Hi I am new to the site, I read alot of posts last night and found out a lot of info. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts as to where my boyfriend will end up, he is in reception in elmira now, his sentence is 1-3 and 1 and a 1/3 to 4 and they run together. He thinks he will end up in Gowanda or he is hoping for shock...any info on each would be great, or anywhere else he could go. Thanks. :)

Is there something positive someone can share about Gowanda? ;)

My husband was just sent to Gowanda too. He says they are ticket happen and watch everything you do. Hi I am new to the site, I read alot of posts last night and found out a lot of info. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts as to where my boyfriend will end up, he is in reception in elmira now, his sentence is 1-3 and 1 and a 1/3 to 4 and they run together. He thinks he will end up in Gowanda or he is hoping for shock...any info on each would be great, or anywhere else he could go. Thanks. :)

I have a friend who came home from shock about a year ago. I believe it was Lakeview C.F. if my memory serves me correct...

He said it was a very tough program. Physically and mentally exhausting. The privledges for what inmates can have, phone calls and visits are MUCH STRICTER from what he told me. He said alot of people in his "platoon" didn't make it, and ended up back in regular prison. He came back very shell shocked from the whole experience, and under weight...

I believe he said that if you screw up once with the actual regimen, (excluding any actual criminal offense) you have to begin the program again.

hope this helps :)

My fiance is currently in the shock program... if you have a specific question I'll try to help the best I can.

I am praying for shock, and i have been since this whole mess began. I am just praying that they give them that option, after reading what people have been saying about gowanda i am very scared, besides the fact that they don't let u out first time on parole. I read that only immediate family can visit in shock, is that true? I should find out any day now, if they ever let him call...:(

no that is not true anyone can visit a person in the shock program.

What is your fiance in for? I think my boyfriend if elligible, but I am still worried about it? Did it take him long to get from reception to actually starting??

My fiance is currently in the shock program... if you have a specific question I'll try to help the best I can.

He is in for DWI. I don't totally understand you're question. How long from Lakeview to the start of the program or from his reception start. Which for him was Elmira. I think he was in Lakeview less then a week. It depends on when the other plantoons graduate. Where he is now the next group doesn't graduate until the beginning of Nov. When he went to Elmira to Lakeview that was a good month (I think).

When he went from Elmira to Lakeview. sorry for the confusion. Was that his first DWI? My boyfriend is in for violating probation on 2 felony DWI's, but he has never served time before, which helps I think, I just can't imagine him going to Gowanda.

first time serving time... good luck to you both.... I hope he is able to do the shock program.

Sam's Girl. Thank you for that answer about how long it took you boyfriend to go from reception to shock program. My boyfriend was sent up to reception last Tuesday. I know that he is eligible and trying to get into the Shock Program. He is also serving 1-3 for DUI.

Sam's Girl or anyone else. I'm curious. When he was in reception was he able to call and write you letters? If so, how long before you heard from him? I haven't heard from my boyfriend since Monday night.

alone 46... Gowanda is actuactually what everyone says.. bub Bub is in the dwi program there and he actually has only had 1 problem seince he has been there. He tell me he has meet a few guys in the program that are "alright" i think it depends on the guy and how much he can take fron the idiot CO's. just thought i'd let ya know something maybe a little positive. God bless

Sam's Girl. Thank you for that answer about how long it took you boyfriend to go from reception to shock program. My boyfriend was sent up to reception last Tuesday. I know that he is eligible and trying to get into the Shock Program. He is also serving 1-3 for DUI.

Sam's Girl or anyone else. I'm curious. When he was in reception was he able to call and write you letters? If so, how long before you heard from him? I haven't heard from my boyfriend since Monday night.
It takes awhile... I was freaking out too at first because I didn't hear from him. I remebering him writing in pencil and only having a few envelopes a week. I think for the first two months they give them so many envelopes with postage, after that they are on their own. As for the phone calls when they are in reception its very limited. LIke once a week... be patient.

