Does anyone have a mother, sister or friend in Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka Alabama?

thought this would get more attention in the Alabama forum.:)

Hi Taterbaby and Welcome to PTO. I have a daughter who has been in Tutweler up until 2 weeks ago. She was just recently moved down the hill. She was there from May until November.

GSPack

Welcome Taterbaby...I have had two very close friends that were at Tutweler....

Do you have a loved one there?


Denise

Welcome to PTO, Taterbaby.

I have a friend at tutwiler.

Patti

Thank you very much for switching my post. I am new at this and I guess I was not thinking about that..lol.. Yes I have a loved one in Tutwiler. She is my Mother In Law and has been there for almost 11 years. Who else has someone there? If you would like to chat to me my other email addy is (e-mail address removed per PTO policy - member may be contacted via Private Messaging on PTO). I am usually on during the night around 9 or 10 and into the night. Happy Holidays to everyone....xoxo

I was at Tutwiler and also down the hill at the Annex which was then a Work Release Center. From 1999 to 2001. I left behind many friends. As a matter of fact I got a card from a girl there today.

Kt

I was just released from Tutwiler last month after a three year stay there. I know and correspond with many of the ladies there, as some have grown to be like family to me, and i them. Feel free to pm me, or email me....

oops.. Like I said I am new to this..lol.. If anybody would like to email me about their stay or their family members stay at Tutwiler then just email me the details. My Mother In Law is presently there under life w/o. Some of you that are home now may know her. Check my profile for my email addy and hopefully we can get this crap taken care of before too long. Happy Holidays to all and may God keep you in His Heart. Tonya

Hey guys, im a 15 year old male in Shelby co, AL. My mom was recently moved to Tutwiler Prison. She has a Seven year sentence for selling 5 oxycotin pills. Her "short - term" release date is March, 2006. Can anyone with someone in Tutwiler please tell me what it is like, i.e. the visting, phone, conditions, etc. I would appreciate it. Thanx...

Hi Wonder..Welcme to PTO kiddo. For now depending on how loong it will take to get her in a dorm, she is in receving and the first order of busineess for her is to set up her [phone list, visitor list, and money order list. I am not sure how long they will make her wait in reciviening to call you from there, but yoou can write her now as long as you have her AIS#. She must have all information from you and your family such as SS#, Drivers License #/ID Card # with picture for each person she puts o her visitation list. Not sure what the age is for Brth Certificates for those not old enough for DR. Lic. Once she is in main population, she can call whenever they let them call, my calls are only 15 min. long and cost 6.25 each. She has turned right around and called me right back we are not done. The dorms are crowded, but not as bad as before, they also have much better health care.
Once her list is approved you can start sending her postal money orders to put on her books(be sure u write in her letter the # of it and how much you sent) and stamps only(write that in there 2.I use a small piece of tape and stick them to the envelope so they dont fall out) She will aalso send you her visiting day as soon as she can, as they will be every two weeks and alternate Sat/Sun. Be sure you follow her instructions on dress code as the guards will turn you away, maybring something extra to change into if you are not sure. Hope this helps and hope she comes home soon.

GSPack

thanx for the info. She was moved into population today. Can you tell me about the visiting hours? Like how long we get to stay? She has already got written up, because some women were smoking in the bathroom, and she was using the bathroom, and they got cought, and she got in trouble too. They said to tell them who it was, but she didnt, she said she doesn't need enemies. So now she can't call until January, and I don't know if they will let her have her "christmas box" we sent her. Let's keep in touch, i need all of your help.

thanx again.

Welcome to PTO, Wonder! I know this has got to be a tough time for you with your Mom's situation, and just wanted to welcome you and let you know we're very glad you are here with us! :)

We have a thread on visitation in Alabama prisons and have found that, maybe not all but most of, the visitation rules and regulations are more or less the same at all of the prisons so you might want to thumb thru it when you get a chance, it's here:

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7056

GSPack will probably be able to help you out shortly about the visiting hours...

I'm betting she probably will be able to get her Christmas box, a writeup like that is not usually cause for something like that to get denied. Will keep fingers crossed for you about that.

Hang in there, I know it's not easy dealing with all this prison mess but PTO and the Alabama folks will certainly be here when you need us - welcome again to PTO, glad you found us! :)

Lys

Hi wonder, Sorry to hear of your Mom's mishapp. This happens often with the smoking situation so just bear with it. A citation and disciplinary are 2 diffrent thngs so she may still get her box. Visitation hours are in the mornings( my daughter's friend gets there about 7am) and can last about 4hrs(she will write you I am sure) you can take in about 15$ in silver change(no bills) in a clear zipper case, your car key/id. No lighters or cigarrttes(u have to buy them out of the machines). They sometimes let the inmate take a few things back to thier bunks. Hope I've helped you.

