hi all

Ok I got my letter today and they are sending me to Tallahassee, Florida.

Is this a camp? This is my first offense and I was sentenced to 41 months. I was told that I would be going to a camp.
If anyone has any information about this place PLEASE let me know.

Thanks:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

FCI Tallahassee
501 Capital Circle, N.E.
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-3572
850-878-2173
Fax: 850-216-1299
Security Level: Low/Female, Administrative/Male
Facility Code: TAL

According to BOP, it's an FCI, but a low security.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable about this camp will come along & post.

Sorry Monatana,

You are going to a VERY bad place. Be prepared for major prejudice and bullying by guards and inmates.If you are black, it will be a little better, you will be in the majority, but not much.
The staff is corrupt, but attempt to be professional. The drug program is a joke, and no one I knew EVER got thier full ONE YEAR off.
The food sucks most of the time, and you are given ugly Khaki to wear and brown tee shirts, be prepared to buy clothes for hanging out, like sweats and sneakers-at $60+ a pair.
You will be crammed into a 4x4 space to share with 3 other women. The windows don't open, and it's noisy all the time inside, You can only "move" once an hour for 10 minutes, its called contolled movements. It's no Camp, its an FCI. If you smoke you are screwed after 9:30 pm when you are locked up.
You will wait for hours in LONG lines to buy everything you need ( for EVERYTHING actually), like shampoo, laundry soap, you get nothing so if you have no money you will smell really bad.
You can only wash your clothes once a week for one hour, but only get 4 pairs of panties. Go figure thier idiot logic.
People are generally rude and defensive all the time. Life sucks there, but keep to yourself and learn to crochet, and read a LOT. Thats how I survived, with the love of my son and family for almost 3 years.
You will see tragic women who do not deserve the sentences they have. It is horrible. At least you will know you are going home, and that will keep you going, whether your sentence was just or not. Mine was not.
I am free now, thank GOD.
Good luck and stay strong.

hi all

Ok I got my letter today and they are sending me to Tallahassee, Florida.

Is this a camp? This is my first offense and I was sentenced to 41 months. I was told that I would be going to a camp.
If anyone has any information about this place PLEASE let me know.

Thanks:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

thanks for making me feel less stressed 4 days before I go.

Hey Montana,

What I told you was not meant to hurt, but to help. Knowledge is power.

Sorry it's 4 days away, enjoy as many bubble baths as possible until then! No tubs in Tallahassee, but the showers do have curtains!
Be sure to take as much cash as psossible-you will need at least $40-$50.00 weekly, to buy decent foods, snacks, and shampoo, body and face creams, etc.
If you smoke add $20.00. If you have a car or whatever-sell it, get CASH to last you if possible.
People, including family, can CHANGE when you get inside, and you see thier true colors. Friends go away, family takes your money. If you can, call Tallahassee and ask if you can bring anything. Try to get a decent pair of all white sneakers in there and some underwear (only white briefs), and
ALL COTTON t shirts, etc. If you are self surrender you might pull it off- I saw it done! You can bring a gold cross or religious medal and a wedding band, to wear You wil be glad to have them, trust me.
Get a manicure and pedicure, and a haircut so you feel good when you get there!
You will make "friends" , but be cool and watch people first, then pick your friends. I am very loyal to those who were true friends when all that happened to me.
Get a dental checkup and make sure you are cavity free, the care sucks there and you do NOT want them to pull out our teeth, thier "solution" to all probelms. Get a health checkup too, and bring prescription meds with you if possible.
Try to get OUT custody ASAP, so you can transfer to camp or work out of the gate each day. It saved my sanity.Your sentence is short compared to most in Tallahassee, so I don't know why you were sent there.
As bad as it can be there, it is also an opportunity to grow your mind in school, take classes, read, chill and actually have some big laughs with other just like you trying to make it through.
You WILL be OK!
Best Wishes

I'm sorry, I really do appreciate the information. I'm really trying to keep my head up, but it's really hard! I don't know why I was sent there either. I was told that I would be going to a camp. How long does it take until I can ask for a transfer? what does the "working out of the gate" involve? Again, I thank you.

