I love to write, and hope to do some while inside.

If I go to a camp, might I have access to a typewriter? I was thinking I could mail a week's worth or writing home at a time, but there might be a page limit per letter?

Also, can you have tea?

Stupid questions I know, but Im trying to envision my life.

Thanks,

J

Hi J

Well, i'm not qualified to answer your questions, and I'm definitly not judgemental to say they're stupid !!! :)
I think many people on PTO will be able to give you an answer, but if I may suggest something, it would be easier if you give your location. All the prison rules are different from one state to another and even from one prison to another.
All the best and good luck !
Philippe

would be federal prison...

j

Ok, well I meant giving a state where your federal prison is located. J you can try this link: http://www.bop.gov/ which is the "Federal Bureau of Prisons"
Hope this will help
All the best
Philippe

feds, they get typewritters. only in the law library.

I can't speak specifically about federal, but in Calif st. prisons you can buy a typewriter, & as lulu said they have them in the law library, &/or the regular library. Although people working on cases have priority on the use of typewriters, over others who a5e just using them. As for writing, in Calif. they do have restrictions on manuscripts or anything that can be considered a manuscript I think the feds are similar to this-----Ken

Also regarding tea, in Calif. you can buy tea from the store, & have it sent in in your quarterly packages

tx is one state that is able to buy theri own typewriters, but the feds can only go to the law library to use them.
best wishes to you

lulu

So let me see if I get this straight...

I may be able to use typewriters in the law library if nobody else is using them.

But, I cant write a novel?

How would they know? Do they read what you have written?

Can I have pens or pencils and paper in my cell?

Thanks,

J

No I said in Calif. they had restrictions on what you could write, not that you couldn't write, & I'm sure the feds have some restrictions too. They don't want guys publishing porno books writen in prison, or books describing how to do crimes, etc. you'll have to check out what you can & can't write about.

YES!!! Absolutely they read everything you send out, & that is sent in. They also monitor your phone calls. I have been to some prisons where every call was monitored & recorded & saved for like a week or so.

In state you can have pencils & pens & paper of all kinds. regular, colored etc. & I'm sure the feds allow it too. I just got a letter from a girl in camp, & it was written in pen.


Good luck----------Ken

jdm,
You will have access to type writers in the library & law library for most all day if you need or want to use them. There is also usually a type writer in each unit that you can use depending on the staff and what the current policy is that the warden of the institution mandates.. Chances are, you will have access to a type writer in your housing area, but you cannot purchase or own you own.
As far as writing books, etc.. You won't have much of a problem in the feds.. They do read outgoing mail but it is easy to get around this by sending your drafts out "Legal Mail", which is not opened. You have to send it to an "ATTORNEY", but that is not a problem.. (it is rarely verified, and you generally can get your lawyer to pass it on to family)
I know a lot of guys that have written books in the feds.. A number of them that had some really nagative stuff to say about them. They are mainly worried about security threats and such..
I wrote a bunch of "criminal mind" type stuff when I first got there and didn't want them to see it.. They would not have liked what I was writing, so I sent it via my lawyer just to get it out of there and then lost interest..
This cover what you want to know? If you can tell me the area you think you will be going into prison, and at what security level (camp you stated), I will give you direct information on that institution for you.
David