I have not been sentenced yet but have been told by lawyer that I am looking at 67-89 months FED time. I have 4 prior felonies which were all state, and all received at the same time. Does anyone have any information about what a Federal Camp is or what type of facility I might be headed to?

Angela

Classification in BOP depends on the nature of the charge, previous felonies; lets call the rest unspecified variables. So, classification gets you in camps, for instance if you are low you will end up in the camp. Do not let the word camp mislead you into thinking that this will be a breeze. However, camps are a bit more manageable than medium and high level facilities. You should expect "out of bounds" signs instead of razor wire, you should expect no control movements, and relaxed rules. Because of the seemingly relaxed environment a lot of people think it's a joke and get themselves in deeper trouble than they ever thought of. My advice is try and get a good job.
Familiariaze yourself with the legal library, make yourself really valuable to other inmates so respect will set in and noone will play games with you. Be cool. Be well. Peace.

Maria

Classification in BOP depends on the nature of the charge, previous felonies; lets call the rest unspecified variables. So, classification gets you in camps, for instance if you are low you will end up in the camp. Do not let the word camp mislead you into thinking that this will be a breeze. However, camps are a bit more manageable than medium and high level facilities. You should expect "out of bounds" signs instead of razor wire, you should expect no control movements, and relaxed rules. Because of the seemingly relaxed environment a lot of people think it's a joke and get themselves in deeper trouble than they ever thought of. My advice is try and get a good job.
Familiariaze yourself with the legal library, make yourself really valuable to other inmates so respect will set in and noone will play games with you. Be cool. Be well. Peace.

Maria

I appreciate the advice. I think that I am at a leval 28, whatever that means. I do not know if I will qualify for a camp. So many questions...so little time. Again, thanks for the advice.

The BOP are the ones who determine whether or not you are "cam eligible". The judge can make a recomendation for you, but the BOP does not have to follow the judges recomendation. Not all federal prison camps are the same. Some are defineatly better than others. With a level 28 and a 67-89 mo sentence, the BOP propbably won't send you to a camp immediately. I know guys who used that time and put in for "educational" or "vocational" trade transfers to get down to Egland, Fl. because they have a program where they teach small engine repair. I hear that is also a decent camp.

I was a level 28 and did go to a camp. They really aren't too bad. And yes, do try to find yourself a good job. I was very fortunate in that area, at one camp I was a law librarian and another I was a GED tutor. Good luck to you and hang in there, one day it will be over!!!

I know what you mean Lil One, I too am waiting to be sentenced and this is my first time going to Feds or any prison. My level is 17 and I am looking at 24 - 30 months with a 3 year parole. So my family and I are going through it right now (stressing). I wish I at least knew where I was going so that I can check into it. In the meantime all I can do is wait.

Someone asked me today for some info on Victorville and Phoenix. I thought it would be helpful to many if I posted this publically. I don't have much info about Victorville yet because my mom just got there on 2/26. Please feel free to ask me anything. I know that it was really hard for us to find info prior to her going and I am glad to help out anyong.
My mom said that Victorville feels more like a prison. They lock the doors at night. The only job available right now is cleaning the men's facility on the compound because they are refurbishing it. The women are locked in there during the day and evern eat their lunches there. The food though in Victorville is 100% better. Victorville was built to hold 254 and they have close to 300 women there. She has heard that the guards are nicer though and actually care.
I have been to Phoenix and it looks like 2 story college dorms. The rooms all have thin windoes, about 2 feet wide. They have walls between the room, cinder block walls with the front wall being only 4 feet high. There are not enough toilets or showers. When my mom left there were 30 extra people there, sleeping on beds in the hall. There is a running track that is paved, a volley ball court, outside pool table, outsid weight set. There is also and inside weight set. The tv is very small, 13 inches and had bad reception. There is some grass but they aren't allowed to sit on it.
In both places people are able to pay for 300 minutes of phone use per month. The calls are never more than 15 min. My mom had her first full body search when she got there. They wear green clothes. I can't remember exactly what the uniform is that they are given but they have to buy their own tennis shoes, shorts, t-shirts, sweats, deodorant, tampons and some stuff like that. I have a copy of the Phoenix commissary list that I will try to type up and post so you can see what is available there. My mom said it looks like there is more available in Victorville.
Plan on taking some cash or a money order. My mom I think took $500 and that got her going. Many people buy lots of junk food and can easily go through $200 a month. My mom doesn't eat junk food and so she is able to stay around $100-$125 per month but it is good to have some extra for "buying favors" with others and being able to buy cookies or things like that when the cravings hit.I have a picture of the entrance to the Phonix camp. It is too big right now to post here but I will try to make it smaller and post it. Until then, feel free to contact me and I will e-mail it to anyone who would like to see.
This truly is a burden on the family as much if not more than the inmate. I think that it is harder for those of us who are home to adjust.