First of all...I do want to welcome the new member!

We do have a federal forum down below you might be interested in checking out!

montana!

Girl, no prison is ever gonna have the essentials our homes do! But, don't let this get you down! I am sure the other girls here who have done time, cjjack and guysgal, would agree to something like...everyone chooses "how to do their time"....and by those choices, it could make a differnce in the outcome!

I do agree that friends and some families change once the prisoner is inside.

But...I do want to point out to FLALisa that I myself have been standing tall and strong for 7 years with a good 7 to go! And, if you think that is good...look around PTO, lots of long timers here!

montana...you have built a support system with PTO! It doesn't end when you go in, as long as we have a name and or number, we will continue to help out! You will atleast have plenty of mail!

So...make sure we have that number! You are going to do fine, take advice cjjack and guysgal may have given to you and just try to occupy your mind! maybe cjjack could send you some patterns to knit...I hear she was good at it!

Diane

And wanted to add, the book I have includes some "prisoner comments"

Part of the comment is this...Correctional staff is "mostly" laid back and helpful.

So...again, everyone has a different experience!

It does say this is a transfer point where inmates are sent when transferring to a different place, so it is a high turn over too.

While an FCI, it is a low security.

FLALisa, PTO is about support and not scare tactics. I am sure montana has much to worry about without someone adding to her fears.

I take offense to someone saying the drug program is a joke. I took the program and I will tell you it is about getting the help you need NOT about getting time off. If you get time off then that is a benefit. I know many people who take the program knowing beforehand that they are not eligible for early release. This is one program that the BOP offers that DOES work. I did not receive a full year off due to the fact that there are waiting lists for the program but I did get 7 months off and was extremely thankful to get it as I was prepared to do the full sentence that was handed to me.

If you want your experience in prison to be miserable then it will be. If you try to find the positives, and yes, there are positives, then you will fare much better and have a better attitude. If you want to find fault with the staff, the programming, the inmates, the food, etc then you are in for a long and miserable sentence. It is unfair to generalize everything.

People come here looking for support. It may not have been your intention to scare montana, but if I was going to prison and had read your post I would be scared to death.

By the way, I spent 4 and a half years in federal prison.

Montana,

I know this is scary, and though FLAlisa, I am sure is trying to help, it only made it more frightening.

Now, I want you take a deep breath here and listen to me - Not a single one of us here are going anywhere, we are going to write and we are going to keep in touch, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

This experience, as I have said many times, is what you make of it. Prison is a difficult place to get and maintain a positive attitude, but it can be done and you can do it.

Now, classes take as many as you can, find a goal in you education and go for it, reading, letter writing, work, keep busy, keep busy, keep busy, I cannot emphasize that enough. Do the programs!

You are going to be ok, and we ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, we are walking with you every step of the way!

Hugs,

Patti

PS: FLAlisa I did state time, never did nor do I want to do Fed time, but from what I see from the girls that have been on Fed, state time is worse in some respects. I had a dear, dear friend who in the course 14 years on state managed to get her college education, up to the Doctorate level, she established the Incarcerated Mothers program where we were at, she tutored younger girls for their GED and got many started in college.

Sue is now an Associate Professor at U. of Virginia and is still very, very involved in the prison system and all the programs she established.

She was my rock, she got me back in line to go to college and go for my Doctorate, and started me tutoring younger women. Sue GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK!!!!

and if she can do that on the state level with all the disadvantages we had, I know that someone like montana can and will do ok.

Montana we are here for you girl.

You to FLAlisa.

Thanks so much.. It means the world to me knowing that I have the support of PTO.

I am quite scared but your words of encouragement are really helping.

I look forward from hearing from you!!
Evelyn Montana
FCI Tallahassee
#54623-019

Girl, I know you have only 4 days till self surrender (sorry). BOP placed you in Tallahassee because it is closer to your hometown (guess). Is there anyway you ask to extend voluntary surrender day, then request (push) for Coleman Camp -- I have a friend in Coleman....this place is a camp and not really that bad. Her point level was the same and she had priors...?

Evelyn,
I admire you, I know that as these next couple days pass and your freedom ends you have to have comfort in all this support. I have promised to write and I will keep that promise. Do not let people like FLALisa get you down. I did some of my time in Tallahassee and If I was to violate I would want to go back there opposed to a camp. Tallahassee has so much more to offer then a camp. I have known several ladies that went from Tallahassee to coleman and Maranna, and they would have rather of stayed in the FCI. They always complain how boring a camp is. I was in FPC Pekin, and was transferred to Tallahassee, my time went much faster at the FCI. Know in your heart that on Monday many prayers will be sent your way. You will not be alone on that day, for in my throughts and in my heart will be. Rememer to look up Becky Stewert she will be a blessing for you! Remember to keep your head high, and always know that you can put my number on your phone list to call. Take care Evelyn, I will miss you on here, but only for a minute.

Jena

I can't say thanks enough!! ALL MY LOVE ~~ Evelyn

Does anyone have the address for inmate mail at FCI Tallahassee? I need it to sent Evelyn some mail for her first week.

Thanks,
Sheryl

Hi Sheryl,
Yes that address is:

F.C.I. Tallahassee
Evelyn Montana #54623-019
501 Capital Circle N.E.
Tallahassee, FL. 32301

I hope everyone writes, it will be a tough first week. Evelyn, is a very smart and she truely will be a blessing to someone that needs a friend. I wish her the best of luck. Take care Evelyn, we will all miss you!

Evelyn,

Have faith, it will be rough at first, but you are strong and will do fine. Many of us here will write and keep you busy writing letters.

Hugs,

Patti

Montana-Wow I did not know my message would get so much attention LOL.
I believe to truly help people they need to know the truth.
Sure some staff at Tallahassee are helpful, check out Mr. Causey and Mr. Bierbaum. But be careful with everyone! Chose your confidants carefully.
Being OUT of the gate means you actually leave the prison each day in your uniform to work in a warehouse or maintenacing the grounds. It is a break, you feel a little free each day.
Wear a white sports bra in and they may let you keep it, you will be happy to have it.
The drug program is a joke, because you have to be careful what you say and who you open up to, because people do NOT keep confidences in those "classes". You DO learn a lot of helpful info about addiction, but the "love" you learn in NA and AA in the streets is NOT there. LOVE is what heals people.
I do wish you all the best, and willl write to you to show my support!
Evelyn I went to Coleman from Tallahasse and if you have a short sentence like you do camp is MUCH better and more peaceful. You have nicer everything there! Tryto get there ASAP. Keep bugging your counselor!
No matter what, like I told you, you KNOW you are going home, and you will be a stronger woman for the experience you are about to have.
The address there is
501 Capital Circle NE
Tallahassee, FL
Best Wishes Evelyn!
Lisa

FLALisa, what is your opinion of the RDAP aftercare?

You mean the halfway house therapy groups?

No, I mean the aftercare you are required to attend for one year after your release. It is a requirement of RDAP.

The only aftercare I did was at the halfway house. It was the same, I got nothing out of it but a bad case of nervousness, because the women, not the men, were so catty and mean! It was not about being supportive of each other, like in real AA groups.
I only went to counseling for like a month, after, and they released me. I see a private counselor now, when I choose to, which is nice.
When were you at Tallahasse and what units were you in?

No, I was not at Tallahassee but my roomate in Bryan spent 6 years there. But I did do my "tour" of 4 different fed prisons.

Did you take RDAP?

Poor baby! My friend in Tallahassee, Lynne went to Bryan, she had just had a baby.
My friend Susan went to Carswell. She had a brain tumor and needed surgery. She did OK in the hospital but back at the prison she was neglected and died. I went to her funeral, her Mom was devastated.Her conviction was totally bullsh!! and she had to do 10 years. She's out now-in heaven.

I did DAP at Tallahassee-maybe it was better where you were. It was very NEGATIVE. Not a good environment for personal growth. Nice for you that you had a better experience.

Yes, the program probably differs in some way or another from institution to institution. In 2002 they started using a different protocol for RDAP. We had completely different books, etc.

