A Discussion of What to Expect at VSPW
An e-mail discussion between a volunteer and a newly sentenced woman
The following email correspondence was between the webmaster for the VSPW-IFC site and a woman who was to turn herself in for a 40-month prison term. She found the website and began this correspondence in an attempt to find out everything she could about the California prison system prior to being incarcerated. This is an ongoing correspondence, and this document offers a ‘snapshot’ of what it might be like for a new person entering the system. Not everything is in perfect order in this document, as some of the correspondence includes multiple email streams. I’ve tried to put them in order for you.
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From: Z
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:27 PM
To: lonemt@hughes.net
Subject: CHOWCHILLA
IS THE RECEPTION HANDBOOK THE SAME FOR CHOWCHIILA WOMENS AS IT IS FOR VSPW?
WHAT ARE THE MAILING ADDRESSES FOR CHOWCHILLA? IS THERE AN IFC AT CHOWCHILLA?
THANK YOU,
Z
Dear Z:
There are two women’s prisons in Chowchilla. One is VSPW, and the other one (right across the street from VSPW) is CCWF. Between the two of them, they house around 8,000 women. The only other state women’s prison in California is down in Corona (CIW). The Reception Handbook is the VSPW handbook. I’m not certain if CCWF has the same handbook information, but I could check with someone across the street, if you need that information instead.
The mailing address for inmate mail going to VSPW is PO Box 92, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0092.
The mailing address for inmate mail going to CCWF is PO Box 1508, Chowchilla, CA 93610-1508.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask any time. I’ll try to answer them!
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rubinstein
VSPW Inmate Family Council volunteer
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From: Z
I understand that women from Ventura County are usually taken to the CCWF. Is there any information regarding the "reception process" at that facility?
What are the differences from the two facilites and does the IFC have a trailor at CCWF?
Thank you,
Z
Dear Z:
The Reception buildings are exactly the same at both CCWF and VSPW, and I imagine that the reception process is similar at both places. Essentially, the women get there, get logged in, get their housing assignments on A Yard and get the same testing, etc. The main difference between VSPW and CCWF is that there is an area on CCWF where they house the death row women. There are outside trailers at each facility for the “Friends Outside” group. The Inmate Family Council is strictly a volunteer group that meets with the wardens and administrators every other month, to share the concerns of families with the administration, and get information to share with families about what is happening at the prisons. Friends Outside actually provides several services right there on-site, and are available for parole services and stuff like that. You might want to check out their website some time. At VSPW, they have a trailer where children can stay while their parents are visiting.
I take it you are new to all of this, and have a loved one who is going to be sent to Chowchilla (or may already be there?).
Apparently you’ve been to the www.vspw-ifc.com website. You should look in the “STORIES” section. There are a couple about what to expect in Receiving. That might be some help.
Sincerely,
Nrubinstein
VSPW IFC
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From: Z
Thank you so much for all of the information.
Actually, I am most likely going to be sent there. I am trying to grasp as much information as I can, so that I can be prepared. I have never been in any trouble and am very unfamiliar to this process. I am trying to make it as easy for my family as I can.
I would love to be able to volunteer with your organization when I can put all of this behind.
Do you know if they have a Battered Women's Therapy group at the CCWF facility?
Sincerely,
Z
Dear Z:
It’s so wise to get as much information as possible ahead of time. It makes the whole situation a lot less frightening. Another site with valuable information is the Prison Fellowship group – they used to have an excellent booklet (available online) that gave advice for new inmates; basically, listen more than you talk, don’t gamble, don’t borrow and don’t lend. That’s the distilled version.
When you first get there, you’ll be stuck in a cement-floored room with cement bench around the wall, with a toilet, with all the women that come in with you. You may be there for quite a while, depending on how large the group is and how far behind they are in Receiving. It’s going to be very, very noisy. In fact, all of A Yard tends to be very noisy – the guards are louder there, and yell more than on the general yards, and they LOVE to blare the loudspeaker all hours. They say one of the really hard parts is to know what the ‘rules’ are, because no one really tells you the details and you just have to learn by experience. Things like which line to stand behind, what time things happen, stuff like that. Just keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll catch the details pretty fast.
People will be looking to take advantage of anyone who appears vulnerable, so that’s part of the reason you should keep your own council as much as possible at first.
Oh, and you won’t be allowed to use the phone for a while. I’m guessing that you have loved ones who will be keeping in touch with you? Tell them to get in touch with me and I’ll help them get your room assignment number and CDCR number within 24 hours of your arrival (I need your full name and a birthdate, and I know some tricks to get your info pretty fast). Then they should immediately send you a letter with up to 40 postage stamps enclosed immediately. You will be able to use postage stamps to trade for items you need, like a pencil or extra paper. Postage stamps are a trade item, and can be really handy. Also, you’ll be able to “shop” at the canteen within 30 days of getting there, so as soon as you know your CDCR number and room assignment, if anyone can send you some money for your books, you should get them to do that as soon as possible. I think that there’s still a little lag time between the start of your time and when they start taking out the 55% restitution. (But I’m not sure of that. Do you have restitution?) Anyhow, early money may slip under that particular radar….. After everything is set up, and you want to be able to get hygiene products, extra food, etc., then you should encourage your family to send you in a Quarterly Package rather than buying your items strictly from the canteen. That way, they can send in items that haven’t been reduced due to the restitution charges at the prison. The prison doesn’t charge any restitution fees on goods from a vendor.
You’ll have to purchase your own soap and shampoo and detergent unless you’re indigent. Indigent basically means having less than $1 on your books for 30 days. Which is pretty difficult and not a fun place to be financially. I’m guessing that you’ll have some sort of money of your own, so you won’t qualify for the small amount of indigent help that the prison has to provide for the poorest of the poorest.
Oh, you should also look on our website page regarding stationery that can be sent in. Ask someone to send you in writing materials as soon as possible. These can also be used as trade goods, of course. And you are allowed up to 5 paperback books while you’re in Reception, and up to 10 once you get to the mainline yards. And there is no limit on magazines, newspapers, etc., but they can take a while to get delivered, especially at first when you’ll probably do a lot of moving around.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you can think of, and I’ll try to get you the information you need.
Sincerely,
Nancy Rubinstein
VSPW IFC
P.S.
I forgot to answer your question about Battered Women’s groups. Right now, everything official has sort of ground to a halt, due to the budget problems…… However, there are some inmates who have put together some help groups, and you may be able to participate after you’ve been there for a while. There are many, many DV survivors in there, and it is something that is really important for the women, and the administrators recognize this.
NLR
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From: Z
Dear Nancy,
In the last email, you mention books. What books are you referring to? I have no idea how I am going to survive this. I am not a street smart woman to say the least.
I will have my sister contact you. Is email the best way of communicating?
Thank you so much for taking time to answer back so quickly.
Z
Dear Z:
Reading books. Family and friends can send you in books to read, but the books must be paperback, and they must be ordered from a book distributor and sent directly in from the vendor – for instance from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com. Please let them know that the books are supposed to be NEW. Some of the men’s prisons allow used book vendors, but the VSPW R&R people have not allowed used books at VSPW.
Email is the best way to keep in touch with me – I’ll be traveling tomorrow through Sunday, but I’ll take my laptop with me and should be able to get online here and there. If you don’t get an answer right away, it’s only because I haven’t been able to check my email….but I WILL get back to you with info at some point.