GSPack

Thanx for all your help. My dad talked to someone about parole. They said to send a bunch of letters from everybody about my mom to Bill Segrest, the director of the parole board. So we did. Does anybody know anything about this parole process?

Also, I was wondering, when we visit, it's not like we have the glass between us like the county, do we get to kiss and hug, and her play with the baby, etc.?

It is open visitation but i think they only lt you hug the first time once and that is it. Whose baby is it? f its not hers i m not sure if you will be allowed to bring a baby...anyonne know here? Wonder, my daughter told me last night to be sure to tell you for everyone NOT to wear anything WHITE.! Try and wear dark clothes. Even cream color may be turned back. As to the money thing a total of $30 in change only will be allowed. Be sure you have a copy of your birth certificate and one for the baby too! As to the parole part your mom will get a time sheet and it will tell her when she will be elegible for a possible hearing set date. Usually most inmates have to serve 1/3 of ther total sentence bfore they can get a hearing .

GSPack

about the visitation--a helpful tip for visiting tutwiler is to try to be there as early as you can-they don't stop letting visitors in until about noon, but the food in the vending machines goes really fast, and if the visitor arrives late, then the inmate will have only a few choices of food from whatever is left in the vending machines. Unlike the men's prisons, tutwiler's visitation machines are oly stocked once a week.
Also, concerning the 1/3 sentence before parole is possible, that means that if your loved one has a ten year sentence, for example, then she will EOS (end of sentence) in a third of that time (40 months). EOS is not parole, it is completion of the sentence. However, the parole board likes for inmates to complete at least a third of the time it will take to EOS--in our example, a ten year sentence that EOS' in 40 months will usually get a guideline setting parole date after about 1 1/2 years...the best and quickest way to get a loved one a parole date is to keep calling the parole board. Parole dates are not always set and put on the time sheet, and if the Board is made aware that there is someone on the outside who cares enough to try, they will be quicker to set the date...phone calls accomplish this demonstration of commitment to your loved one's homecoming.

Does anyone know when/if they are still planning on having everyone retruned from Louisiana? I saw the lawsuit update while i was still in prison that stated that the gov. promised to have them all back here within 6 months, but yet as recently as last week, they are still taking more females to Lousiana. Any info anyone may have would by appreciated greatly!!!

Well, the baby is her grandson. And on her time sheet, her short term release is march '06. Will she get out then? That is a third of her sentence. Someone told me that if she doesn't get in any trouble, that is when she will be released.

if her short term release is March '06, that means as long as she doesn't get into any trouble that would cause her to lose her good time (i.e., disciplinary action) then yes, she will EOS her sentence then....that means she won't be on parole or anything, she'll be free as a bird!! However, she may be eligible for parole before that date, and if so, anyone who calls the parole board continually will be told when her date for that is.

hey wondermut--in response to your post about the letters to the parole board, i would have to caution you. though this truly is a good way to get the Board's attention, it has been my experience that phone calls and appearances tend to get their attention better. When they get the letters down there, they are seldom even read, only put into the inmates file until needed...my family got me out be basically bugging the parole board every day-always polite, of course, but persistent to the point of becoming something of a nuisance...!!!So, i would recommend that you do both--, it will demonstrate to them that you have a dedicated family that really wants you home!!!!

You know Imortalsoul that is a great pice of advice..I had not thought about that as far as they answer the phones so much and they are talking to this person and that person and so forth, no0t to mention lookinbg over inmates files..how would they find time to read letters thoroughly.

GSPack

What do I say when I call them???

Wondermut...Happy New Year!
So far from your posts you already done the basic things. What your Mom needs to do right now is take all the classes they offer her and do great in them.Esp a GED if she does not have one and the Drug program that they will require.. The sooner she completes these the better off she is. From what you have said so far in your post as to the calling the parole board until she has some of these classes under her belt..may take a few months she just might get on the early release docket by the end of this year.
Start now and compile all the character references from business men/women that know your mom, places of employment that would/will be willing to put her to work once she is released. If she belongs to a church, get the Minister to write a letter of reference also. Start a notebook and put these in it and get all you can from neighbors to friend that have know her a long time. Add to this all her completion certificates as she earns them. When you go before the parole board you can take these for the baord to look at, the more positive things the better. No sense running up your phone bill for calls to Montgomery right now..Save them for her calls home.

Hope this helps you!

GSPack

Well, when i actually do call the parole board, what do i say to them???

Okay, lets see if I can answer that one..I guess the first thing I would ask is.."Can you tell me, based on her sentence when her first chance for a parole hearing would be." That is how much time will they expect her to serve to become elegible"...Next question would be: "Can you tell me what kind of documents you think will help her in her chance to get a parole?" In other words based on the reason for conviction, what programs do you feel would help her? What do you require for a "good Home Plan for us to set in place in the event she would get to come home?" If she has fines that are part of her judgement...would it help if it was paid?" I am not saying you and your family should pay them, but the lady might just tell you something different.

I hope these answer your question.

GSPack

Hi I new to this my daughter was sent toTutwiler just last week someone told us it could be up to 8 weeks before we seeher is this true?

Welcome to Alabama Forums and to PTO Debbie. I am not really sure, but it is usually 4 to 6 weeks before visitation. The girls go thru and orientation and are classified and then put into population (dorms) according to their security levels. They are also tested to see if they need classes and or GED's Drug Classes and can also be assigned daily jobs to keep them busy.
Visitation is set up 2wice a month and alternates Sat one week and Sun the next visitation. She will get her schedule and her 1st date and can mail it to you. You will need to get to her your personal information, name, SS# DOB and if she has kids you must bring birthcertificate and SS# if they have one.
She will have a phone list and visitation list to fill out so if she dosn't have this information ASAP you need to go ahead and mail it to her now! And it takes the prison anywhere from 2-4 weeks to get it approved. All you need on her letter is her AIS #..if you dont know that call the DOC and ask for the Records Department. The numbers are listed in the first thread above the prisons I think or in the All you Need to know about Alabama Prisons.

Under the forum "Parents with Children in Prison" I started a thread "Mom's (&Dads) with Daughters in Prison" So please come and join us there. Tell us your daughters story. You will recieve a warm welcome anywhere you go on PTO. And if you dont find the information you need, just start a new thread with your Question as the title. You can then elaborate in your post box.

I will post the URL in the next reply for you so all you have to do is click it and it will take you there directly. Read as much as you can. I have been here for 4 yrs and I have not even touched the surface of PTO and its Magnatude of posts.

((((HUGS)))))

Alabama Granny

Debbie

Here is the main Forum Welcome to Parents with Children in Prison:

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20790

And here is the one for Moms with Daughters in Prison:

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43018

Hope these give lots of info on how to deal with your situation and I am sure you will find that you are by far not the only 1 going thru the very same thing.

Thanks to you all ,I am still having a hard time with this so thanks to you all for listening. Debbie54

I have a friend at Tutwiler. We lived together but not involved. We just occupied the same cage. We were arrested April 2003 for manufacturing. I was given 10 years; her 20 because it was her second time. I just did 18 months teaching math at Ventress and now have been home and working for nearly two years. She is still inside. She can't stay out of trouble; her time sheet is three pages long. She gets involved with the troublemakers and God knows what else. I have been writing for years, sending money and stamps and getting her home plan together. She comes up for her third try next April. That will make it five years locked up. She's just 26 with her whole life ahead of her, but just won't listen to reason.

I work with the church and the chaplain's office at our local hopital. I don't put a religious trip on her, just try and make her believe in herself. I just don't know what else to do. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks Alabama Granny I am also a Granny but all 8 of mine call me Mama D I became a Grandmother at 32 and I was pregnant also but it was wondeful becoming a granny and mama they are 3 weeks apart a hand ful now please pray for them and me . Mama D

Youre more than welcome Debbie...anytime you need us we are always around here to help. You are in my prayer tonight!

Edgar have faith in God that he will work out a plan for your friend. And to assure you that if she make parole she will be required to attend LIFE tech just the otherside of the prison. Hopefully she will get the guidance she needs. Add her to the Birthday Card and Christmas card list and you will be amazed at how this changes the attitudes. Find a post by BSS and PM her and give her your friend's birthday and address. I will put her in my prayers too!

((((HUGS))))

Alabama Granny

Thanks for the kind words Granny, but I'm a little in the dark about your abbreviations. What is BSS and PM. Also how do I get on the Christmas card list, she should be out before her next birthday............Edgar

PM stand for private message and BSS is a moderator. The link to her profile is http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/member.php?u=430 you can PM her about the christmas card list

Your are Awesome Blueyez...Thanks mucho..should have realized I needed to include directions....Forgive me for my Senior Moment....


Alabama Granny

Yes i had a cousin there and I have had a few friends come home from there.