The program in Bryan was taken VERY seriously. Any breach of confidentiality resulted in immediate expulsion. It was also not all about drug and alcohol abuse. We were required to take classes in Parenting, Domestic Violence, Relationships, Drunk Driving on top of our regular RDAP classes. It was pretty intense. Fortunately everyone respected one another enough to keep what was discussed in our classes and groups to themselves. It was life-changing for me as well as many of my classmates.

I highly recommend the program. I am sorry that it was not a good experience for you. Hopefully the program in Tallahassee has changed!

Also it is now a requirement of RDAP to complete one year of aftercare after your release. It is not NA/AA. You have to go to specific therapy groups. Your probation officer will determine where he or she feels you need to attend aftercare.

I am done with probation in a few days, and while I am sure it was good there-sounds like it, I have no intention of personally finding out! LOL

HI Evelyn

Listen, when you get to FL you will get to see your case worker in the first week or so. Make sure you request from her to tell you how are you classified and what is your security level. Also ask her if you are camp eligible and how you can get help from her to transfer. Ask if she can put in a transfer for you if your security level allows it. Mention Pekin IL to her OK? Your security level and classification within the BOP is key to getting to a camp. I will send you mail, magazines and whatever elase I can. No Matter what the conditions at Tallahassee i promise you this. When you get out of prison you will marvel yourself, you will be mature and insightful, balanced,
fit, aware, thoughtful, appreciative and loving life. Prison time is thinking time. You will sort it all out. You will be OK. Look for my mail. ((((Hugs))) Maria
Peace to you sister.

Hi cjjack

I hope you are finding happiness in your FREEDOM!:)

Yes, I definitely am!!

Remiella, excellent advice!

It took me three years to eat a ramen cup of soup and doritos again! LOL:p
Hey montana-go the BOP website, and see if you can check out some of thier program manuals/statements, like "inmate property" that tells you what you can have, and "classifications".

Yes, I had no desire to see Ramen again! Or any product made by Little Debbie!

Actually, I get a rush when I pass the huge little debbie display in Publix and KNOW that I can buy any or all of them if I want! LOL
I have been out from the halfway house in Tampa since May 01, I did 6 months there. The first time I walked into Dillards in Tampa, tears came to my eyes! LOL
I have huge gratitude rushes daily. I have a good job, a beautiful home again, a pretty decent boyfriend, a great son, and a puppy. Life is good.
I did 18 months in a New York county jail ( a real dungeon) fighting the feds, then did con-air, then from May 98-Aug 2000 in Tallhassee, then my last few months at Coleman, which was SO nice compared to Tallahassee.

I can't believe you were shuffled around camps!

It was mostly a nightmare, but I am FREE!!! And in DAYS its really over!!!!:)

Yes, I made 2 trips on con-air. Ugh. Glad to hear you survived and have your life on track!!

Its 11PM! I can't believe I have talked so late. I rented the new Matrix movie tonight but we haven't watched it yet! LOL
But once you have the experience we did, it changes you, and it feels good to share the good and bad, and to hear from others who have been there. Goodnight all!;)

FLALisa

How long ago did you go through the RDAP program?

I guess I am more curious to know why some locations would require so much "aftercare" time while others don't. I have found usually on programs as these, the variations don't lean that much.

Diane

PS...time quickly slips by here on PTO! Its just addictive! lol Pretty soon we all will need an Intensive program for our PTO addiction.

Just wanted to make sure we are all writing Evelyn. If you have :thumbsup:. I have not been able to get her out of my mind. I think I will call her mother tomorrow night when I get home from work. I will let you all know how she is doing. ;) Take care!


:grouphug: For Evelyn

Wrote her a letter Sunday and posted it in Monday's mail.

Please, let us know what her Mom says.

Patti

FCI Tallahassee
501 Capital Circle, N.E.
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-3572

FLALisa, how did i miss you so far? And I have been looking for somebody from Coleman for a ling time. I am heading there on April 30. I definitely taking your advise about keeping busy. I just have few questions for you:
1. Which kind of jobs do they offer?

