Can someone please help me!!!???? One of my friends will be leaving for Dodge soon, and I was wondering a few things. How does visitaton go?? Also, are you allowed to send mail with stamps or do you have to use prestamped envelopes? Can you send greeting cards? Any info on this place would be great. Also i want to go down there and visit, is it pretty easy to find? Thanks everyone!!

Hi Sara;

I can't say positive, but I don't believe you can send in stamps, at most institutions that I am familar with you can't. And if he is going to Dodge then he is just getting into the system. While at Dodge you can't visit unless you are family. You will have to wait until he sent to another prison. Unless he stays at Dodge but very few do. Dodge is the reception center for the WI Prison System. Dodge is located in Waupun and it's just down the street from Waupun Correctional Institution. this is about all the information I know concerning Dodge. Take Care and welcome to PTO!

Robin

Hi my fiance is there right now....he will only be able to get one one hour visit a week, only one phone call a week. You don't have to be family to get on the approved visitors list. I am on my man's along with a friend. I didn't have to wait for him to me transferred. You can send greeting cards....any other questions just pm me.

Then they must have changed the rules because my roomate could not visit her fiance until he was transferred to WCI which took 4 months. Thanks for letting us know.

Robin

no problem

My friend has been at Dodge since 09/08/03. I did also email you today, Sarah, about the rules and visiting and everything. I hope that you got it!!

Robin, yes they have changed the rules. Friends are allowed to visit now, too. I was approved with no problem.

I send my letters to him with stamps on them, and I send greeting cards, and pictures too. You can't send them anything that they can buy off canteen, and you have to place orders through specific places if they want clothes or whatever.

When the inmate is an A&E inmate, they get one 1-hour visit per week. After they are at DCI for one month, they get two 2-hour visits per week, and if they are moved to general population (meaning they have been placed permanently there), they get three 3-hour visits per week. One phone call per week for the first month, might be more after that. General population inmates get 4 phone calls per week.

It is very easy to find; close to Waupun Correctional but not on the same street. I am coming from the Madison area, so I take Hwy 151 to Hwy M, and it's right there. Let me know where you are coming from and if you need directions. It's hard to miss! :D Email me back if you have any questions, and if you didn't get my email today, PM me! :)

I was wonderin how long does it usually take for their visitin lists to be approved? My man was just senteced yesterday and will most likely be going to Dodge Mon. I haven't been able to see him in 4mos thanks to his po. I would love to get to see him for Christmas. What about kids are kids allowed.

It took me 3 days to get approved with Dodge's list. Kids are allowed. They have play-pens there for the younger ones. He needs to send you the form first, fill out and make sure that you send it to the right place (not directly back to him), and you hopefully should be approved.... but if his PO isn't letting you see him, why is that? Did you do a crime with him, or are a victim? You might not be allowed to see him then ????

No his po said i wasn't supposed to be living with him and since I was at the time it was a violation of his probation. But I don't know how it works now becuz we was thinkin that his probation will be over now since he has been sentenced. He was supposed to be off sept of this year and he was incarcerated july of this year. So hopefully I will get to see him. What about when he gets to prison Do po's still have the say so in visitors. I need all the info I can get on this.

My boyfriend just arrived at DCI yesterday, he has been sentenced to five years. I am also totally unfamiliar with the prison system. I saw from previous posts that A&E inmates are only allowed one, one-hour visit per week? I live in Hayward, Wisconsin and it takes almost five hours to get there, do they allow extended visits based upon this? Also, can someone tell me if my boyfriend is going to be with the general population? with violent offenders, murderers, etc.? I am really worried about him.

Yes they are only allowed 1, 1 hour visit a week and after 30 days they recieve a 2 hour visit. I don't believe they allow extended visits, I'm almost pretty sure they don't but you can try calling just to see. I'm not sure if he will be with the general population or not. My guy has not said anything about this so I am not sure, but I don't think they are but I could be wrong. They also only get 1 phone call a week. Try not to worry too much. I was worried at first too but my guy seems to be doing alright, in fact he talks about how he gets to play basketball for 1 hour a day during rec time. He loves his basketball!LOL

If you go to http://www.wi-doc.com/index_adult.htm and go to the bottom where it says "Institution visitors: The Division of Adult Institutions has procedures to follow when you visit an inmate. Please read them before making your visit." Click on that and there is a section on special visits.

Thanks for posting that site mybodycanvas. I guess I was wrong about extended visits, sorry. That information was helpful.

Thank you for the great info - at least knowing what is going to happen makes things a little easier. I've never even been to a prison before this is just so weird. Does anyone know if the approximate stay at Dodge is 3 months? Also, for a non-violent offender does anyone know where Dodge is sending them after A&E? Thanks.