Thanks for a little bit of positive from gowanda, It still scares me though...



alone 46... Gowanda is actuactually what everyone says.. bub Bub is in the dwi program there and he actually has only had 1 problem seince he has been there. He tell me he has meet a few guys in the program that are "alright" i think it depends on the guy and how much he can take fron the idiot CO's. just thought i'd let ya know something maybe a little positive. God bless

Anytime! Alone,hope all works out for u.My advice is try not to worry to much about it (yea right i know!) wherever they plan on sending him he will go,he'll be okay.I think we all worry about them more than they worry bout being in there, I know i do. Bub tells me "I'm in a country club working out" i guess it's his way of dealing with it.I know its gonna be hard not worring but just try not to it will be all over soon and he'll be home to you. God Bless ya!!

Gosh, why is it so bad? I see that a lot of you know about Gowanda, but is that where a lot of guys have to go?

Yea I will definately worry, I try so hard not to though, this is probably the worst of it, not knowing, He used to say he was at the Sheritan, and they left mints on his pillow. But that was also back in county.

I guess that I hear the worst of something and magnify it a million times. It's just something I could not imagine having to live through.

:o

There are alot of men at Gowanda. Yes it is just like we said. From the co's to the counselors to the teachers. The only one nice person I ever talked to was the counselor for the shu and the co in the waiting room to go in for a visit. Paula

isn't there anything that can be done about it? Why do you think the conditions are so bad there? is this a Reception place? Or just Medium?

Its a medium, and no matter how hard you try to complain you just get the run around. Paula

but it is interesting how many people say this prison is so bad, and a lot of men seem to go there, yet the "system" does nothing about it. Like why is it allowed to be so bad? why are others not this way, you know?
So it is a medium shu?

Its a medium facility whether the shu is a medium I don't know, but I have put in many complaints and still they go unanswered. He is now in orleans and so now I will take it further, because I have heard that if you complain they take it out on the men. Paula

that just seems so wrong to me!

But I was wondering...is Gowanda a Shu facility or just a medium facility?

No it is not a shu facility because they do not keep them that long. It depends on how much time they get. Anything over a month they get transferred. i hope that helps. Paula

my son says he has been disqualified from shock camp d/t mental status and a charge that was supposed to be closed when he was 17. he is currently taking no meds and hasnt since he first entered in Elmira(after Wende). I think he could benifit from a disipline aspect of shock camp. Also they want to send him through school agian even though he has his GED. Don't understand alot of this stuff.

My fiance was in Elmira reception for 3 months before being transfered, he isn't in for DWI though. He went to Altona for the majority of his sentence but I have hear that he will have to go to Gowanda for a program. I am not liking that thought from what I have heard about it though. I just hope that If he has to go there for a program, he won't be there very long.

so who knows, what qualifies you for shock camp?

My guy is in Gowanda (transferred from Riverview) and I can honestly say we've had no problems with visitation. I drive there every weekend, takes me 2 hours and of course Gowanda has odd/even day visits. Processing is pretty quick compared to other facilities I've been to. It's definitely the cleanest CF I've been too. My guy tells me that all the housing areas are kept clean and he's had no problems with staff. So I guess you could say it's what you make of it. There's always going to be some smart- mouthed C.O.'s but like I tell my honey, just lay low and do your time. I was also worried when I found out he was being transferred to Gowanda, but now I see it's not as bad as I thought. I hope that puts some of your minds at ease.

I thought that also, but tell him to be very careful, because my husband had outside clearance and the more that you have to lose the more the cos try to get you in trouble. Tell him to watch out for the ged teacher and a co named xxxxx I think that they are into getting inmates in trouble together, they are both phoneys. Paula

the name of the CO was removed...maybe you should PM his name to this member. Co's do read threads here on PTO. maybe not alot, but you never know.
let's try not becareful about what we post here. thanks :)

also, even if someone has had a horrible experience at Gowanda or Shock, let's try to give advice that will not scare other members. Honesty and Reality are great but the negative comments do not help someone who has to go through this. Let's remember this too, thanks again :)

is there such thing as Gowanda or shock treatment? Is this a choice for the inmates?

is there such thing as Gowanda or shock treatment? Is this a choice for the inmates?