2. Any educational classes? Is it free or you have to pay for it?

3. Is there running track in Coleman and if yes, how long?

4. Is there a gym (weights)?

5. Is there a limit on amount of mail or books that i can receive via mail?

6. can I type my letters, oppose to writing?



I heard the place is not bad at all. I will be spending some time there (22 months sentence).



Thank you for the advise to everybody here.

Jenny

Jenny,

Coleman is almost..nice!

It is 2 living unit buildngs surrounded by woods and pretty trees, with a lovely sunset view.
UNICOR jobs are the best $$, you would work in a factory from 8am to 3 pm , and make up to a dollar an hour, good for prison. If you have money from home, get an easy job like night cleanup, which means for a few mnutes each night you clean up cig butts. Then you can sleep in and watch soaps and crochet all day, or read, or take correspondence courses. If you want to spend your day time learning, get ALL the info now, because there is NO internet there or computers. Do that, and use your time there to your advantage, trust me!
The food at Coleman is MUCH better than Tallahassee, and there is only one guard on duty so no one hassles you. You walk around as you please, unlike an FCI with controlled movements. And your ID card is also a debit card for vending machines, you can actually buy a bagel and cream cheese for your breakfast if you don't want to get up.
Why not pamper yourself, try new hair do's, read magazines and eat chocolate! LOL
Try to bring in stuff and wear a NEW pair of plain white NIKES in so you will not be ripped off at commissary. Coleman gives you nice cotton t-shirts, but bring a plain grey pullover top and elastic waist sweatsuit, get the light grey, they like that. Calll Coleman ASAP to see what you can bring, and try to get in the shoes anyway! The guards are nice there and will most likely let you have them, but NO colors on them.
Go with at least $100.00, you need to buy shampoo, soap, all your toiletries.
Very few weights, sorry, but a track that is really nice.
You can get 3 books at a time, soft cover, from a store, NO limit for magazines.
One typewriter on each unit and a few in the very small library.
It's not home, but it's better than an FCI, no barbed wire to look at!
That is up the road surrounding the men, and the girls at the camp do all thier outside maintenance, so all the men yell at you if they see you! LOL
Good luck!
Lisa;)

Lisa, you are a life saver.

Let me just double check this: When you say: “If you want to spend your day time learning, get ALL the info now, ….” What do you mean by that???? What kind of info should I get now?? Other then that I feel much better now. If not for my kids that I leave behind, and not for my husband that is going to a federal camp for a long time, I could really use some time of .



Thank you so much.

Jenny

Lisa, you are a life saver.

Let me just double check this: When you say: “If you want to spend your day time learning, get ALL the info now, ….” What do you mean by that???? What kind of info should I get now?? Other then that I feel much better now. If not for my kids that I leave behind, and not for my husband that is going to a federal camp for a long time, I could really use some time of .



Thank you so much.

Jenny
Don't confuse, the post was by user Kapara. By mistake I got on my husband's user name. Sorry :)

Jenny

Jenny,
Sorry about your being away from your husband and kids. Can you get someone to bring them for visits? How much time do you have to do at Coleman?
I mean, research the courses you want to take NOW, online, that are correspondence, even ask the local college for help. Do all the paperwork and pay, whatever to get ready.
This time will be all yours so use it well, to enrich yourself. Good news, you can crochet gifts for your kids and write every day, They need to know you love them and the letters and cards you send them helps!
Order catalogs, too, from companies you can buy from inside, like Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Bookclubs, etc to be mailed to you. You will need to memorize your credit card and get someone you trust to pay your bill with your money.
Remember, you are still helpless inside. Do all you need to do NOW, like prepare things legally, line up help for when you in, etc. Do get your teeth checked and take care of cavities, and once inside, floss like crazy! The feds pull teeth rather than fix them, FYI.Get all your checkups, mamograms, etc. You do not want to discover a health problem inside, trust me!
Lisa

Order catalogs, too, from companies you can buy from inside, like Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Bookclubs, etc to be mailed to you. You will need to memorize your credit card and get someone you trust to pay your bill with your money.


