Can they remove items from packages?

tilldeathpartus · #1 04-04-2004, 09:24 AM

my husband is currently at Wyoming and I've sent him 3 packages in total within the last couple of weeks but even though i write down everything i send him when he gets the package its ALWAYS short there's always stuff missing IM not about to get petty because at least IM able to send him stuff but is this happening to anyone else?? my brother was in governer and he said the packages were always open in front of him my husband said not were he's at it's open and already in a bag by the time he gets it blankets,sweats,lotions etc. have come up missing is there anything i could do to make sure it doesn't happen anymore?

LeaAnn · #2 04-04-2004, 09:35 AM

Maybe your best bet would to take them with you on a visit because they go through it right then and there.

Jaded333 · #3 04-04-2004, 12:45 PM

Hi there Tilldeathpartus, My man is at Gowanda I am in Florida and have no choice but to mail his things. They always reject something I send and they tell him he has the option to donate it or PAY to send it home..He always pays to send it home even if it is just candy cause he says he doesn't want them to get it. I know how he feels but we have paid more postage on stuff than it is even worth LOL...The fact that it has happened to you more than once I can only assume someone is simply stealing his stuff...I assume you have asked him if he was given the option of donating it because he was not allowed that item???? sorry you are having problems believe me I know how frustrating it is!!!! You could always order from a catalog or 3rd person. I know that isn't as personal and can be pricey...but I think who ever is helping them selves to his stuff may be less likely to??? Judy

Monique281 · #4 04-06-2004, 10:30 AM

I thought they were only allowed 2 packages a month maybe that could be a reason. I am not sure but I did read somewhere they were only allowed 2 packages a month regardless if they reached their 35lb limit.

AdRiAnSgirl · #5 04-06-2004, 12:08 PM

Hey all.... they probably arent letting things thru if they cost over a certain limit, a color thats not allowed, products containing alcohol or that arent hermetically sealed.. etc. Theres alot of different reasons, i doubt someone is stealing them. Give it some time and i bet the items will be returned to you from the facility. You can probably call and ask for the package room n find out what happened to these items. About the 35lb./2 packages a month thing- thats just for food, you can send 10 packages a month if its things other than food. But for the food it can only be 35lbs/month contained in 2 packages. Hope this helps!!!! Good luck!

Monique281 · #6 04-06-2004, 01:18 PM

AdriansGirl that's for that information because I thought you could only send 2 packages a month for anything.

AdRiAnSgirl · #7 04-06-2004, 05:40 PM

No problem Monique.. glad i could help! It took me awhile to get the hang of that too... but if u send like 1 little bag of chips in a package of clothes, sneakers, towels.. etc, that counts as 1 food package.. so you only have 1 food package left for the month. Bringing food into the facility at visitation counts as a food package and towards the 35lbs/month too... It can get confusing!

j2sq · #8 04-06-2004, 06:14 PM

i am not sure what ya can do but, i know that this has happened to me!!

where he is at, elmira, they check all the stuff first. i am only able to get him food packages and when he gets it, it is soooo "light". he knows that they have been taking stuff! they dump all the stuff out into a clear "bulk like" bag and give it to him that way.

like i said--not sure what to tell ya...good luck!

caprione · #9 04-06-2004, 06:35 PM

[b]"We" are at Wyoming. smiles... Lately I just (mostly) take in things on visits and always with copies of the receipts, so they know I can prove what I brought in. That way there is no excuse for stuff getting 'lost', they give me back what he can't have at the end of a visit. I know some people are too far away and just don't get to visit so that doesn't work for everyone. I get to go once a month.
Through the mails, my husband's packages are already opened also. They put what he can't have in a seperate bag. If there is stuff in a mailed in package that he can't have, they are suppsoed to show him and find out what to do with it. He has the option of mailing it back to me or 'donating' it. He also has the option of asking for a 'Sergents review' (say a beige shirt is being called grey) and it may or may not get approval but he can request the review.
I would say have proof of everything you send, receipts, etc. If he doesn't get them and you don't get them back, you certainly have a right to ask who to speak to about it and then find out from that person what to do about the situation(s).
You can ask your questions in a positive way and with genuine concern for where the items are since your loved one didn't get them
Caprione

tilldeathpartus · #10 04-06-2004, 07:43 PM

hanxs everybody!!! as far as 1 package of food monthly thats 35 pounds that is true but he got there in the middle of the month and i sent the food right away so being that he received it on the 30th it sill counted as his march package so in a couple of days i sent him another which was his April package (needless to say he was happy) but i guess we have to just grin and bear it and be happy we could at least do what we can and yes your right cosmetic, toiletries, clothes, sneakers etc. have no limit

TRICIAB · #11 04-07-2004, 08:00 AM

The problem with mailing packages yourself is most people do not fully understand the
directives especially 4911 which controls most items also- individual facilities
have some latitude in interperting 4911

also, if items are missing its your word against the package room officers

this is why I use a third party such as Bust The Move - companies like this have
the directives well understood and thet have the ability to track the package
they also provide " formal " packing lists with each package. therefor there is less possibility to tamper with the package at the facility.
The very few times I have had a problem they were able to get it cleared up

TRICIAB

Luv2Luv · #12 04-07-2004, 10:52 AM

If your sending packages via the mail system. Write him a letter with a list
of what in the package, so he'll have a heads up.

K-love · #13 10-24-2004, 12:14 AM

tilldeathpartus, sweetheart it happened to me too, my husband said that the packaging officer snatched some of his things, why I don't know, it's crazy.

MsAkbar · #14 10-24-2004, 07:25 AM

I use to be a CO in NY. Let me tell you what ever is NOT allowed into the facility does NOT get consumed by the officers. We have NO idea what is in the food and I have NEVER seen any officer take food or anything from a package. I worked at 2 different facilities in NY state and never witnessed anything like that. Half the time if an inmate didn't want something if they don't send it home they throw it in the garbage. I can't speak for all prisons and all people, but I have never seen an officer take something out of a package.

Manzanita · #15 10-25-2004, 07:17 PM

I closed this because I added the question was answered and we have a package room sticky to post in about packages.