I want to visit and ex husband at gowanda, i have never been there or to any prison. I dont know what to expect. can you help.

You will need photo ID, it's good to take two proofs of ID the first time you go.

Gowanda has a very large processing center. You arrive as early as possible,generally, you will be waiting a long time. Hour to two hours
At G you pick up two forms, on your way in the door, when you go for the first time. One is a long form that asks for a lot of identifying information, the other is a shorter form. After the first visit, you will only need to do the short form.
Fill those out and wait for the number (on the top corner of the short form) to be called. Wyhen they call you, you go to a desk,lthey do the first part of the processing. If you need a locker, you get it at this time. Also if you take any package stuff in for the inmate, you show it at this time and they take it.
Then you wait some more, when called, and go into another area for a check of ID and then the metal detector. It's just walking through like at the airports. You can't take a reular purse in,you can only take money and ID.
Once you pass the metal detector (an underwire bra would set it off, metal hair pins, jewelery, watch, shooes could all set it off. Usually people removve thsoe items and place in a tray before they go through the detector.)
When you pass the detector, they will stamp your hand (it only show sunder ultraviolet light), you wave the hand under a machine and then go outside and get on a small van, the van drives you over to the visitor center, once there you show your paper, wave your hand under antoher machine, put down money for the inmate or money for pictures and then go through metal doors and outside a very short distance and back into antoher building. The visiting area. There you show them the paper, they give you an assigned seat, card table size and four chairs and you can sit across from or next to the inmate. He has to sit facing the nearest guard station. The inmate arrives 10 or 15 minutes after you get into the visit area.
You need lots of $1 and change for the food amchines. Food choices are decent enough, it's very large, busy, noisy, no walkng around except to go to the bathroom or the machines or up for photos.
they are pretty strict on what they allow in in packages.
We never got hassled during a visit but we were very cautious and we did see others get hassled by the COs. If the rooms get overcrowded and more visitors are wiating to come in, they will terminate visitors who live closer first ( 50 miles, 125 miles, etc)
It was ok as far as visits go.
Caprione

hi my husband is at gowanda. The visits aren't really that bad as long as you stick to the rules. Do not get to close. When I was there last time this couple was a little to close and they made him go in for a check to make sure he didn;t get anything from her. Then they moved them to the front right infront of the co. The hard part is not the visit its the fact that you have to leave you man there. If there is anything else that you need to know please feel free to pm me. Paula

Just wanted to welcome you aboard to PTO!! :) My bf was at Gowanda for 2 + yrs and it was an aweful experience for both him and I. I just hope that you don't go thur the crap I did. Stick to the rules, dress accordingly, and don't make friends, and you will be OK.

Take care and enjoy Pto!!

Maria

thank you for your help. What can we bring with us for our loved ones, how long can you stay. Can you only visits on weekends? I find everyone very helpful and appreciate all the information that you can give me. THanks Again Sue

Sue, you can visit one weekend day. Let me give you an example, let's say that his din# is 02-b-0810, then you would would go on the even day, like yesterday that it was the 28th. then you would go next sunday. you understand what i am saying?? If not pm me and i will explain a little better.
visits are from 8.30-2.30. sometimes if they start the visitor processing early you can get in a few minutes earlier. As far as what you can take in, NOTHING!!! well you can take a new sealed pack of cards, but then you have to keep buying cards cause each time you go, they have to be new and sealed. But they have cards and some board games there. Take alot of singles and change. the food is not bad, edible enough. you can take him 35lbs of food a month or 2 packages, which ever comes first but not to exceed the 35 lbs. Check out the top threads for the vendor list, there is a list of items that are allowed and the colors that can be used.

maria

thanks maria for your help. Im scared and nervous to go visit, we have not seen each other in over 20 years, and we recently been in contact by letters, so im not sure how it is gonna be. but i know i want to be there for him and to let him know i dont judge him in any way. So thanks for the help.

i have not had to deal with that facility yet.........good luck and welcome!!!! :wave: