need help bad

[aunt_d]

can anyone help me with what my family is about to face my dad is about to get sent to a prison but i know there is something first. what is it ans does anyone know anything about it? i have no clue what is about to happen and i am scared to death.. please someone help me.. thanx dawn

[MoMo]

Has he gone to trial? I am a little lost with your question. We are hear to help dont worry!!

[aunt_d]

yes he got 20 years..but he is innocent and the jugde and da are very dirty. so we are hopeing for the appeal. but that's down the road i guess. i am scared to death i have no clue how long it takes for appeals and what prison is life ..my dad has never even had a speeding ticket..i'm so lost here. i just want to know what we are about to face..

[Silva]

ok, innocent or guilty, your dad will go through the system just like everyone else. If he is still in county jail now, he will be waiting to catch the chain (the busses that transport inmates between county and TDC facilities, and between different TDC facilities). They wont tell him until about 15 minutes before he is about to go, so he wont be able to tell you, but a lot of guys ask one of their cellies to either call or mail a letter to a family member to let them know he is on his way to TDC.

He will then be strip searched before he leaves county, dressed, and shackled and/or handcuffed to another inmate, loaded onto a bus and driven pretty much anywhere in Texas that has room for them. He will go to a Transfer unit, where he will be tested for all kinds of things (education, health, psychology, the works) and then they will decide where to send him after that. He could stay in Transfer facilities for up to 2 years. They are generally only allowed to take their bible with them and sometimes a photo, any money they have while in county will be sent down to Huntsville and they have to wait for it to show on their trust fund (their 'books') which can take 3 weeks. He will be given 5 stamps, some paper and some envelopes and then he can write to you and let you know where he is when he gets his TDC #. This little number is the most important thing you'll have from him because it means (in theory) you can find him anywhere in the TDC system.

You can call the TDC Inmate Locator (I only have the out of state number for it: 936 295 6371) to find out when he is on thier system ~ it takes about 3 days but could take longer. You will need his full name and date of birth for that. From Ray's experience, your dad will hopefully be housed with other older guys, and if it looks like he's staying in the unit for a while they will assign him a job. Once you have his TDC #, you can send him money (J-pay is the easiest and quickest way) because he wont be able to earn any (legally) while he is in prison. They have indigent supplies, but if you want him to write regularly, you are going to have to send him money.

Check with the unit as to when he can receive visits, contact visits dont happen until after the first 90 days of them being in TDC (if he is eligible for contact visits). And when he has been there for 90 days, if he hasnt picked up a new case and the guards are in a good mood, he MIGHT be able to make a 5 minute collect call to you, but these dont happen very often so dont hold your breath.

That's pretty much where Ray is at now, I dont think I can add any more but if you have any more questions the other ladies will be able to help you.


And a year ago, I wouldnt have been able to write any of that!

[aunt_d]

thank you so much for your reply.i am so glad i found this place. i don't know what i would do without everyones help..thanx dawn