The stay at Dodge is different for everyone. USUALLY the stay is between 6-8 weeks, but once they are moved to general population, they are going to be there for awhile. My friend has been there since 09/08/03 and we don't see him moving anywhere else anytime soon.

Stone ... they can send him anywhere. A non-violent offender can go to medium or minimum depending on how much time he has. Any of the prisons in Wisconsin are good choices. It all depends on how much time he has and what prisons have open beds. I have been doing this crap for 6 years now, and my friend has been moved all over. Oshkosh Correctional is by far the best prison that I have visited, and I have been to a lot of the ones here.

If they do get moved to general population, they get 4 phone calls per week and 3 visits per week (3 hours on weekdays, 2 hours on weekends). It's a pretty crappy place, but it's not horrible. Same old drama as every other prison. I am sure that everyone in there can handle their own, though.

Stonecrazy9;

I'm sure you are upset and worried about your boyfriend and I'm sorry for what you are going through. We have all been there, I have been dealing with this for 13 years and now I am totally numb. My husband has been to numerous prisons in Wisconsin and two in the federal system though he has always been a State of Wisconsin prisoner.

I'm sure you didn't mean to offend anyone when you said you were afraid your boyfriend would be put with violent offenders and murders, my husband is in for murder. He's a man who I love, he is kind, caring, loving and not a monster. I'm giving you this friendly advice please don't make this mistake when you go to the prison and talk to another family member, you never know what the person is in prison for and they might not be as nice as I was.

Violent offenders and murders have families, friends and members in this forum and out in the free world try to be sensative to them as you want people to be sensative to you.

I look forward to getting to know you I do wish the best for you and for your loved one!

I hope that we, the people of Wisconsin (I sound like the Constitution!!), can get to know each other better. All of us. Those of you who have yahoo, add me as a friend. We should talk and be there to support each other, and sometimes it helps knowing that we are just a short distance away.

Robin, you made a good point in what you said, and I agree that Stone was not trying to offend anyone.

Stone, I PM'd you and added you to my yahoo friend list! Can't wait to chat with you! Hoping that others will add me as their friends, too!!

Toughtimes;

I'm sure she is so upset, worried and confused right now that I know the words don't come out right. Heck I have been doing this so long and I still look for the right words. I'm just having trouble posting these days, going through a bit of my own depression. So much going on but yet it all seems to be taking so long.

The DA from Winnebago County who is being investigated by the FBI he is the one who tried my husband's case. We are just waiting for something to happen but it's not going fast enough for me.

So I hope everyone will understand if I'm slow in posting, I'm not ignoring anyone just trying to shake this mood!

Hugs!
Robin

Good luck with the case, Robin!!! We are always here for you if you need to talk!! :D
*hugs*

I agree with you toughtimes, those of us in wisconsin should get to know each other better. It does help knowing that someone is not far away. I added you to my friends list.

i just have to say that yesterday i drove all the way out to dodge to see my boyfriend and wouldnt you know, they closed visiting early because of martin luther king jr. day. I was kind of pissed off, waste of my time and money. Oh well, i will make it down there later on this week.
MissinMyC~

Sorry to hear that. I'd be more than kinda p*ssed off I'd be totally p*ssed off. LOL How far a drive is it for you? It's a little over an hour for me. I hear ya about the time and money though.

Yeah, thankfully my friend called me on Sunday and asked what time the visiting hours were at Dodge on Monday and they said holiday visiting hours. Missinmyc ... if you ever have questions about Dodge and visiting or whatever, just ask me. I go there 3 times a week, and have been visiting since September. Unfortunately, it's like my second home!!

Mizblack, thanks for adding me to your friends list. I will add you, too. Do you use the yahoo instant messenger at all?

i have yahoo instant messenger, my name on there is Sn0white442. I have only visited once, and i was freaked out there. I went yesterday, only to find it was closed. i should have called, but i just figured it was cool. I drive from Appleton. I wish i knew someone else who i could carpool with, its so annoying going out there alone, i've gotten lost both times, but lets just say if its not a big city, i cant find my way around. My boyfriend, chris, is still on the one hour visits once a week. also, i dressed really nice the time i visited, like nice black pants....i want to just wear my jeans and normal clothes, will the buttons on my jeans make the metal detector go off? i dont ever know what to wear! Last time i found myself taking off all my jewelry, i didnt know the rules, and i wear normally a lot of jewlery. i got a wireless bra tho, im goods on that. any litte tips would help me out, im new to all this. all the rest of my friends have no idea either. First time i ever had to deal with all this. thanks everyone. all of you guys are cool!
~Ashley

Toughtimes I added you too to my yahoo list. Yeah I use yahoo im when I'm on especially to talk to my mom who lives in another state. Was this the list you was talking about or is there another one? Maybe I did it wrong, let me know.

missinMyC I hear ya about not knowing what to wear. It's a debate for me every time. Almost all my clothes or shirts I should say would be considered NO-NO'S to the co's. So I usually end up wearing one of his. My jeans have never set the metal detector off though, but my shoes did once. I like to wear alot of jewelry too, but they only allow 2 rings, 1 chain, and 1 set of earrings, and no braclets, so I usually take it off before I even leave. I definatley am covered on the wire bra too. LOL Ohh and of course I gotta take my belt off too when I go thru.