You’re going to do okay. It’s not fun, for sure, but you will survive. Women aren’t dangerous like the men can be, so you will come through without getting hurt or messed with. The guards and administrators can be very obnoxious and demeaning, but there ARE some good ones there, and there are rules in place that you can use to effectively complain about things, or to ask for help. You will quickly learn about things like the “602” form, which is what you use to complain about ANYTHING that’s bothering you, for instance. My sister used the ‘602’ process to complain when a bunch of women got their pillows taken away, and the outcome was that everyone got a new pillow…… There are groups inside that are established to help women. Some of them aren’t tremendously effective, but sometimes they help with problems. There’s the Women’s Advisory Committee (the WAC), a group that is elected by inmates and represents the inmate concerns to the administration, for instance. There is the IFC, which consists of families outside, and who can sometimes know who to call and how to get some small things done. So knowing about these things gives you more power. Make sure to keep in touch with your family and if you have problems, let them know. They can try to get answers for you, and sometimes problems are solved just because the prison administration knows that you have a pair of eyes watching out for you. That’s always a good thing when it comes to medical issues. There will be a “Medical Release of Information” form that should be offered to you during intake, and you should sign it and designate a family member to be able to discuss your medical needs with the Medical department. That way, if a problem comes up, they have the right to talk to the medical staff on your behalf.
You will undoubtedly learn a lot in the process you’ll be going through, but the most important thing is to be absolutely sure that you never, ever go back there again. Keep that in mind, and you will be okay. Too many women end up trapped in vicious circles that return them to prison over and over again….and you’ll see a lot of those women on A Yard.
Again, when you get bussed up to Chowchilla, tell your family to contact me and I’ll help them find you as fast as possible so they can start sending you mail.
Did you get a look at the list of stationery that they can send in, and did you have any questions about that? Here’s the page link… MailNew2009.html
Sincerely, Nancy R.
PS:
I didn’t finish answering your questions in that last email, so here’s a follow-up:
I’m not sure how they do reception at CIW, so I’m not sure that you wouldn’t have to first be processed up in Chowchilla, and then sent back down to CIW. It’s tricky getting into CIW, because it’s the one EVERYONE wants to be in (mainly because it’s closer to the majority of women’s families), and it’s extremely overcrowded. About the only way that you could request that prison is by having documentation about how a visiting family member is unable to travel all the way to Chowchilla because of a serious medical condition, and could only visit you at CIW. However, these types of transfers haven’t been happening lately, and I don’t know if it would carry much weight, especially if you’re going to be there for only a short period of time (less than 5 years).
You can receive any type of periodical on A Yard – magazines, puzzlebooks, newspapers. You can’t get a Quarterly Package on A Yard, but you should only be there for about 30 days, so once you’re “over the wall”, you can get one…..you should be able to do that within the first quarter that you are there, hopefully. Meanwhile, money that transfers with you shouldn’t be subject to restitution fees, so you can plan on shopping canteen within 30 days of getting there, anyhow.
There are laundry facilities in each of the general housing units, but I’m not sure about A Yard (not Ad Seg or SHU, but that shouldn’t be a concern to you). However, you’ll be wearing state-issued items for a while, and those are picked up regularly and washed by porters, then redistributed. You’re supposed to get soap right away; they’ll give you a small baggie of personal hygiene items when you first get there. It includes a bar of soap, a small toothbrush, a little pencil and some envelopes, I think. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing. Sometimes, people who have been there a while, especially once you get on the main yards, will help you out a little bit to get started. But it’s a really, really good idea to get some money on your books at the county jail level (if you’re there – which I guess you’re not) and have it sent along. However, since this isn’t the case with you, just make sure your family gets your CDCR # right away (and I WILL help with that because you won’t be able to call out at first), and they can get some money on your books quickly, maybe before restitution kicks in.
There is a shower area in the Reception housing unit, and you can shower daily. There is no privacy – it’s got a half-solid, half-glass door on it, and the guards can look down from their second-story office and see right in, so you’ll just have to get used to that or wait – but it’s available, it’s hot water, and sometimes it’s worth the lack of privacy (depending on your sensibilities). Once you get into the regular housing units, which should be within a couple of days, each room has its’ own shower, which is also half-solid, half-glass. And it’s a lot more private, because it’s inside each room, and that means there is often a shut door between the shower door and the outside hallway…. And the hallway doors all have small windows, so it’s not easy for guards to just look in and see everything. Plus, it’s all at ground level there, so it’s just not as invasive as the reception building.
I think that should answer your most recent questions.
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I'm sorry, I just thought of another question.
What type of jobs are there going to be? What do you do all day? Do you get to go outside everyday?
If I am classified at the lowest(which I am sure I would be) what type of facility would I be in?
When do you start earning credit to have your sentence reduced?
I guess that is more than one question...
Thank you again,
Z
Hi Z! Yup, that turned into more than one question, didn’t it!?! No problem – that happens a lot with me.
Okay, there are lots of jobs because the inmates do a lot of the work around the prison. There’s landscaping and warehousing and the kitchen (of course), housekeeping, laundry, etc., etc. It’s like a little city there. You’ll be tested when you first get there for your education level and for placement in various programs. If you have a drug conviction, they’ll probably look at you for possibly going into the Substance Abuse Program for a little while. It used to be a 2-year program, but it was just cut to 60 or 90 days. There are lots of possibilities, and it kind of depends on where they need help and what your needs are. They call jobs and/or classes “programming”. You have to program to get some privileges, or have a really good reason why you’re not programming (illness, for instance). Your day will be fairly busy.
Everyone on the main yards and on A Yard are allowed out of their cells during non-programming times for recreational purposes. You can go to the day rooms and watch the TVs there, or use the phones (you’ll be able to sign up for 15-minute phone slots daily). There are two phones in each dayroom. Each dayroom is at the hub of each Unit building, and the cells are on 4 radiating arms that go outward from the hub. The hub is located facing a yard, and there are 4 yards – A, B, C, and D. A Yard has two regular Units, with the 4 arms, and there are also two other buildings – the AD Seg/SHU and the Reception building. The Reception building is a big rectangular solid building with two stories of cells, looking out into an open floor area with benches and tables, where women meet with counselors, visit with friends, etc. In the Reception building, each cell has two beds (one bunk). They’re pretty small, but you’ll only have to deal with one other woman while you are there. The doors are solid with a small window, so there is some privacy. The doors are locked, so you have to signal to the guards to get them to open the door. There is a flag somewhere in your room that you can stick through the crack in the door to wave for them to unlock your door.
Once you move over to the other Units on A Yard, you’ll be in the standard 8-person room (4 bunks). The doors to the rooms are also locked, but they have a regular unlock time, on the hour, I think. I’m not sure. But it’s regular, anyhow, so you can time things to get out and go to the dayroom, or from the dayroom out into the yard.
Again, each of the 4 Yards have their own private yard, and then they also empty out into a General Yard, which is big and in the center of the prison. It’s got a lawn, and it’s also where you pass through to get to your various programming jobs or to the library or to the chapel, or the gym. The prison has things scheduled all the time, like Domestic Violence Day, or Job Fairs, or special music, etc., so there are things to do. There’s a track that people walk or jog around.
You should be able to get outside every day. However, there are a lot of women that avoid the main yard for general exercise, because there are a lot of drugs out there, and it can be a problem sometimes. You want to stay out of that mix, so you may choose to stay close to your room for a while, where things may feel a little more under control.
There are some educational and self-help opportunities, although a lot of this has been cut because of the budget this year. However, there are a lot of long-term inmates who are working hard to keep self-help programs going, and there are a variety of these to sign up for. Also, they’ve had some stuff like Toastmasters, etc., over the years, so you’ll just have to see what’s up right now. I know that some of the women there work hard for things like the Susan B. Korman Run for a Cure, and other charitable activities. So there are some positive things going on in there.
There are LOTS of Level I people at Chowchilla. A majority of women are NOT violent, and have low classifications. My sister had a significant of MINUS points before she paroled. It’s just that we don’t have any real space at Level I institutions for all the women, so they’re stuck in Level IV campuses. It’s stupid, but women are the minority of inmates in California, and you’re just not going to see any special money being spent on their issues. A few rehab beds opened up last year, before the budget went totally down the tubes, but there are only about 600 beds statewide (FRCCC in Fresno, Live Oak, and maybe a couple of other small places). They are always jammed full, and everyone wants to go there – so you can ask, but don’t hold your breath. Are you going in for Substance Abuse? Most of the low-level beds are rehab beds. Although I do know of one girl that went in for embezzling, and got to go to Fresno. Her mom wrote one of the stories on our site – the “First Time Mom” story. The mom kept in touch with me, and told me her impressions of FRCCC, and it did truly sound awesome, compared to VSPW.
