ok...its been a lil bit since i have posted but working and school does that to one's time. anyways. i have read oh so much "good" stuff about gowanda. and it's already started with my baby. been there almost a month, and already he's been threatened by co's and one of the head honcho guys too. he wanted me to call the inspector general but thankfully i didn't. i sent a package of sneakers, shirts and workout gloves. forgot the receipt but prices were on them. he got all but the sneakers and i called asking what i should do and when he went down there to fill out the form to mail them back to me, they harassed him and gave him a hard time cause the man i spoke to asked if i would be on a visit and i said not for a little while. so it was the "ha ha your girl ain't coming to see you" he wants me there on a visit soon, it's only 3 1/2 hours away. but after reading all the "nice" things about the visits and recently too, i'm scared to death. my baby is the type that thinks he is untouchable, been in and out for the last 12 years for violations of parole mostly. so that makes me uneasy cause he's very touchy feely. also he wants naughty pics, just panties and bikinis and such. anyone who knows the deal on gowanda's policies PLEASE tell me i'd greatly appreciate. thanks for all the support.

Hi,
What kind of photos he can have may depend on whether he is in a program there or not.
It's a very tough place. My guy is a long timer, no trouble kind of guy and he really stresed out there.
I never had problems with the visits, though, other than the lonnnnng processing.
We DID have to restrict our hugging/kissing some. Not 'do without' entirely but had to temper it down to go unnoticed.

I am sure Roc city girl can give you more details. My guy was there 7 1/2 months and it was 7 1/2 months too long!! sigh ha

If you've got documentation of anything that is happening wrong, you might want to hold on to it. Some ARE asking for an investigation of the place.
On the bright side, they put in a new warden and there are somer eports that some things are getting a bit better.
The best way for your guy to get through is to keep his own counsel and NOT get into anything with any of the COs.
Good luck
Caprione

As far as pictures go, you can send in pics of you in panties and bras. Not naked pictures though. I do it all the time and they don't have a problem, as long as i'm not naked. Gowanda is awful, but you know what, pay them no attention. MY fiance is very short tempered and a little hot headed, even though we both know that it's not for the best, he refuses to let the CO treat him any way they choose. I do complain. Some people say it shouldn't be done, but I refuse to let them treat him badly. Visiting can be horrible, but it's all worth it.

-Tanya

thanks for all the info. it definitely helps a LOT in knowing what to expect so i don't go in with unrealistic expectations. the co's at oneida county jail had somethings against him so i'm somewhat knowledgeable of how they can be, that and i actually dated a couple co's before shane. how i went from them to a felon is beyond me, but i love him more than life so it doesn't matter!

mu husband sayss that the co are just down right nasty, he just does what he has to so that he sdoesn't get any tickets and can get out on good behavior.

Hi Y'all, He is in Gowanda (as of today) I am in Florida....so I won't be able to visit...I am getting a package together for him and I am having some things sent directly from a catalog....ok here is the first of my many many questions...will he be allowed to receive mail immediately? When will he be able to write or call? I bought green flannel sheets to send him is that gonna' be ok? I am so annoyed....I also bought him a green towel only to discover that institutional green is the happening color but not in towels....Why? I know it doesn't matter.I am just curious/nosey? He wants a watch cap...I am in Florida and don't see em in the stores here...anybody know where to order one from...I know these are petty questions but they are BIG to me as I want him to be as comfortable as he can be....Thanks for being out there I read every post, even things that don't apply directly to us....just because it is a comfort to me....Oh I just thought of yet another question...I was reading the bio/history of Gowanda and it makes it sound as if there are multiple classes vocational and other wise available, does anyone have the scoop on that??? Thanks again.....Judy

my husband is in the asat program. Be careful what you send and make sure that you also send receipt with everything. Other wise it costs them to send it back. Gownada is just not a nice place. My husband is so depressed beogh there that all he wants to so is to be transferred out of ther.

Thanks Hanksmom for posting a reply I appreciate every bit of information I can get..though I am sad for you that your husband is there it is a comfort to me to read your posts and helps me know what is going on...when you say send receipts...do you mean even for little items like a hairbrush, soap, a sweatshirt?? What is the ASAT program or how/where could I find out about it....it worries me to read all of the negative posts about Gowanda..I hope all goes well for your man and that he is soon transferred out of there...my man goes before the parole board 8-28-04 at least that is what is says on the internet...????..Thanks again....Judy

hi judy Just to be safe send all the receipts. If they don't see them they may send them back. I tried to send my husband gravy and one time they said that they could have it and one time they said that he couldn't. I sent him t shirts and they didn't ask for a receipt but there was a brand new tag on it. The asat program if for drug offenders its suppose to help them get more merit points to get out early. There is also the casat program which is a six month work release prgram. You take this program for six months and then you either go to a half way house or home. You have to work and report everyday. This is also for non violent drug offenders, except this one has to be approved by a parole commity and its very hard to get into if you have prior offenses. Well good luck and pm me anytime if you need more information.