I finally got a letter from my husband (postmarked Dec 1st). He said they were going to move him somewhere..... I have called the councelor, councelors supervisor and another department to ask where to send clothes to come home - January 9th. No reply - last info I got was to hold until I knew if thwy were moving him. I know I am supposed to send 30 days prior but, I hesitate considering he was not given a choice to mail his shoes home when he was taken in. They were donated or something. I know A yard is main line. I know B is reception BUT .... what is AB. My husband and I have made the decision not to bring our children to see him behind glass. I would like to bring them very much when and if he gets contact visits - but, no one will call me back - Even from the visiting department or tell me if he is still there, visiting info or anything. I am trying to figure out what A-B yard is so, I can draw my own conclusions but, I need help. Does anyone out there know what this AB place is and can you tell me what I need to know and how long it takes for them to move him. I know it is a cell with one other person but, that is all I know.

Never heard of it. A yard is a mainline level III and B yard is a Celled Reception Center yard.

With that said, they divide the buildings into sections. Usually A section and B section or in some cases A, B, and C Section. Could it be that is what they are talking about? Could he be in a building on B yard in A section? or vice versa?

I am not sure. I talked to someone in records today. They said they still show him in reception. His letters I have gotten say that he is in a cell waiting to be moved. The out side of the letter says A 5 B and then the bed #. So, I am not sure - The letter just said he was waiting to moved. He gets released Jan 9th so, not sure why they would move him to another prison or if they will even move him to main line but, he is in a cell now and not in a big pod like before. He said they were so over crowded that he was moved a few times in the pod and finally to a medical room where their were sick people because they have no room and I guess there was way more men then it was meant to hold. I imagine though that most prisons are over crowded so, they probably cannot do anything about being over capacity....I am not sure how that works. I would think that there are maximum capacity laws for safety issues but, on the other hand if there is no room then I guess they have to fit them in as best they can. I tried to ask what A 5 B meant but the person I spoke with didn't even know.

Also, I asked if he could have contact visits because we made the decision not to take them and have them see him behind glass. The person I spoke to said he still can have the behind the glass visits only but, the address is 4400 - which I believe to be the main line address so, I am not sure what is going on.

I am not sure. I talked to someone in records today. They said they still show him in reception. His letters I have gotten say that he is in a cell waiting to be moved. The out side of the letter says A 5 B and then the bed #. So, I am not sure - The letter just said he was waiting to moved. He gets released Jan 9th so, not sure why they would move him to another prison or if they will even move him to main line but, he is in a cell now and not in a big pod like before. He said they were so over crowded that he was moved a few times in the pod and finally to a medical room where their were sick people because they have no room and I guess there was way more men then it was meant to hold. I imagine though that most prisons are over crowded so, they probably cannot do anything about being over capacity....I am not sure how that works. I would think that there are maximum capacity laws for safety issues but, on the other hand if there is no room then I guess they have to fit them in as best they can. I tried to ask what A 5 B meant but the person I spoke with didn't even know.


When my Son was in Reception which was like for 4 months. When he was 10 days from being transferrred to a Prison where he would do the remainder of his time he was moved to something like what you are describing. It was a yard but it was on mainline but actually still reception due to the overcrowding. They are put there before they move them 10 days but I did not get contact at all no phone no letters for security reasons. they dont want anyone to know when they move them. But I dont understand if yours is getting released? Maybe they do that also?

Thank you for the info. I guess I should just consider myself lucky that he is released in January. We thought it would be longer... It is still hard though not knowing where he is or if he is okay. I am sure he would call if he could. I never knew anything about the system before. I totally undersatnd that my husband is there becasue he broke the rules (he broke probation) When I was in court (for my husband) I saw people who filled out their probabtion slips wrong and even though it wasn't a rule broken surrounding drugs or alcohol - the judge said every time that a law is a law and all the conditions of probabtion have to be followed. Then he sent these people back to prison for filling a piece of paper out wrong or being late on sending it. I can appreciate the fact that the judges are tough because I mean .. you never know what some of these people did in the first place. But, since all the conditions of probabtion, parole or whatever the circumstance has to be followed - it seems like the state would have to follow all the laws and rules to about safety issues and capacity laws for safety issues. I can understand in a way that they cannot give me much info because it is a rule and the people I have talked to may jsut been doing their job to not break the rules. Some things I can not understand about it though. When I used to think about prison I would think it was a place for punishment (given) but also a place for reabilitation but, I am not sure what to think about it now. I stumbled upon a site about Wasco on the web. It is written by employees. They seem very disgruntled. I can totally understand that there are all sorts of people in prison so, sure they have to be careful and alert all the time. I can imagine that they have to be very unguard for safety reasons but, this site was mostly containing info about how their leadership was screwed up and how things were done wrong and how the employees of the prison were not treated good by the higher ups that worked there. So, like I said I am not sure what t think about the prison system at all. I mean I know prisons are a necessary place in society but, could things be done differently to make it better. Here is an example of something posted right from their site today. It totally describes what I am saying. I know I am getting way off track on where my husband is but wanted to share.
Administration sets up staff for failure at WSP-RC

"As many of you who have worked other institutions know, every institution has it's problems. Wasco is no exception in this area with the exception that the problems only seem to get worse here and nobody seems to be able to put there finger on the reason why. I believe that the people in charge (Captains and above) were idiots before they promoted and now that they are in administrative positions their stupidity is only exacerbated."

http://www.ccpoa-wascostateprison.com/First_Amendment.htm

Having worked at Wasco for a while I can tell you the reason the staff are unhappy. In most prisons staff and administration is busy dealing with inmate problems. Wasco is mostly reception center, they have 4 yards for RC. Reception Center program is minmal. The inmates are locked up or on their bunks the vast majority of the time. The inmates are also in and out so there isn't time to coordinate gangs, drugs, weapons, etc. to the degree that mainlines do.

What does that mean? There aren't nearly as many serious problems there as most mainline prisons. So you have administration and staff with nothing to keep them occupied, so they turn on each other.

That is of course just my opinion.

I can totally understand what you are saying but, it is strange to me. Isn't gangs, drugs, weapons, etc exactly what law inforcement does not want to find??? I mean I know they have to look for it to make sure they are safe and everyone else is but, if it is not there as much as other prisons it looks like it would be a happier place to work because the staff would feel a little safer then other places.

They have interesting post on that site, very interesting and controversial.

My boyfriend was just sent to Wasco about a week and 1/2 ago and my ??? to Sgt. Ano. is I received a letter from him less than a week after he was there but he wrote that I letters will not get to him untill about three weeks from when they were sent. Do they hold mail for what specific reason or does it just take that long to prosess? Also if he isnt receiving any of my mail for "policies" will it be returned to me or do they save it? Im confused so sorry if these are pretty petty questions. All of your post have been honest and helpful so I appreciate anything you are able to tell me thank you.

Hi
My son has been at Wasco Reception C3A since Oct 29th - it took about 2 weeks for me to receive a letter & then my letters were slow to get to him, it has sped up now - he says things are cool there - he treats others with respect and they treat him likewise, he says it's BORING as they stay in a lot, not much to do - I appreicate all I can read about Wasco & hope I can ease your mind. Stay strong.

I finally got a letter from my husband (postmarked Dec 1st). He said they were going to move him somewhere..... I have called the councelor, councelors supervisor and another department to ask where to send clothes to come home - January 9th. No reply - last info I got was to hold until I knew if thwy were moving him. I know I am supposed to send 30 days prior but, I hesitate considering he was not given a choice to mail his shoes home when he was taken in. They were donated or something. I know A yard is main line. I know B is reception BUT .... what is AB. My husband and I have made the decision not to bring our children to see him behind glass. I would like to bring them very much when and if he gets contact visits - but, no one will call me back - Even from the visiting department or tell me if he is still there, visiting info or anything. I am trying to figure out what A-B yard is so, I can draw my own conclusions but, I need help. Does anyone out there know what this AB place is and can you tell me what I need to know and how long it takes for them to move him. I know it is a cell with one other person but, that is all I know.

Not all of the A yard is main line. my honey just got moved to the A-4 Yard and it is still reception there. visits are still behind glass over the phone. I called his counseler today after getting a letter from him. His counseler said that once they are moved to a different yard usually the A-B yard (meaning either the A or B yard) i know that if his CDC number ends in a 22 his counseler is B. Johnson. and if you want to know her extention send me a priv. message and ill be more than happy to give it to you and the hours that she is in her office. she has been very helpful to me. and also if you want to find out if he is still there or what yard he is in call 661-758-8400 and when the recording comes on push 1 for more options then when that recording comes on push 4 for inmate records. give that person his CDC number and they will tell you where he is. If there is anything else i can help you with please send me a message and ill try and find out as much info for you as i can. hope i have helped some.

Marge, A4 is a split building that they use as an Ad/Seg or Reception overflow when needed.


Coulter, Yes, the mail can take that long to process. If the mail isn't allowed it will be returned to you.

How are you suppose to know if mail is not allowed? I have sent SOOOOO much mail please tell me that he will get it one day =) And I started sending it out the 1st of Dec...wouldnt it have been sent back by now?

Hi everyone ... My fiance has been at Wasco since about February of this year. I can tell you all about the EVIL WASCO mail Room that is what he and i call it anyhow.

Dont send to much at one time. I mean you can send lots of letters or cards at one time like in different envelopes of course. But don't send to many pictures all at once ... and make sure to only send 6 per envelope and put his name and CDC # on the back of each one. I have sent it with out it (on accident) but there is always a chance it may not get to him.

Also you Can only send Paper with Lines on it. I spent $30+ on Stationery and sent it out in 3 Different Large Envelopes He never got it.... and it never got sent back to me.... i complained and filed a report with the post office for them to do an investigation (or something like that) to find out what happened to it .... But NEVER HEARD ANYTHING:angry:

They can get 20 embossed envelopes at a time.

If they are in reception ... Yes it takes 3 or more weeks for them to get your letters .... Sometimes they slip up and it gets to them quicker.... But it will drive you insane if you let it. But dont. Just keep writing anyhow..... he'll be thrilled when he gets the letters no matter how far behind they are.

My fiance gets his letters now usually the latest is a week after i send them once in awhile he will get them in a few days ..... but not often.

I have sent Tons and Tons ..... of Mail.... anything and everything and have gotten some back ....

Anything else anyone wants to know just ask.

Oh yeah you can also call the Mail room at wasco and they'll answer your questions

My husband was in Wasco Rc but has been mainlined to Soledad. The people in the mail room are great. They will tell you everything that you can and can not send. In fact the one lady that answers the phone there will talk to you for long periods at a time. Her na dI have talkened many times. SHe went over step by step what can and can not be sent with me. One thing I didnt knwo ntil I spoke to her is. The money that you send to them while in Wasco RC will go with them and they wont have any money taken out of it to put towards their restution or fines. That it isnt until they are mainlined that they start doing that. So she advised me to get as much off as possiable now or he will be hit with 35 percent taken out after he gets mainlined. So if we send 100 he gets 65. That is a lot if you ask me. I mean I know they have to pay their fees I respect that. But I feel like we are paying them not the inmates. If I send money to my husband I want it for him not them. Anyway another thing that she told me was at Wasco it doesnt have to be a postal moneyorder that the money orders that can be from any store. The county jail I had to do postal. The one thing she told me that really helped was the post cards. The postcards get to them in like 2 to 4 days at the most. Being they dont have to search them they get passed right on. So when I had something I wanted to tell him like the score to the games or something I would just post card.

Thank you so much for all that info....I just want to know why <sorry so repetitive> they "hold" mail for 3 weeks. And if you send mail before three weeks is up will they send it back to me? Also not sure if anyone knows this or not.....but if he got there the beg. of Dec. and he only is sent. for a year will he get out of reception quicker and is it pretty likely he will serve his time there? As all of you I miss him so much and this site is the ONLY way I can keep my head above water so thank you. =)

They don't hold the mail. It just takes a while to process it and deliver it to the inmate.

When my husband first got there the mail was so slow, I think it took like 2 weeks at least to get my mail to him. Now my husband is doing a 16 month bid. Which means he will do 8 months and was in Wasco from Aug until about the middle of October. I have heard different things about how long they stay.I heard of some that stayed 45 days and others that have stayed more then 90 days.

And yes if you mail him something and he is mainlined before he gets it, They will send to where he is at. My husband is just getting some letters that i sent him while he was in Wasco. So he will get it just will take a while.

I know what you mean about PTO (The site) helping you keep your head above water. This site has been a God send to me.

Hope that all helps.
Yankee
Thank you so much for all that info....I just want to know why <sorry so repetitive> they "hold" mail for 3 weeks. And if you send mail before three weeks is up will they send it back to me? Also not sure if anyone knows this or not.....but if he got there the beg. of Dec. and he only is sent. for a year will he get ou of reception quicker and is it pretty likely he will serve his time there? As all of you I miss him so much and this site is the ONLY way I can keep my head above water so thank you. =)

thank you all for the information on Wasco - my son has been there since 10/29/04, mail is up to date now, thx for info on post cards - I try to follow all the mail rules - all OK there, mostly boredom & waiting to transfer - I will send m.o. too, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I too would be lost without everyone here.

does anyone know if i can send a postal money order directley to my fiance in one of his letters with his cdc# and name of course to him?

thank you for anyone that can help answer my question. regarding the postal money order if i can send it with my fiances letter directly to him.????

You can send it directly to your fiance' in a letter. The mail room will remove it and give it to the proper people to put on his books.

i SENT MY HUSBAND 5 PICTURES, ON MAY 4TH,2006 AS OF TODAY 5/27/06 HE STILL HASN'T RCVD THEM . I'VE CALLED THE MAIL ROOM AT WASCO AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THAT AS LONG AS THE PHOTOS WEREN'T EXPLICIT THAT HE SHOULD'VE RCVD THEM BY NOW. I SAID I PUT HIS NAME CDC# AND HIS HOUSING LOCATION ON THE BACK OF EACH ONE, SO THAT HE WOULD BE SURE TO GET THEM. ALL THE MAIL ROOM CLERK THAT HANDLES MAIL FOR THAT PARTICULAR DORM SAID MAYBE THE CO'S THAT RUN THAT DORM HAVE THE LETTER W/ THE PHOTOS & ANY DAY NOW THEY'LL BE HANDED TO MY HUSBAND. MY HUSBAND SAYS HE GETS HIS MAIL RIGHT AWAY , LIKE 3 TO 4 DAYS AFTER I SEND THEM, SO WHY IS IT THAT THE ONLY LETTER HE DIDN'T RCV IS THE ONE W/ THE PICTURES. IT RIDUCULOUS. ISN'T TAMPERING WITH MAIL A FEDERAL OFFENSE. BY TAMPERING I MEAN ALTERING CONTENTS ,ETC.?