writeorwrong said:
Hi there, Monica. My WIP can use some info on just this subject. Can you tell me what sort of things prisoners request most in care packages from family members, is anything off limits? How about visitation, how long is the typical visit, and how often are visitors allowed?
Anything else you would like to share about the process people go through to have a typical visit, for example, do they check in, go through metal detector, etc. You may email me or vice versa, if you like.
Thanks!
Hi! I'll answer the best I can, although the rules do vary. My experience is all in the state of Virginia, and I know it's different in other states.
These days, family members can actually send very little directly to prisoners. Even books usually have to come directly from a publisher or other approved source. They definitely want books and magazines! (I've used Amazon, although it was a very convoluted process--my brother had to pay for it out of his inmate account, with money I sent to him.) Letters and pictures are fine, but usually no Polaroids (and there's a limit on the number of pictures in one envelope).
As far as other items, they always want CD players, CD's, other electronic devices, etc. Everything they receive has to be purchased through the system, and the process is long. They have catalogs of approved vendors they can order from, and the rules change from month to month. For example, an inmate may be able to order a CD player today, but tomorrow it's against the rules--so they may wait six months, a year, or more for one to be on the approved list again. When an inmate owns an item, they hold on to it for dear life, repairing it or rigging it, because they know they may not ever get another one. It's very common for those being released to hand over something like a CD player, small TV, or a book to a buddy--the ultimate gift, I think!
Some institutions inventory everything the inmate has in their foot locker, though, so if they're caught with something not in their inventory they can "catch a charge."
So what they always want is money orders. They can use this to buy all of those personal items that are allowed, plus extra food (Ramen noodles, snack crackers, peanut butter). Usually the money orders have to be sent in the mail, and takes several days to be credited to their inmate account.
The visitation process varies a lot between prisons, too. Generally they are allowed visits on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. Here's the basic process:
Visitors enter a waiting room-type area, where they sign in and wait for the inmate's name to be called. They usually walk through a metal detector to enter this waiting room.
After the inmate's name is called, visitors have to show a driver's license and fill out another short form. They have to be on an inmate's approved list of visitors. Children don't need to show i.d., but they have to be with their own parents or legal guardians (not grandparents).
Visitors place personal items in some sort of plastic container, like a bowl. This includes their car keys and money. No paper money is allowed (and some places are funny about pennies!) The money is for the vending machines inside. That's all they can bring. No sunglasses unless they are prescription glasses, no wallets, purses, or elaborate keychains. People usually bring their change in a clear plastic bag.
They enter a small room (about the size of a large walk-in closet), usually with a door that closes behind them. The room has diapers and a trashcan inside, and smells like dirty diapers. Women and girls go in with a female C.O. (correctional officer), men and boys with a male. Kids go in with their parents.
Everyone takes off their shoes, and gets patted down. This is a quick patdown; it might take about five seconds. You hold your arms out to the side, and the officer smooths their hands over your midsection (and underneath the breasts, on women) then the legs, really quickly, then checks the bottom of everyone's feet. The C.O. usually wears cheap plastic gloves.
Babies or toddlers in diapers have to get their diapers changed. The parent does this, and they choose a new one from the collection in the room. The C.O. sort of watches this, but doesn't really check the old diaper very closely!
Then everyone puts their shoes back on and goes through the "real" metal detector one at a time. There can't be anything in the pockets of their clothes or jackets, not even a piece of paper. By the way, there's a dress code--no sleeveless shirts, shorts, wraparound skirts, or overly-tight clothing. No white shirts for women that bras can be seen through, and skirts can't be too short. I always carried an extra set of clothes in my trunk, because the rules changed often and different officers have different opinions about what's allowed.
Then you wait for a big door to open. Sometimes you have to go outside to get to the main visitation building, which looks like a school gym. Only one door or sliding gate can be open at one time, so once you go through one, you wait for it to close before the next one will open. There might be two or three gates to go through.
The visitation room is also like a gym on the inside. It's open, and all of the inmates and families sit in the same room. There are plastic tables and chairs set up (usually short tables, so people can't "reach underneath" them). There are usually two or three C.O.'s in the room, sitting at a table. There are vending machines and microwaves, and every prison visiting room smells like burnt popcorn. Sometimes there's a play area for the kids with books and toys.
You usually have to wait when you get in the room for the inmate to get there. They have to come over to visitation and change into a jumpsuit for the visit. (Light blue, orange, or yellow. Different institutions have different colors--kind of like high school!) You're allowed one quick hug and/or kiss when you get there, and when you leave. The rest of the time you eat snacks and try to talk over the noise.
Visitation is about an hour; some places are more strict about the time limit than others. If they're not busy, you might be able to stay for two or three hours.
That's the gist of it! That's a long description, but it isn't really everything. Prison is all about procedures, and the inmates are familiar with every tiny rule. There are certain areas they can walk, bathroom rules, checkin/checkout procedures for them, etc. Sometimes they have to sit facing a certain direction and can't handle the vending machine money.
One thing to note is that it all seems perfectly normal. Everyone soon gets used to the rules, and by the time an inmate gets to a "real" prison, there usually aren't people sitting around crying. (That's for jail, which is a completely different process!)
I'm glad to answer any other questions you have--just let me know!
Monica