Now...I did know under "special circumstances" (religion, eye glasses) you could order out of a catalog and also for books.

But...you've been there, and your saying they can order out of there catalogs as well?

Really curious here.
Diane

Thank you Lisa and every one in PTO for sharing the information and support. It’s priceless. I will follow your directions. I have less than one week to go. It’s such a weird feeling going around life, knowing that it all will stop in less than 7 days. Life is really hectic right now, making all the last arrangements, taking care of all the details, putting everything on hold for the next 2 years(well… almost 2 years). But what helps me a lot and keep my spirit high is the words that you guys, who went thru this, tell me: “Life is good now”. For this little sentence “Life is good now” – I am staying strong and look forward for.

I will post my address during next week and I will be happy to stay in touch.

Jenny

I h ave never heard of being able to buy out of a catalog in federal prison. You would not be allowed to have the things inside that you could order anyway. I suppose you could tell your family what you wanted ordered and they could keep it for you until you got out.
In Lexington they did not sell yarn and craft items on commissary and once a month you could special order yarn and craft items but it is my understanding that they now sell yarn on the commissary.

:) Dear doubters who think you can't buy from catalogs in prison-
I did NOT mean for yourself-I meant as gifts for your kids, LOL!
You cannot have credit cards, but you can know your number!
It helped me feel involved in my child's life, a lot. And they know YOU picked it!
I know not everyone is as fortunate as I was financially, but I hope the info is at least helpful.
Lisa

Thanks for clarifying that Lisa.

It seemed a bit strange to me...and we've been dealing with this along time!

One question, the facility never questioned you placing an order against a credit card? Not familiar with the mail area where you were at....but all we have dealt with they can't seal their envelopes. I just never imagined them letting this go on....but then I never thought of this idea!

Diane

My husband has his own credit card number. For Christmas and the kids birthdays I send him catalogs and he does his own shopping. Just make sure you send catalogs that still accept orders through the mail. It's great to get surprise packages from him!

In the camps you don't have to seal your envelopes unless it is inmate to inmate mail.

And yes, thanks for clarifying that FLAlisa!

I did not announce I was doing it, just dropped sealed mail in the box! Never had to leave mail unsealed in FCI Tallahassee or Coleman camp. Anyone heard from Evelyn?

FLALisa,

Linda and I received a letter from Evelyn this evening. She asked me to say Hello to everyone. She is trying to settle in and learn the ropes. It has been a "little rough" she said but she is making the best of, applying for jobs and completing orientation.

She told me that our card was the only thing she had gotten as of the date of her letter.

Come on, PTO! Let's get this girl some mail!

Patti

I will write to her tonight!:)

Put a letter in the mail this morning.

Hi
To answer your question....no this is not a camp. It is a 70 year old Prison for males converted to contain women. It is, in comparison to the camps at Marriana and Coleman a full blown prison. It has controlled movement and is conducted as a prison. The camps operate under what they call non controlled movement and their take on your leaving their encampment is this...you walk and your next dwelling will be the full blown prison for a increased amount of time and possibly not in Florida. If you would like my opinion as to which to go to....FCI Tallahassee. Why...because though the conditions at the camps are more hospitable, you will have more of your time occupied at the Prison. Let's face it, if you have to be there, what difference does it make as to whether you have a fence around you or not...you are going to serve time. I would think you would prefer your time to be busy instead of dragged out. Also, there are more opportunities to work at the prison, and if you haven't found out yet, there are numerous things you are going to want to purchase to make your life better. I would say between 2-400 dollars in purchases and you will be set. If you have no one to support you or any way to get money put into your account, you will be waiting until you get your assigned job to make money to purchase food (commissary luxuries are different from the chow hall food), toiletries, and lother uxuries. Considering the most you will make at the end of a day could buy you a coke, guess how long you will be saving to build up enough to get some of these items.hi all

Ok I got my letter today and they are sending me to Tallahassee, Florida.

Is this a camp? This is my first offense and I was sentenced to 41 months. I was told that I would be going to a camp.
If anyone has any information about this place PLEASE let me know.

Thanks:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: