and they got through fine--he was told that one envelope just can't be used for MORE than five pages. But better to be safe than sorry, huh? :)
Hugs,
Carisa

No Snowdancer, they can't use stamps in Michigan. They got rid of the stamps a while ago and inmates have to buy those pre-stmped envelopes from the store. These are things his counselor could tell you!

Oh dear! Well I hope he doesn't get into trouble because I sent a self addressed stamped envelope.

I sent a money order with Justins name and number on it... I was going to call the counselor today, but he is supposed to be leaving tomorrow or the next day, so maybe I can call the next place (when I figure out which place that is)...

He still hasn't made it onto the website... GRRR at least then I could track him.. Maybe..

This is all so new and foreign... someone should write a book... "How to survve the prison system, from the OUTSIDE'!!

Hoping everyone is having a good day!

Hugs,

Jodi

He won't get into trouble because you sent him the stamped envelope, they'll just send it back to you. The money order will go into his account and follow him wherever he goes.

Dear Isadora,

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. And to think I thought I was being so clever sending a self addressed stamped envelope... LOL...

Hope everyone is having a great day...

Justin is supposed to be moved tomorrow to either Riverside or Jackson. Will have to wait and see. I am going to call tomorrow. They are supposed to finish his intake at the next destination.

Hugs,

Jodi

Jodi,

Call the phone number I gave you for Records in Lansing in the next few days. They will be able to tell you where he was moved to.

Plus, they can only get 4 pictures at a time and no poloroids. Once he's moved and you can visit you can deposit $ at the facility---by money order. It gets into their account quicker. Hang in there. We all learned this stuff in the beginning and made many mistakes and then learned..............

Deb

Deb,

I called that number you gave me and they told me right away where he was. It was a lifesaver...

Here is the number in case anyone missed it.

1-517-373-0284.

I am so thankful you provided it! Hope it helps someone else too!

Hugs,

Jodi

Just fyi it depends on the facility how fast it gets into their accounts when you deposit it right there. You can also deposit cash at the facility, doesn't have to be a money order. At Jackson you can deposit cash and it's on their account the next day, just go to the Business Office there. Oaks on the other hand is really screwed up. No Business Office and when you go to deposit money there you have to put it in an envelope in a drop box. They pick it up whenever and believe me they take their sweet time. It took over a week for it to get on my husband's account there. So it was quicker to send it through the mail at that place.

Just a follow up but I received a letter from the prison stating that I sent contraband (a self addressed stamped envelope)... so no stamps in michigan...

Hugs,

Jodi

I guess I am lucky - I can send Wayne stamps in Alabama. I am glad you are getting through this - one day at a time. We are here for you!

Here in New York we can send pretty much anything except stams. You can send money and they can buy stamps though. You can send food, clothes, towels, sheets, radios, tapes, books, art supplies, you name it. There's an official list which I had posted on some other thread here. It's pretty lengthy so I'm only going to post it again if someone needs it.

In NY does what you are allowed to send change with the level of the facility? Well you guys have conjugal visits too so I guess you are WAY more progressive than we are here!

Wow NY is way more progressive I guess than Michigan is. I am still waiting for a phone call from my son and still nothing, even though they said he could call in 7 - 10 days. I have received a couple letters from him but no calls. I guess its my chance to have a low phone bill this month..

Hugs,

Jodi