Ok, I gotta give a lil' history so bare with me a sec. My wife, as some of you know, is doing 5 years in VA. She's currently in a local facility and has been there for 19 months. Originally she wanted to stay there because she was filing a sentencing reconsideration. The deputy there made arrangements to delay her transfer to a State facility. She was denied the reconsideration and since than I've been going back and forth with DOC to have her transferred but they refused saying that is where she'll be doing her time. Turns out the deputy received a phone call from DOC after my emails and phone calls and she told them to keep her there. My wife spoke to the dep who told her she wasn't going to let her transfer. Now, some of her people that have been transferred out of there have had mixed feelings about being transferred, not for the reasons my mother-in-law is thinking about (she watches too much TV), but just certain things. However, my wife is tired of being in there with women who are all leaving w/ in a year. She's tired of not being able to wear her own clothers, like the state facilites allow. She's tired of not getting magazines, newspapers or music, and she's tired of the 2 hour visits as opposed to 6, just to name a few reasons she wants the transfer.

Now, local jails in VA charge $1 a day rent. This sucks because if I send my wife $50 and she's been broke for awhile, they take it off her books. Another thing is that where she is isn't that convinient since I don't have a car. Where she would be going is basically walking distance from family of mine, which would make it very easy for me to take a bus to my family and get there like that. So there are major benefits to her being transferred. At the same time some people are saying (including a PM I got) that where she is is where she should want to be. But her main people are where she would be. Anyway, I emailed DOC and asked about the $1 a day, saying that since my wife wasn't a short timer (less than 1 year) that the $1 a day wasn't fair. I also stated that I understand fairness is not the goal in the prison system, but it wasn't even equal to other prisoners. They responded saying they have nothing to do with local jails. Of course I said how is that when she is a DOC state inmate in this local jail. They made some calls and told me that she would be transferred soon.

My concern is I hope this is still what my wife wants. I'm almost positive it is, but I went ahead and did this and havne't spoke to her since. She's supposed to call tonight, and I'm just praying that's what she still wants. I know she wanted to try agaiin for the reconsideration, but I don't think it'll make a diff where she is. Anyway, thanks for listenening / reading.

I hope that everything works out. If she wanted to be transferred and it took sometime but it seems like you did what she wanted you to do.

She called this evening and started to tell me she would probably be transferred tomorrow and I told her I knew. She asked how and I explained what happend. She was HAPPY. Happy for the first time in a couple of weeks. The best part was, she was happy with ME. I got a "you go boy". It was a really good convo. We won't get to see her for awhile, until she finished with intake. For the kids it was good news and bad news. Bad news (which is what they wanted first) because they won't see her for a minute and we were supposed to go this weekend. Good news, because we finally get some normal length visits. I'm very happy.

I cant tell you how many times I've had to make decisions that I was unsure about making. I knew what I thought was the best choice, but hadnt had a chance to talk to him about it. In the end he has always seen and agreed with my decisions, but I tell him not long ago to always remember that if I do or dont do something then its because I have his best interest at mind. Thats about all you can do in these situations and in the end even if they disagree explain that you were only doing what you thougth was best

Transferring out of county will obviously be best for the both of you for many reasons even thogh there is a short term visitation loss. Aren't those few moments of happiness a kick. Hope it all goes smoothly. :)

dlyles,

Good going! Getting out of the local jails is a relief, you said she is in Virginia? She will most likely be sent to Fluvanna, not sure. Is she being sent there? My niece is there and a good friend.

Unfortunately, she will not have her own clothes, least not at Fluvanna, if she is going to VCCW at Goochland, I am not sure anymore, it has been awhile since I was there and most of the people I knew there are out or at Fluvanna.

The education programs, at least from what my niece says is pretty decent, and I should know, but don't, for my good friend is one of the teachers there and I have never asked her about the programs, but will this week. Your wife will be able to order from catalogs, Holly likes Penny's.