HELP!!! Hey, its friday night, and i want to go to dodge to visit tomorrow morning (saturday), can someone tell me the visiting hours on the weekend? He has been there for the 30 days now. thanks!~
Ashley :) :) :)

missinMyC did you find out the hours for weekends? Just checking. You probably did since it's sat nite already. My guy has been there over 30 days. Now they get 2-2 hour visits a week. YAAAAY I'm so glad. I'm going to see him tomorrow.

Ashley, I hope that you got the PM that I sent with the visiting hours. On weekends, it's 8:15 am - 4:00 pm. I just added you, Ashley, to my yahoo messenger. And I did see you mizblack on there when you added me way back then. :) Sorry that we have not gotten to chat, things have been pretty busy around here. Must go to work now ... yeah.... :( Have great days Wisconsinites!!

I understand ToughTimes no problem. It must be in the air because I've been busy too. Seems like there just isn't enough time to get things done. We'll chat one day!! Until then take care and have fun at work!

My boyfriend is being transferred to Dodge here pretty soon. Does anybody know how long of a drive that is from Madison? Do you get searched when you go to visit? What clothes are unacceptable? This is so awesome that all you guys are in Wisconsin and that we can relate to each other and get to know each other!!! I'm new here and very happy I found this website. Thanks!

Sarah

Sarah,

I live on the far west side of Madison, and from my house to the prison driveway, it is exactly one hour. It will be less the more east you get. I don't know if you need directions, but it can't hurt .... Just take Hwy 151 all the way to Waupun. Take the Hwy M exit. Keep going straight on Hwy M until you see Dodge on your right hand side. It's very easy to get there.

When you go into the lobby, you will have to fill out a visitors form (which I have a supply of in my car, so I can have it all filled out by the time that I get there). If there are people there, you go over to the right side of the room and take a number. You sit and wait till your number is called. I go during the week mostly and there are hardly ever people in line, but weekends can get very busy. It's not so much that you have to wait forever to be signed in, but the visiting room is very busy and if they run out of room, we risk getting kicked out because they need more space. The people who have been on the visit would be getting kicked out, but that has never happened to me. When your number is called, you go up and give the guard your ID and the form. You fill out a log with your name and address, his name, and your relationship to him. You can wear one ring, one pair of earrings, and that's about it. You go through the metal detector ... and you get three chances. If you don't get through in three tries, you will be denied the visit. Then you put your keys and ID in the locker, and get your hand stamped, then walk through some doors, outside and to the visiting area. You have to turn on a light by the door to let the guards know that you are there, and they will come and let you in. Give them the form and they will tell you where to sit.

You can bring $10 in change (there are change machines in the lobby) for each adult. So if you have a friend visiting with you, you can bring $20.

As for clothes, I wear jeans all the time. That or nice dress pants. Don't wear anything too low cut, they might not let you in. Don't wear an underwire if you can help it, although they will let you take the bra off in the bathroom downstairs and put it back on. You will not get searched at all - just the metal detector.

I think that I answered all your questions and more..... so if you still need help, PM me! Looking forward to talking to you!!!

i went to dodge c prison and the rules has changed june1 2004.only family members can go see there love ones.one visit a week and one phone call a week.u can send mail letters cards.i have a boyfriend there and i cant even see him til he gets transfered and i am taking it really hard.its not far.

Hi, my fiancee is currently at Dodge Correctional, and I was wondering what are some of the things that are not acceptable to send in the mail? I know I can send in pictures, but no poloroids, and no stickers. However, I would like to be able to print him things out from the computer, such as a calender, or even pictures of our daughter, if anyone has any info on the mail rules there, I'd appreciate it! ;)

Well I'm pretty sure you can send pictures you have printed off the computer. I have sent my guy pillow mails printed off the computer and he got them fine. And he was at Dodge when I sent them. I have also put stickers on his letters and envelopes. I know you can't send envelopes or stamps, and pictures that are too revealing. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. My guy was in Dodge for 2 months.