My son is in Summit Shock ,he's scheduled to graduate in June.The program is very regimented.Closely compared to military boot-camp.My husband was in the military and he says it's even a little more strict but I think it's all still good.
At first I was awfulizing the whole thing.My son started in county,THAT is
like a country club!!!He was in Elmira for reception into STATE custody.that was a little scary it is a max......from there to Lakeview for reception into SHOCK custody that is pretty tough too actually because of the fact once you are accepted into the Shock treatment you begin to live by those rules.after all it's named SHOCK for a reason....Then depending on vacancy a platoon is shipped from Lakeview to any shock camp that has room for a platoon otherwise you wait at Lakeview for transfer of a platoon.You could also have to wait for a platoon to form if not enough inmates are awaiting at Lakeview for a transfer.
The camp my son is in is a very isolated place and the days are completely filled one way or another.Not very much time for fun or pleasure.Phone call every other Sunday for 10 minutes ...if your platoon hasn't messed up.
Rise @ 5:30 > make your bunk-put shower shoes on wrap a little towel around your hip and run to the shower - you get 3 min.and only 3 min. if you're not done tough get out
get back to your bunk change your clothes into workout sweats and get out side for count and lineup
run 3 miles no matter what weather get back to your bunkhouse line up for PT pushups / situps
get back inside change your clothes for work duty.
run to the mess hall.get your food and stand at a table till everyones gotten a tray and all are standing at full attention too...then eat your breakfast in seven minutes if you don't finish you get to have it in your pocket all day.....keep in mind you are not allowed to speak without permission at ALL
...permission to speak drill instructor sir ? .....the daily work starts then which ranges from cutting wood /cleaning bunkhouses/ or if you're lucky you can get a busride to Albany and shovel snow all day at the capitol buildings or maybe get to clean the inside of the capitol buildings.you get lunch the same as breakfast fast and quiet 7 minutes no sounds
the late afternoons and evenings after supper (fast and quiet 7 minutes no sounds)are classes...if you have a diploma you attend the classes anyway and have to assist your platoon into passing...then self help meetings..then drug / alcohol classes ...then group awareness where you can vent about any problems with yourself or platoon members.
The inmates stay in groups / platoons mostly all the time and in unison do everything run not walk you don't walk it's either a good jog or full run
you don't go to the bathroom without permission you don't look the DI in the eye or "you're eyeballing me ....give me 50 pushups"You have a Smartbook to memorize and at any given opportunity they can confront you and demand a quote from this book.Answer correctly or get an infraction or 100 pushups...you have to keep a certain grade range and you get graded on everything.Your locker has to be perfect,you iron your clothes perfectly,your boots can have no marks on them...you do not stop all day and half the night you go to bed at 9:00 p.m.lights out then no noise and no getting up for anything .......and on and on and on and on

this has to give you some idea but I have to say I believe if this was used more often and more widespread it would obliterate a lot of crime.My son prayed for Shock we had the judge recommend shock as part of my son's plea and at times it's tough for him but I know it's gotten through to him in ways prison wouldn't.I am blessed he is there.

ok i might sound dumb but i have seen a lot of people who write a sentence like 1-3 what does that mean? Thankies!

the sentence has to be a first offense non-violent crime and can't be anymore than 3 yrs max sentence....like a 1-3..and ....not 2-5

My husband was in gowanda, now he is in Livingston, He was put in the box for being nice to one of the teachers. I totally agree about what you wrote, because he had said that many of times.

My fiance went to shock Wednesday, and I got a call from him today saying they denied him. Needless to say, we were both crushed. I hate to be a pessimist here, but I wouldnt get your hopes up until you know he will be accepted for sure.

My cousin will be serving 3-9 years for a DWI related offense and has been told by an agency dealing with incarcerated people that he will most likely end up in Gowanda. He is 24 and has never served time before. What's so bad about Gowanda and what does he need to know about it before he goes there?

raphaels girl i totally agree with u. my man been there in gowanda for a few months n till now no problems thanks god. it all depends on ur man like i tell mines just do ur time n ignore everyone thats looking to get u in trouble cause at the end u loose they dont. so my advise to all ya ladies just try not to worry much even tho i was worry at first but just tell ur man its all on them to be good n just do they time.i been there one time n the visit was good we had no problems. hope this is a positive thing for gowanda.

if the judge ordered him 'shock eligible', he will be going to lakeview for screening. Lakeview makes the ultimate decision.

