Hi Everyone,

My name is Carolyn. My husband was convicted in Alabama of Conspiracy and sentenced to 96 months. With the Drug program and good time he should go to a halfway house in Nov 2007. He has been in since April 2003. His current location is FCC Coleman Low in Florida (with Steve Madden) -I visited him 3 times there for 5 days each visit. His redesignation to Camp status and a good case manager finally got him transferred closer to home (he will be going to Taft -Camp in California)and our family (3 yr old son and a 6 mo old daughter) Anyone wanting information on visiting Coleman Florida -I have it all. The BOP staff was actually quite friendly, but then I have a sunny disposition. I will be trying to obtain information on the Privately run Taft Camp (facilities there?)Hotels? Phone Calls etc?? Anyone with that info, please advise. Also, One thing I have learned about the Federal Prison System and Mand Min -You can not appeal a stupid jury. We were told by the Fed Prosecutor in CA -they would not have bothered with this case (not int in personal use) but Alabama is backwards...I am happy that I will not need to fly 3000+ miles and spend lots of money to visit him anymore. Okay, the last visit I added some extra days and did the Walt Disney World thing with my 3 yr old son. I met some wonderful people while visiting whom I hope to stay in touch with! Any information on Taft-Camp (Hotels etc) will be appreciated.

Thanks Everyone:D

Carolyn

Welcome to PTO! Thats great news that your husband returned to the same "coastlines" as his family! I will try to do a search here on PTO on Taft, I'm not sure I ever seen info here in this forum. Let's see what we come up with!

Glad to have you here at PTO!

Diane

Here's a little something to start with:

Taft Correctional Institution
1500 Cadet Road
Taft, CA 93268
661-763-2510
Fax: 661-765-3034
Security Level: Male - Low and Minimum security
Facility Code: TAF

"You cannot appeal a stupid jury" What does that mean? A defendant most certainly would be allowed to file an appeal after a verdict has been rendered by a jury, "stupid" or not. Who is Steve Madden? I don't think it's right to come on here and bash jurors who did their civic duty. What I am hearing is--your husband did what he was convicted of but you're angry because he was prosecuted for it in Alabama but wouldn't have been prosecuted for it in California?

Anyway, I am glad that your husband has been moved closer to you and your financial burden is not so heavy to go visit him.

My husband has a personal use problem but did NOT DO what he was convicted of. Conspiracy. Our 'friend' used a fed ex number related to MY work to send himself drugs through the mail. The friend came to California, bought meth, got busted here in CA with SOME of it -(we refused to bail him out knowing he would run)he had a cousin bail him out. He now did not want to DRIVE back with it, so he sent the package to himself, put it in a fed ex drop box on a Friday (using a work related company of mine whose fed ex number I gave him previously for computer stuff)-drove back to Alabama. The Feds sniffed out the package and delivered it to him with a warrant. He said 'WE' sent it to him. He made a deal to turn 'US' in and testified that my husband sent it. He did not even get the stuff from us, I knew the real 'dealer' he used -but the Feds in Alabama did NOT care, they never asked us anything -we had no idea until they came knocking down the door with a warrant (only for my husband). My husband had a regular job, no weapons, no 'supply' . They had no fingerprints on the package, not even our return address was listed. They simply had the word of a guy getting busted who fled from the State of CA (still a warrant for him here) and apparently while waiting for his plea sentence -date, skipped away from his own release terms and was found and jailed immediately. The jury in Alabama seemed to dislike my husband before the trial even began (they were picked 3 mos earlier due to trial dates) we heard comments in the breakfast room (where we were thrown together due to a Tornado Siren) about how liberal Californians were, how 'WE' bring drugs to their State etc.. One guy who wanted to be dismissed due to medical problems slept though a large portion of the trial. Our mistake was not letting my husband testify due to his personal drug use (Never listen to an attorney if your guts says otherwise) I think his not testifying helped convist him -but there was little evidence except this guys testimony. Later while awaiting sentencing - we found out our friend had confessed to 2 other inmates that he set up my husband because the 'real' dealer would kill him. We tried to get a new trial based on that but we only met 4 of the 5 guides and it was denied. Whatever -As you can see, I am not happy with the verdict, there certainly was not guilt beyond a reasonable doubt -(we thought we had won the night before) but after reading about other people's woes - the 7 years he received could have been a lot worse. I also found out at that time that I was 5 weeks pregnant. It has been 14 months since he was found guilty and taken into custody. I tell my husband that what happened to him will hopefully allow our son and daughter to never try /do anything illegal (Do not mess with the government) Maybe God had that reason in mind...

Thanks for the support and letting me vent. Whew!

Smiles,

Carolyn

Easy Miami
This is a support group...Sounds like a bit of bitterness is taking hold...I can feel for Carolyn because my jury was very misinformed, through no fault of the defense. BTW Steve Madden is the shoe knock off King, but I thought he was in Eglin... Deep breath everyone, Please.

Dan

It is my understanding that the juries are not made aware of what the penalty will be until after they render their guilty verdict. I have read stories about how shocked jurors are after they get the facts that were not allowed at trial as well as a persons possible sentence.

