Lancaster ( aka: Are we visiting Hell?)

Cheetoes1 · #1 09-11-2005, 09:14 AM

As of Saturday September 10, 2005 visitors will only be allowed to wear 1 necklace, 1 ring, 1 pair of earings, 1 bracelet and 1 watch. Also, no facial piercings are allowed!!

If you go in with more than 1 item or facical piercings, you will either have to put the items back in vehicle or throw them out.

Unfortunately, I chose to throw all my excess jewerly ( 4 small stud earings and 3 plastic bracelets) at the CO yesterday

I don't recommend this!!

Yikes!! I can't handle it any longer!!

denverswife · #2 09-11-2005, 08:53 PM

Thats been the rule at High Desert for years now.... And they wirte on your visiting slip exactly what jewelry they DO allow you to wear in.

qwerty · #3 09-20-2005, 11:14 PM

Oh Cheetoes honey, I feel so bad for you!!! I so do not miss Lancaster... makes you wonder how the state's other prisons have survived all this time without the same "security" rules?

Now that I'm not there, I think back on the "raise your hands to see how short your top is" routine and laugh, but at the time it made me scream...

denverswife · #4 09-21-2005, 09:14 PM

CCC Susanville does the "raise you arms" check, too!

Cheetoes1 · #5 09-21-2005, 10:40 PM

Oh, it's way more than the "lift your arms" at Lancaster. It's pull the pockets out of your pants, run your fingers along your waist band of your pants/skirt, turn around and show the bottoms of your feet. Over the last 19 months, I wonder how many male officers have seen my stomach and underpants? I'm not joking!!

I actually told my husband I wasn't going to visit again for awhile ( he thought it was going to be a week, poor guy!!) And by the grace of God, I lost my wallet last week and do not have a photo ID!!

qwerty · #6 09-22-2005, 02:34 AM

Actually, my worst memory of Lancaster is the overwhelming smell of micorwave popcorn! Because the vending machines always ran out and popcorn was the only thing left LOL.

We do have the pocket check too at PV. It's all so crazy, you wonder who the heck tried to smuggle something in on the bottom of their feet??

Cheetoes1 · #7 09-22-2005, 09:06 AM

You totally made my day!! LOL Oh yes, there has been many a visit where we have only had food from the candy machine!! Yikes!!

okie · #8 09-22-2005, 10:13 AM

I only went to visit my father once there, that was enough for me ! We didn't understand why we had to get into line at 3 in the morning- around the corner from the prison?We were real confused. We came in from New Mexico in an old ford ranger truck so the tool box was full of tools- of course we were turned around at the gate and made to park next door and walk in.(My mom was like 'what do you mean I have to get rid of my wire cutters??') Even after walking in we were made to stop at the trailer up front and leave our truck keys- we weren't warned in advance that only 2 keys are allowed on you. After we got to that one part of the prison I though my mother was going to come unglued because of the searches on us children...she was cussing and raising all kinds of caos because we looked so much like 'mules' carrying in our father 'some much needed drugs.'(yeah right) Finally they get us loaded on the golf cart and carry us across the prison to his visiting room. They do not post in the visiting room that children are not allowed to go to the vending machines alone so we are in trouble again... WE do not understand the little tables in the room- about knee high so we are cracking jokes to one another and we find out that they like you to be REAL QUIET while waiting on your prisoner to arrive. Even though our visit was almost 6 hours long it was the most uncomfortable 6 hours I ever saw my parents together in their lifes - they were married almost 30 years and seemed afraid to even hold hands on top of the table. But then again maybe thats because they traded places and learned that the prisoner has to face the C.O. at all times or we were going to be made to leave. So I can say from my experience at that place that it would be a good idea for the prison to post rules before you enter because if you have never visited a place like that before you are clueless......sam

teajai71 · #9 12-22-2005, 08:48 AM

My husband just went to reception at Lancaster last week. Does anyone know how long it will take until I can visit him? I know that in reception the visits are non-contact so I wanna know if the dress code and restrictions are the same as those getting contact visits?

TS

Cheetoes1 · #10 12-23-2005, 12:50 AM

The clothing restrictions will still be the same. I have no idea how long it takes to get approved at Lancaster, but I would get your visiting application in ASAP. I also have no idea how long it will be until reception inmates have visits. Right now there is only 3 or 4 ( I have never actually counted them ) non contact booths in the visiting room.

When you do get approved to visit, feel free to PM me and I can give you any info you need.

KellyA.

**monet420** · #11 12-23-2005, 12:57 AM

thats how it is in Ironwood except for the facial jewelry