I find this website both comforting and scary. My dad will be entering Concord State Prison this week for a 2.5 year sentence. He is 66 years old. It is expected he'll be in minimum security, but not definite. I'm scared and would appreciate any comments you might have regarding what to expect. I fear for his safety in relation to other inmates. What should I know about his safety? I'm also trying not to get my hopes up that he will have an early release with the new bill...how often do people really get out early? Lastly, what is the best thing I could do to keep his spirit alive?

Thanks for any responses you might have. This is a wonderfully supportive website.

P

My man was in concord for 15 years before being sent to Trenton State prison the up to berlin ( 20 years total ) He should be just fine,I'm not sure of the clemency bill would help him since he only has 2 and a half years but i'm not positive..Write him send him cards and visit as often as you can.I'll keep him in my prayers

Hello and welcome ! :) My ex - husband was just sent to Concord State prison last week . He is currently serveing a sentence of 17 - 40 years .
When the inmates first enter the prison , they go to what is called R and D . They run medical tests and gather info on the inmates while they are in there . The inmates can spend up to 2 months in R and D . They do have phone access in R and D , but it is limited access while they are in R and D . Your Dad can put you on his phone call list and your phone number will be verified and , after they do that , he can call you . That should'nt take very long , less than a week .
Once your Dad knows his inmate i.d. number , he can write to you and you can write to him . You MUST know his inmate i.d. number before you can write to him , because you will need to put that number on the envelope when you address any mail that you send to him .
As for visits , they will give your Dad a form that he can send to you . You fill out the form ( it's a real short , simple form ) and then you send the form back to your Dad and he gives it to the appropriate person in the prison . They will run a criminal background check on you , which will take about 2 weeks . As long as you don't have any criminal record , there should'nt be any problems in your getting approved to visit him . They will put you on your Dad's approved visitor's list . Please note that until your Dad is out of Quarentine , which is what they are in until they are medically cleared , he will NOT be able to have visits from ANYONE . Once he is out of Quarentine , he can have visits .
As far as his saftey , if your Dad is threatened , he can request to be put in Protective Custody . If he is put in P.C. , he will ONLY be around other men who are in P.C. as well . He can be put in P.C. while he is under Quarentine and in R and D , if it becomes necessary . I completely understand your concern for your Dad's saftey . I am VERY concerned for my ex - husband's safety .
I don't really know much about the whole bill thing . Perhaps you could call your Dad's lawyer and ask him ?
You could also check out the Concord State prison website . They have a LOT of info about the prison and about mail , phone calls and visits , too . I have found thier website to be very helpful . You can also call the prison if you have any other questions . I have done this several times and have found them to be courtious and helpful .
I agree with timsbaby . Write a lot to him , send him cards and visit him as much as you are able to . And , of course , phone calls are great , too :) .
I have already gotten a letter from my ex - husband , know his inmate i.d. number , gotten cleared so he can call me ( which he has ) and he sent me the visitation form . And it all happened in the first week that he's been there :) .
I'm new to all this , too . But I'm learning as I go along ..
Try to take it 1 day at a time . That's what I'm trying to do right now . And know that your not alone in all this now that you are here .

Feel free to PM me anytime , if you want to .

Phoebe7,
Your father will be fine. Most inmates are protective and respectful towards older inmates, the ones who aren't, have to face the ones who are! You have gotten some really good tips here so far, and I'd like to add one more. Tell your father that with 2 years or less left on his sentence, he will be qualified for Administrative Home Confinement (A.H.C.). In most cases, that would require him to wear an electronic ankle-bracelet and be subject to a curfew and sometimes home inspections.
Listen, the bottom line is that he can serve most of his time home, where he belongs.
Have him contact a counselor, as soon as possible. The process can take a month or two, and it's much like filling out an application for a parole plan. In fact, your father will be assigned a parole officer. He will need a place to go, such as his own home, apartment, or even with a relative. A halfway house is harder to find, because of the long wait. He will need two separate phone lines, because the box for the ankle-bracelet has to have it's own line. But that's basically it.
Your father will be assigned a counselor when he arrives in R&D. So again, make sure to tell your dad to ask a counselor about A.H.C., as soon as possible. Thoughts and prayers are w/you, your family, and of course your father too.
cac~

phoebe7,
The answers here are all great. A big thing is get his medical needs tended to first. Dental work or glasses anything like that because it is a whole different issue when he's in to get anything like that. I wish I would have known that prior to.
The only other thing I would suggest is getting in touch with IC Solutions the phone system company and see about getting your phone set up to take calls. A land line can get collect calls but cell phones can't. You have to prepay for the calls. I remember the first call from R&D was a 30 second 'courtesy' call then a recording to set up an account. It was great to get the call but to short to get any info. Your dad will only be out for a short time each day and if he gets to a phone and you can't talk it really stinks. I think we need to hear their voice as much as they need to hear ours. Good luck and keep the faith.