Dan, you are right. Everyone at PTO is entitled to an opinion and I have mine and I expressed it. I certainly do not need you telling me I am bitter, to "calm down" and/or "take a deep breath". She posted about being unable to "appeal a stupid jury" and I responded that she was entitled to appeal a jury verdict. As are you. Yes, this is a "support forum" and my post was supportive, in my opinion. I was going to go off on a tangent about big, bad, lying, scheming, conniving federal prosecutors who just pick random innocent people out of the clear blue sky to ruin their lives but I deleted it. my message of suuport for you...I pray your upcoming period of incarceration is used in a positive and productive manner, to further your education, strengthen family ties and physical fitness.

Well, I do have the ins and outs of visiting Coleman, Low (I posted some visit info online)-and I have met Steve Madden (well saw him with his visitors) so he is at Coleman. They transferred him from the camp to Low for 'conducting business' behind bars. I also agree many people on a jury have no idea about mandatory minimums. Hopefully - we can get those repealed. What a joke they have been on our 'drug war'. Well my husband is still in Coleman waiting for them to tell him to pack. I wish I could get more visitor info on the camp in Taft, CA - It is run by the Wackenhut Corrections. When I called they told me, my husband will be given all the info from his couselor once he gets there. Florida was beautiful to visit and my husband said he would love to go there under 'Less Restrictions' -LOL.

Thanks All

Carolyn

:idea: How did you know it was Steve Madden, what does he look like? Maybe I saw him today when I visited my husband!!!! Do I look for the visitors with the cool shoes?!?!?!?!

My husband was in a class with him. Also, when we visited, there is usually the one girl and two guys. I heard someone say they could not see him unless she was wearing 'his' shoes. He actually has a shaved head and is older.

Tiggail, how was your visit with your husband? Did you wait long? The thunderstorms out there along with the humidty must be awful. My husband said they bring everyone in because someone actually got hit by lightening one time.

Smiles,

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn, My honee is in Taft since Sept. 2004 and I have been there twice now. It doesn't seem bad as far as prisons go that is. I am very new to this world so I don't have anything to compare it to. There are alot of things to do there to keep busy so the time will go by fast. I stay In Bakersfield and drive the 50 miles each day I'm there to visit. Oh, I forgot, I live in AZ and fly in. I check out hotels in Taft & Maricopa and they are very little towns and kind of old and scary. I feel much safer to stay in Bakersfield and drive in. My honee is on the side that does have fences though. I hear the other side is pretty nice though. This is a privately run prison and trades under the symbol GGI (if I remember right). The stock has been going up! Well if you know anything about Taft, I'd love to hear from you. Take care & God bless.

Hi all,

Not sure whether you guys are still there to respond....but could you please give me all the info you have on both Coleman and Taft? My brother is in Allenwood, PA right now and they're about to transfer him. Even though I think our chances are slim, I still want to see whether we can put down a request for a facility. I'm looking for a facility that resembles Allenwood: nice, new, clean facility. Lots of outdoor activities (large open area), flexible visitation hours, cube-type accommodation (no cells!) and not too bad of a staff. Can anyone tell me whether I should go for Taft or Coleman? I need a low federal facility. Since we fly in from Europe, it doesnt really matter where he goes, just as long as it's in driving range of an airport...

Thanks for helping me out with this!!!!

Little Sis.

I am self surrending to Coleman camp on the 7th of April. I am in the womens section but would think it would be somewhat similar. I am so scared and nervous as the time comes neearer. My crime is embezzelement...5 months. If you have time could you give me a tipical day there. Whaat the commissary is like, is it expensive. phone calls can they be made to a cell phone. Was he there during the summer, could they go out and walk. Anything would be so appreciated. Is visiting easy. Good hotels for my husband to stay at. Places to eat. Thanks you.

hi Martha2, i can give you some helpful information on visiting COLEMAN LOW. the closest motel is called MICROTEL INN & SUITE, which is located in Bushnell, Florida. It is 13 miles from Coleman Federal Complex. the restaurants nearby are: sonny's barbeque, mcdonalds, waffle house, taco bell, kfc, shanghi chinese buffet, chucks diner and steakhouse and a wendys. the microtel serves a free continental breakfast every day, and they also have copy and fax services. there is a super walmart and a winn dixie grocery store nearby too. if you need any other info, you can send me a private email. hope this is helpful.

Thanks, Petnanny it is all coming very soon. I will PM you for how visitation goes, if it is pretty by the book etc....bless you for the info

Does Coleman have a "camp" or is it just low? I am also interestd in anythingyou can tell us about this place, Iam pretty sure my son will be going there. we are still waiting for thepapers tosay wherehe is to go but I doknw he has to report on July 11 thanks

You may go to www.bop.gov (http://www.bop.gov) to check out all of the BOP facilities. Coleman has a satellite camp for female offenders only. There is a male camp in Pensacola.

Welcome to PTO.

Welcome to PTO

Glad to find someone that knows about coleman, my son will be going there FCI coleman florida on july 11, anything you can tellme I would appreciate.
thanks
Hope your loved one finally got trasfered closer to home.

Son just got his papers and has to report to coleman FCI-low on July 11 anything you can tell us about this plcae would be appreciated thanks

donnalee,

If you do a searc and simply enter "Coleman" you will finds tons of information on this site. You may also want to check out: WWW.BOP.gov (http://www.BOP.gov) and do a search on facilities. In the interum "Click" on the link below to get started:

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163227&highlight=Coleman

Keep the Faith

Michael