Hello everyone.....

I am brand new to this site. I have a good friend who just got sentenced and just got transferred from the county jail to Dodge. Don't know much about it, but I sure hope that things are better than the county jail - visitation, phone call costs, etc. Can anyone help me out? I am looking for any/all information about Dodge - visitaton, phone calls, etc. In the county jail, we had to bring him underwear and socks - they allowed three pair each. Do we have to do the same thing for Dodge? He said he would not be able to take any socks or underwear with him.

I have never been through such a traumatic process in my life - attorney's, trial, sentencing, etc. Does the stress and worry ever subside? After two months of this, I have hardly been able to sleep. When does it get any better?

it starts to get more routine i cant really say it gets easier. but as time goes on you get more use to the routine. and the questions about dodge tough times is our dodge correctional expert. look through this forum and you might get some of you answers but im sure she will be here to answer them for ya soon.

I'm new to the site also but my uncle was in in Dodge a few years back and at that time, only immediate family(mom, dad, sisters and brothers) could visit and because it's a temporary holding site they can'y have much property either. I hope this help. Just like Wenny said you start to get used to it.

rribear,
I just read your post but see it was dated 3/14. My son just got transfered to Dodge on 3/18. I was just wondering if you have already gotten you questions answered? Did you get to visit your friend yet? I know they have to send you a visitor information sheet that you fill out and send back to be approved for visiting. They also only get one phone call a week for the first couple of weeks. Its only for 15 minutes and it will cost you about $6.00. If I can be of anymore help please pm me. Karen

Just a little info for ya'll. Dodge is a temporary stay for the new guys. The main focus at Dodge is A&E, (Acessment and Evaluation). That is where they determine what programs are needed, continued education, clinical needs, medical needs or special placement needs. Don't bother getting them clothes or electronics or really anything yet. Wait until they get to their institution and know what their property limits will be, otherwise you are wasting your time and money. At Dodge only immediate family members are allowed to visit. When he gets to his institution have him send you a visitors approval request slip and the visitation rules so you are aware of what is going on. Good luck.

Caveman

Thanks Caveman for that information. That is what I thought about sending clothes or electronics. My son just got done with all his medical evaluations and now is just waiting to be staffed and get a social worker for his case. But now his concern is that when they decide what institution they are going to send him to it there will be no open beds and he will end up in the county jail in what ever county that is. Karen

Actually now as long as your approved, you don't have to be immediate family to visit inmates at Dodge. I go see my boyfriend and he's had friends visit him too.

Karen, my guy was also worried when he was in Dodge that when it was time to be transferred that he'd get sent to a county jail because of no open beds, but he did get sent to the facility he was staffed too, and it is better then Dodge for sure, because he gets to go out in the yard and play ball, actually get some sunshine!! I just ordered his tv and radio and he should get them this week. If you have any more questions just pm me I'll be glad to try and answer them for you. Tell your son not to worry too much.

My brother was just sent to Dodge 2 weeks ago today, yes it is very stressful it is all I have thought about. It is my first thought in the am and last at night. This has been this way for over a year, I am so worried about him as he is 55 and never done anything bad before and he has no chance to ever get out. and you feel so bad because there is nothing you can do to help. his time is also your time too.

Welcome to the new members. I hope someone comes along who can answer your specific questions. One way to get answers is to call the prison and ask to talk to his counselor. They are not like a social worker, they are the ones they go to for paperwork, sign up for a program, etc. I have found some of them helpful when I've had questions about what I can send, upcoming parole, visiting, etc. If you look at our forum "lost in the system" there are links to all the state doc web sites and also federal bureau of prisons.

My son was sent to Dodge last night and i didnt know it was just a holding place, because they sent him there from jackson where he already had all of his evaluations,and acessments. So are you telling me they will transfer him again? This place is about 150 miles from where we live. I dont know anything about it . Could someone please give me info on it.

I think Dodge does hold some regular prisoners, but as far as I knew it was mostly a starting point and then they are shipped to a different prison. Unless maybe he has court or something.
It's also very crowded, so maybe it's just where they had extra room.
You never know these days with the WI DOC. At least you knew right away that he moved. Sometimes we have no clue until they've been at the new place a few days or weeks in some instances.