You can earn up to 6 weeks of credit a year, IF YOU PROGRAM in the eligible programs – which were CUT….. so it’s kind of a weird deal. However, I have the new programming/credit rules posted on the website, under the PAROLE section, titled, “New Parole Credit Time Rules”. It’s a PDF file, and I think it’s about 20 MB. You might want to download it and take a look.
Okay, I think that covers things for now.
By the way, did I tell you how delighted I am that you’re able to find out all these things ahead of time? I think it’s great. It’s going to make it much easier for you.
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
In your previous email you mentioned that you are put in a cell with cement etc. Do you stay there for the day or for several days? Do you sleep there too? This is all so scary to me.
Z
Hi Z: Oops – I guess that wasn’t too clear. The cement cell is just where they stick you when you get off the bus. It’s inside the Reception offices, and it’s just a holding cell where you sit and wait your turn to be processed in. They’ll call your name and you’ll go fill out papers and get your clothing and all that sort of stuff, talk to the nurse, etc., and get your room assignment. It should only take a couple of hours. It’s just boring and loud and uncomfortable and kind of weird, but basically harmless. It’s just that there’s nothing to do, and no windows (it’s an interior room, in the center of the building), but you can always people-watch. It’s got a lot going on around it, and the place is always bustling. Kind of an old-fashioned word, I know, but it’s actually fairly definitive. And you’ll feel better about it if you think of it that way.
Plus, you’ll be where you’re well-watched, so it’s not dangerous or anything, okay? One thing you should always remember is that even though the place is scary, you aren’t likely to get hurt as long as you mind your own business and don’t do stupid stuff (like drugs, tobacco or scams). Remember that it’s only for a little while, it WILL be over eventually, and you’ll be able to just forget about it someday.
N
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Dear Z: (followup on a previous email)
Well, the facility in Fresno is basically a rehab center. I believe it has about 200 beds, and one of the ladies that went there wrote to me and told me it kind of looked like an old row-type hotel that was converted into a low-level prison. They even let the women have a garden there. I think it’s probably similar to Live Oak, but it just started up last summer. About 7 or 8 years ago, there was legislation passed to try and get more residential-type centers opened up for women back in the communities, to treat low-level female offenders. It’s a great idea, obviously, but it never got done, and then the budget cuts came along. Typical! Anyhow, FRCCC was about the only one they finally managed to get opened. Like I mentioned before, someone who was in for embezzling was sent there, so it must not be for drugs only.
Points are something that go on your record when you get there – they are based on the type of crime, the sentence, any enhancements you might have, and so-on. Violent crimes get a bunch of points. Anyhow, everyone goes in with some points on their records, and over time, these drop off. You get credit for time served and programs completed and stuff like that. My sister only had something like 30 or 40 points when she went in – I think she was a Level I. Anyhow, after a couple of years, all her points were gone, and she actually ended up earning enough credit to have negative 10 or 20 points on her record when she was released. Unfortunately, since there are only three women’s prisons and they’re stuffed full, having low points doesn’t really do you any good. It’s not like you can get sent to a nice Level I prison because you don’t have any points – there’s no place for them to send you. If you were a male, then it might make a difference. My sister’s husband ended up at Sierra Conservation Center doing pest control, and he said the food was great there, and that stuff was way nicer than the Level IV prisons. But men have more choices. Sigh.
Anyhow, you probably won’t have very many points when you go in, and you’ll probably end up with none by the time you leave, but it really doesn’t do you much good. But it might help if they have some room at one of the rehabs – ask them about FRCCC or other alternatives when you get the chance. They often just go along with the women who ask, so don’t get your hopes up too high….but it probably wouldn’t hurt to mention that you’re aware of these other beds at lower-level locations.
If your mom needs a walker or an assistive walking device, she needs a note from her doctor. If she has any metal in her body that might set off the metal detector (and it’s pretty sensitive – bra underwires always set it off), then she’ll also need a doctor’s note, and then they’ll just wand her instead. You’ll be able to send out the visiting forms as soon as you get to A Yard; they have to be signed by you before you send them out. You can see a sample of what they look like on the website. Your folks will need to fill them out and send them back in to the Visiting Department at PO Box 99, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0099, and it takes about a month to get them approved. While you’re on A Yard, you can only visit through ‘glass’ on Sunday mornings between 9:30 to 12:00, but when you get out on the main yards, you can visit all day Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. You’ll be able to go out to the Visiting Room without being searched, but you’ll need to “squat and cough” on your way back in after Visiting. They make you strip and you have to squat over a mirror then cough. That’s supposed to be enough for them to see if you have anything in your cavities….. Hope that isn’t too graphic a description. You’ll have to do that when you get to Reception, too, so it’s something you should be aware of. Yeah, prison kind of sucks, doesn’t it? Try to take it all with a wry sense of humor, and you’ll be okay…..
By the way, they CAN NOT mess with visitors. If anyone thinks they ‘have cause’ to look carefully at a visitor, they have to ASK first, and we have the right to say NO and leave without being bothered. It rarely happens, and usually only to visitors of known troublemakers who actually ARE trying to sneak stuff in. The Visiting guards are pretty much okay – they get along with outside family members well, and even if they don’t always exactly try to make us all feel comfortable, most of the time they can even be pleasant and helpful. So tell your folks not to be too nervous about visiting. It’s kind of strange the first time, but after a while, you figure out that it’s just another huge bureaucracy with a whole bunch of rules, and as long as you don’t rock the boat, things go along pretty smoothly.
And if there’s ever ANY problem, visitors should ask for the Administrator of the Day to help solve problems (that would be the “AOD”). They are pretty much responsible for good public PR, so they try to solve the problem to the visitor’s satisfaction.
When are you going to be headed up there?
Nancy R.
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Good morning Z! (followup on previous email)
A ducat is kind of like a permission slip. It’s used for going to appointments, to ask to see a counselor or a notary, to go to church or to group activities, etc., etc. Chronos are written information on your personal health issues, mostly. If you have to be on a lower bunk because of a physical problem (my sister had one of those because she was an older lady and had problems with her balance) or you need to have tennis shoes on at certain jobs because of a foot problem, or if you are hearing impared and need a vest so that guards know you can’t hear the buzzers, bells, whistles, etc., then you have a chrono for that condition. You get a chrono to stay home from programming if you get sick.
You request ducats for a medical visit, and visitors purchase “photo ducats” for visiting, if they want to get a picture during visiting hours with their loved one. Photo ducats cost $2 in the Visitor Processing Center, and the visitor buys a slip of paper that he or she can turn in during visiting hours, and someone will take a digital picture for the visitor, usually a group picture posed with the inmate. The photos are processed while you wait, and the visitors can take them home. The inmate isn’t allowed to carry anything back into the prison, but your visitor can take the photos home and copy them and send them back in for you to have inside. It’s kind of cool.
When you first get to Reception, you’ll be given a “Fish Kit” which is basically the same baggie that indigent prisoners get once a month. It has a bar of soap, some toothpaste, a little toothbrush, a small pencil, 5 stamped envelopes, a small plastic comb, and a few other items. Once you get some postage stamps from home, and if you have some money on your books for canteen, you should be able to pick up extra items, like stationery. Remember, your family can send you in a stationery package right away, and I encourage them to get it ready to send out as soon as they get your room assignment and CDCR number. That will also provide you with some trade items.
When you go through intake during your first day, you’ll probably have a chance to ask about FRCCC and Live Oak, but I never went through reception myself (although I’ve toured it), so I don’t know exactly who you will see or how they’re liable to treat you, in terms of answering your questions. Just do the best you can, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone during the first few days that will know something about your chances of obtaining a bed slot at one of the lower-level facilities. You’ll be going through a few reviews with people, so I’m sure you’ll get a chance to ask at some point.