It's not a reception center, but most of the drunk drivers in New York end up in Gowanda - that's why it's so "popular". According to my ex, it was incredibly noisy, and the staff did tend to be pretty harsh. Clean? yes. Processing quick? yes. Programs? yes - ASAT and CASAT, and Anger Management.

The specific problem that I had with them was that when I visited, I took packages for him. A number of very good items disappeared from those packages, but he never got slips to tell him why, and I didn't get them returned to me - I think some guard ate extremely well. After I started including itemized lists of what was in the packages, it stopped happening. (I included one list in the box and sent another one separately in the next letter.)

My husband was just sent to Gowanda too. He says they are ticket happen and watch everything you do.


i had met a man when i was working at a hospital and he was doin the work release thing well...he had givin me his info and i wrote to him but at the time he was at collins corr.fac. and well any ways they caught on and he got six months confinment, so just recently they moved him to gowanda and now im hearing all this bad stuff about gowanda and im really worried about him i just hope he is okay because he has not written to me in awhile i dont how else to get ahold of him any ideas???? Im all new to this stuff. thanks:rolleyes:

My son-in-law was just transferred from Wyoming to Gowanda this past week. He is in for a class E felony, sex offense and was sentenced to 1-3 years. Since being sentenced in July, he has been in Wende, Elmira, Wyoming and now Gowanda. Can anyone tell me anything about the sex offender program there, how this type of offender is treated, anything at all? I've read a good many posts about Gowanda and what I've read is frightening and sounds like a nightmare.
This is going to sound like a strange thing because his victim was one of my younger daughters. It's a difficult place to be in: one daughter is his wife and the other is his victim. In a way it means that helping one is hurting the other. And, even though I wrote a detailed letter to the court stating the patterns we had observed over the 8 years we've known him, a letter which definitely contributed to his sentence, it does not mean that I hate him. I wrote the letter because I knew that he had to be stopped and that unless he was forced to do so, he would not get the help he needs. Most of our family is willing to forgive him and give him another chance when he's released. It does not mean that we will forget but that we can forgive. Forgetting would be stupid. I guess I'm rambling- it just seems so good to find someone to share this mess with.

I would think you want him where the program is. Gowanda has changed a lot in the past year-they changed out Superintendents. It is not the greatest(where is?)-but he needs to be where his program is.

here is a link to the forum for people with SO's as their inmate-you may find a good ear here http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=101

it is for all of PTO not just NY

My guy was in Gowanda for 3 years and he never had any problems, I also never had any problems when I would visit, which was every weekend. I'm dreading the short bid he will be doing at Willard, because I hear you have to sit across from each other and I was use to sitting next to him and having some contact. Good thing it's only 90 days, then he'll be home.

The criteria for shock is you CANNOT have any violence on your record!
you must be a first time felon ; it is totally up to the counselor at lakeview;
if you have any questions; i can answer them ; my son is there at the annex; he was not accepted because he didnt report a car accident ; and he wasn't drunk, but your boyfriend seems very possible; how old is he?

My husband was just sent to Gowanda too. He says they are ticket happen and watch everything you do.


Yes they are definately ticket happy.. My boyfriend just got a ticket and he's now in the SHU until his hearing. It sucks...I hope he will be moved from that facility very soon. It's his first ticket so he's managed to deal with the co's pretty well but it is very bad. They seem to not have a heart there at all.

Gowanda is probably the toughest around....and that could be a good thing.The guys with the scars (from fights) are from other prisons.Because they are so strict, there s less inmate fights and more structure.
I do think the inmates have to learn to go with the flow.....A C.O. in a bad mood can make it difficult for anyone in his way!

my husband has been at gowanda for about a week now and he says its really not that bad as long as u r respectful. is he bsing me? from what every1 is saying its that good of a place but he has called me every night, thankful for being out of downstate and having more freedom.

I am glad is is happier!
my husband has been at gowanda for about a week now and he says its really not that bad as long as u r respectful. is he bsing me? from what every1 is saying its that good of a place but he has called me every night, thankful for being out of downstate and having more freedom.