First question is who is eligible for R.I.D. and does it help with cutting time?
Next is about the phones left in the cars. I don't understand. If it is in my car and not brought in what does it matter what I have? What isn't allowed to be in my car? Do they search the cars?
My third question is that I am not considered immediate family, and of course we are not married. Are there any allowances made for "close friends" when family isn't around? I have heart trouble. If something happened to me would my inmate be given any privileges for visitation or funeral. Would she even be offered grief council by the chaplin? Our biggest fear is that I won't make it till she is released.

First question is who is eligible for R.I.D. and does it help with cutting time? Not sure who is eligible. There is lots of reading on MDOC website so info might be there. Participation does cut time.
Next is about the phones left in the cars. I don't understand. If it is in my car and not brought in what does it matter what I have? Because cameras are contraband and considered accessories for possible escape attempt. Not eveyone has innocent intentions when visiting. The few spoil for the majority. What isn't allowed to be in my car? No cameras, no weapons or anything that can be construed as a weapon (box cutter, tools, even a plastic knife, no mace, no drugs..long long list actually. Do they search the cars? Absolutely!
My third question is that I am not considered immediate family, and of course we are not married. Are there any allowances made for "close friends" when family isn't around? I have heart trouble. If something happened to me would my inmate be given any privileges for visitation or funeral. No Would she even be offered grief council by the chaplin? Ask the Chaplain's office about that one. Great question. Our biggest fear is that I won't make it till she is released.

Sorry to hear you are not well and having to go through all this.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. In addition to reading posts here, you will find a wealth of good information on the MDOC website.

Lynzww.. CMCF in Pearl MS is where this person is located? If so then camera cells are now allowed to be in your glove box in your car turned off. Sorry you are not well. Wishing you the best.

lynzww-
i recently began visiting a female inmate at CMCF , to answer a few questions:

Yes, may car was searched, the first gate is the only car search, all visitors are asked to step out of car and open trunk. The Guards do a visual check, may move a few things around in the truck or back seat, nothing to shocking. I had some normal items in the car, umbrella, my notepad, some portable lawn chairs in trunk, etc. No issues with that.

cell phone: I had my phone in my pants pocket, which is where it is when not in use most of the time, i turned it off once on grounds and left it in my car while visiting.

No jewelry besides a wedding ring and/or religious necklace or such.

Take in only cash for the snacks and your id card ONLY.

If you plan to purchase the snacks take correct change. These contain only cokes - ice and water inside. Bags are $5 each.

Id checked and computer checked based on person names you are visiting to verify you are " valid permitted visitor".

At this same step, keys are left w/ 2nd guard upon entry and sign in of your name and inmate visited name. You are given a token for your keys later for retrieval.

Entry thru scanner. Females and male are asked to step into a private room and are searched by m/f officers respectively. Nothing upsetting just stand stuff. SLip on shoes are a good idea.

about the reason I am replying-- My friend has requested to see the champlain over 5 times in the last mths and has not been called to see him/her. THIS Is not acceptable. So good luck with that if your loved one needs one.

Hope this helps in your journey and feel better soon!

just for clarification; I-care, I go visit out at CMCF every other Sunday (except when there is a 5th Sunday in the month) and I had to bring my phone back home because it had a camera in it. This was just recently so unless something has changed in the last few months, I don't think cell phones that have cameras in them are allowed! Maybe someone knows something I don't; if so, please advise because I'm not comfortable leaving home without my phone but thankfully I live right here in Pearl so it's not that big of a deal!

Thanks!

I am not sure but it has been about 6 mths that we HAVE been allowed to have our camera phones in the car at CMCF when we visit. Phones cut off and in glove compartment. I am wrting an email to MS Bingham to be sure I am right. I visit this Sunday and need to know if rules changed again. I was there 4 weeks ago this Sunday and all was okay at that time. I will post as soon ( or if she answers my email).....If not I will email Mr. Epps and see if I can get an answer.

I-Care, did you ever find out the answer on the camera phones at CMCF?? I am visiting this weekend and would like to know.....thanks!!

HI Meloo!

cell phones are not allowed once you park and proceed to the visit bldg. I have had my phone in my pouch on my waist at the entrance point / ( car search), w/ it already turned off. Then i leave it in my car when I park and walk to visit. So no phone of any kind allowed in the visit premises at all would be my guess.

I will be visiting Sunday am , when will you be there?

I think the confusion here is the camera in the cell phone; if your cell phone has a camera then they won't allow it. That's the last information I've had on it and it does clearly say no cameras -- so be prepared that if your phone has a camera (and depending on the mood of the people doing the search), they may not allow you to bring your phone on grounds at all. If someone has more up to date information, that would be great to know!

I never received a reponse about the camera phone but I know 2 months ago the rules had changed about this and they were allowed. I will try again and work from another avenue to get a solid answer. Sorry I have been awol from here but helping with grand chlidren. New baby has been in Ped. ICU twice in a couple of weeks.

The reponse I received was for Deputy Winkel to contact me via email about this issue. No email from Deputy Winkel. Next options was to call CMCF so I will do this a little later in the morning after their shift change.

I have called twice and can not get the "gaurd shack K-9" people who the operator said could answer that question or Deputy Winkel. Will keep trying folks. I need to know because I am traveling there EARLY in the morning. My phone is a camera phone and has been okay at all visits for awhile now.

Thanks I-care, you do take such good care of us all!! Msearp99, I was supposed to go today (sat) for visitation from 830-12, but ended up working late last night and got home with a migraine. So my sweetie said for me to stay home and rest, he will see me next time. He hates the invasive search they have to go thru to get visitation, so he doesn't get too upset if he doesn't see me every time. Also, he mentioned that one of the other inmates told him they were having music and dancing the last two weeks during visitation?? Anyone heard about that? He said they told him it was so loud that you could hardly hear the person talking that was visiting you and several people had complained.....I find that totally bizarre that they are having dancing at visitation......

I just heard from Deputy Winkel and camera phones are okay ( CMCF) to bring in your car but of course must be locked in car to go to visit. Deputy Winkel will be there tomorrow if there are any problems as per the email. Hope this helps. Appologizing if any one had problems in last month or so because they changed this rule several months ago to allow camera cell phones to be in our cars.

"meloo"...I am going today and I sure hope we do not have "music and dancing". It is hard enough to hear and talk to our love one's with the normal noise level. This is really strange.