i just sent my first letter on tuesday, i was just wondering if anyone knew how long it should take to get there, i live 3 1/2 hours away, as i was reading the visitation stuff, it said from 4 hours or 200 miles im 3 1/2 hours away and 174 miles, im pretty sure i wouldnt be able to have the special visitation hours would i? and i am under 18, if that matters any...i miss him so much im not sure i could make up a year and a half in one hour. im pretty sure even under 18 tho i can be added to his visitor list or child vistor list,,,that im confused about too...the clothing thing also confuses me, i want to just wear something i wear regularly, i dont want to dress up, jeans and a t shirt works for me, but will my jeans set of the alarm? sorry for all the questions but a some answers would be appreciated!! thanks

i just sent my first letter on tuesday, i was just wondering if anyone knew how long it should take to get there, i live 3 1/2 hours away, as i was reading the visitation stuff, it said from 4 hours or 200 miles im 3 1/2 hours away and 174 miles, im pretty sure i wouldnt be able to have the special visitation hours would i? and i am under 18, if that matters any...i miss him so much im not sure i could make up a year and a half in one hour. im pretty sure even under 18 tho i can be added to his visitor list or child vistor list,,,that im confused about too...the clothing thing also confuses me, i want to just wear something i wear regularly, i dont want to dress up, jeans and a t shirt works for me, but will my jeans set of the alarm? sorry for all the questions but a some answers would be appreciated!! thanks



Welcome to PTO... when they are in Dodge they can only get visits from immediate family. Wait until after he's been staffed and moved to the next facility... could take a few months. Depending on where you live the letter could take a couple days to reach him. However for him to reply he'll need stamps and envelopes... so you might want to look into sending him a little money on his books, get a money order and send to the address for money orders (sometimes different then mailing address). Otherwise he'll have to see if he can get one from someone inside..
When he's at a place you can visit, we'll revisit your clothing questions. :thumbsup:

They get to place one collect phone call per week but my fiance's didn't start right away, it took about a week and a half and it is only immediate family that can visit there. Also they only get two stamped envelopes when they get in and my fiance wasn't able to buy any more for about a week and a half even though he had money in his account sooner than that.

Just a suggestion... why don't you just write to him and send him a little money on his books so he can get stamps and envelopes to write back....

I don't have anyone at Dodge right now... so sorry

Just to clarify....
While an inmate is at Dodge doing A&E,.. only immediate family can visit. If he is staffed to general population at Dodge.. then anyone (after being approved on the visiting list) can visit. If he is staffed to another facility.. then again.. anyone (after being approved) can visit once he gets there.

My fiancee just left Dodge. You are not able to send stamps in the envelopes. They have their own stamps in there. He sent me a copy of the commissary sheet & things in there a pretty cheap. He said it is cool, but it's jail. He also said that they are allowed to do activities, which makes the time go by a little faster.

People are saying after the 6-8 week A&E they stay there a long time sometimes. I thought it was just til the assessment crap was done, then they moved them. Wisconsin prison's sound much worse than MN. Boyfriend says Dodge is awful. Son is at Moose Lake in MN now and he says it is the Hilton of prisons comparted to others.

People are saying after the 6-8 week A&E they stay there a long time sometimes. I thought it was just til the assessment crap was done, then they moved them. Wisconsin prison's sound much worse than MN. Boyfriend says Dodge is awful. Son is at Moose Lake in MN now and he says it is the Hilton of prisons comparted to others.


The assessment needs to be completed first, then they have to wait for an available bed or spot to move him to. I think my cousin was at Dodge for almost 3 months and then moved to a county jail for 90 days before going to an actual prison

Can anyone help me? My finace' was at MSDF in milwaukee. his probation got revoked and he only has like 4 months of revocation time. He was just transferred to dodge correctional. I called dodge but they said they only approve mother, fathers brothers or sisters to visit. But i keep reading that friends and girlfriends/fiancee's can visit. Anyone know the truth? I have a child with him and she hasnt seen him since march, will we be allowed to visit him?:(

Sorry, that is correct. :( You cannot see him unless you are married your baby can with a his parents or siblings. He will also have to send any people that he wants and are allowed on his list some background check forms. Those must be completed and sent back to Dogde, NOT to the inmate. Once they complete the check (about 2 weeks) then the visits can start. You can call Dodge to ask if babies mom's are allowed. They are always cool about any questions you may have. They are on Lincoln Street in Waupun

Sarah you better call to check. The rules had not changed as of last week. the ph# is (920) 324-5577 and press 0. They are very helpful with all questions you may have. Wives, Parents, Childre and siblings are all that are allowed to visit unless the inmate is part of General Population and most are there for A & E. You cannot send them stamps or envelopes, they are given 2 to start out and after 1.5 weeks they can buy from commissary. You can put money on their acct so they can purchase the envelopes and paper by sending to:
Dodge Correctional Institution
Inmate Name & DOC #
P.O. Box 800
Waupun, WI 53963

or you can write the inmate letters and regular photos (no polaroids) to the same excdept P.O. Box 700.

Good Luck & God bless you and yours