Visitation at Fluvanna, is pretty decent, I think we got three hours, but I am so happy to have any time with my niece that I was not even sure how long it really was. The greatest joy Linda and I have when we are up there next to seeing Holly, is watching the children - just being with Mom - it may be a "minute" before your children see her, but just being able to sit with her or on her lap (don't know how old they are) will be a joy for them.

The CO's, especially one, seem pretty decent to the families, there is one woman CO there that is just absolutely fantastic! She goes out of her way to make the first visit for family as decent as possible.

I know you won't, but don't forget your ten dollars of quarters for the vending machines, photo ID, and to take you car key off the chain and put it in a clear bag. Also, there you will be patted down each time you visit, it is not like what Linda said of visitation at Goochland where she was patted down only once.

Hang in there and be strong, you guys will get through this!

Patti

Dyles I'm glad that it worked out that she still wants to move. I hope that the first visit goes wonderful. Just tell your kids to hang on cause the visit will be so much more better than in county!!!!!!

dlyles,


Good going! Getting out of the local jails is a relief, you said she is in Virginia? She will most likely be sent to Fluvanna, not sure. Is she being sent there? My niece is there and a good friend.

Unfortunately, she will not have her own clothes, least not at Fluvanna, if she is going to VCCW at Goochland, I am not sure anymore, it has been awhile since I was there and most of the people I knew there are out or at Fluvanna.

The education programs, at least from what my niece says is pretty decent, and I should know, but don't, for my good friend is one of the teachers there and I have never asked her about the programs, but will this week. Your wife will be able to order from catalogs, Holly likes Penny's.

Visitation at Fluvanna, is pretty decent, I think we got three hours, but I am so happy to have any time with my niece that I was not even sure how long it really was. The greatest joy Linda and I have when we are up there next to seeing Holly, is watching the children - just being with Mom - it may be a "minute" before your children see her, but just being able to sit with her or on her lap (don't know how old they are) will be a joy for them.

The CO's, especially one, seem pretty decent to the families, there is one woman CO there that is just absolutely fantastic! She goes out of her way to make the first visit for family as decent as possible.

I know you won't, but don't forget your ten dollars of quarters for the vending machines, photo ID, and to take you car key off the chain and put it in a clear bag. Also, there you will be patted down each time you visit, it is not like what Linda said of visitation at Goochland where she was patted down only once.

Hang in there and be strong, you guys will get through this!

PattiWell I JUST spoke to her and she’s packing up now. She doesn’t know where she’s going, but I’m assuming it won’t be Fluvanna because that’s a max and she’s not a max inmate. Where she is now is a minimum / medium and she’s a minimum. She has some good friends in Goochland, so that would be cool (I don't know if she's ready for the bugs and stuff...lol). Either way, she said, she’s looking forward to getting out of county.

I called all three women's facilites and VCCW and Fluvanna's visits are 2 hours. Pochanatas has 6 hour visits. VCCW and Fluvanna said they're not too strict with the 2 hours. If visitation isn't that crowded and you're coming from some distance they'll let you stay longer. PCRJ was VERY strict about the two hours. Any other info anybody has on these facilites would be great.

Thanks for the insight.

I just called DOC and they told me she's in Fluvanna. Not quite what she wanted, but the good thing is they told me she won't be staying there. That's just where she'll be doing her intake, than she'll be transferred somewhere else once a bed opens up.

Dyles,
She is very lucky to have a husband who is looking out for her on the outside. I wish you all the best and I am praying for the 6 hour visits.

Take care
ONE

I just called DOC and they told me she's in Fluvanna. Not quite what she wanted, but the good thing is they told me she won't be staying there. That's just where she'll be doing her intake, than she'll be transferred somewhere else once a bed opens up.we should all be so lucky to have a man like you by our side, tell her a pto member said how fortunate she is to have you, let us know her final destination.

I thought I updated you guys, but guess I haven't. She's in Brunswick, which is a minimum security work camp. She said it's ok, as far as "freedoms". It's just a little further than I'm used to. PCRJ was 1 hr 15 minutes away. Brunswick is 3 1/2 hours away. We haven't been down there for 1 1/2 months and she's starting to feel it.