By the way, if you have questions once you are there and you want to write to me, my mailing address is:
Nancy Rubinstein
PO Box 374
Hayfork, CA 96041
I have friendships with several of the women inside, and have written to dozens of women who have been there or at one of the other prisons. I’ve visited a couple of them in Visiting, and have a couple of wonderful women that I have developed long-term friendships with. I’ve toured inside the prison a couple of times, and I’ve been on A Yard, in Receiving, in the Package area, in the Medical on-site facility, and in the warehouse and the mailroom. I haven’t been on the main yard, except to pass through it to go to A Yard, but it’s right in the middle of everything so I’ve seen it. Other members of the IFC have taken tours of the Education Department, the Library, the Silver Belles dorm (for older women) and the cafeterias, I think.
Once you get out on the main yards, you’ll probably end up eating a lot more often in your room instead of at the cafeteria. I understand that the Cafeteria food is pretty awful, and the women are wizards at cooking in their rooms. It’s very creative. You’ll be amazed at what people can come up with. Once you start getting packages, you’ll probably want to order food. It’s a nice break from the institutional food. And even though the Visiting food is now out of vending machines, you can still get cold sodas and stuff like that out there, so it’s also a nice break.
When do you think you’ll be leaving?
NLR
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I am entering my plea this Thursday. I am not sure as to how long before the plea until the sentencing hearing. My attorney said something like 30-45 days.
Am I allowed to bring the address of my family with me?
I know you mentioned to listen more than you talk, but I was wondering what do you say when someone asks you what you are in for? I just don't know what to say and what not to say.
Thank you so much!
Z
Yes, you’re right, people will probably ask you. You are going to be under a lot of stress, so you are always able to say “I don’t want to talk about it right now” and let them think what they will…. I don’t think you’ll have much of a problem with that, though. There are always plenty of braggers around, who are proud of their ‘bad selves’ and will be hogging up the highlights. Of course, if you find someone there that you are comfortable with, it’s the same as out here. You’ll click with some people, you won’t with others. There will be other people who are just like you there. Remember, even if you’re in there with ‘murderers’, we’re all just women who got in a really bad scrape somewhere. Frankly, over time, you’ll find that the ‘murderers’ are some of the better people in there, not scamming and running hustles like some of the women. ‘Murderers’ in women’s prisons are largely there because they were being beaten and used and in the wrong place at the wrong time, and aren’t the kind of people that run around and rob convenience markets with guns, like guys do.
You won’t be allowed much with you. It’s been a while, so I don’t quite remember. I think you may not be able to. Memorize one main contact address, if nothing else, and have someone send you in addresses as soon as you get there.
N
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I was looking at the stationary that you are allowed to receive.
When you are on the "A" yard, are you allowed the 110 sheets of lined paper and the 40 envelopes with the stamps? I understand the stamps need to be seperate from the envelopes.
Do they have water at the canteen that you can buy? What about any fruit?
Z
Hi Z:
It’s not so much the number of sheets of paper as much as it is that you can’t get a package that weighs more than 13 ounces. That’s because if the mail is “priority”, the prison won’t accept it. The Post Office sends it as “Priority” if it’s 13 ounces or more. Also, make sure that the envelope that you mail the stationary in is not made of cardboard or have padding or bubble wrap in it. It should just be a plain manila envelope. I use white ones, because even though both white and manila colored mailing envelopes can both go first class, the mailroom tends to sort the manila ones more slowly than the white ones. I once sent calendars in November for Christmas, and they didn’t get to the inmates until late January….. because they automatically threw the manila envelopes into the 2nd class mail pile!
So you can get the same stationary packages on A Yard that you can get on the main yards. I checked that out with the Mailroom just recently and verified it.
The only kind of envelopes allowed with stamps are the ones that have the pre-embossed stamps. You can’t put regular stamps on envelopes and send them into the prison. You can send the envelopes and stamps in the same mailer, but they can’t be already put onto the envelopes. That’s because contraband could potentially be stuck behind the stamps and stuck onto the envelopes. Obviously, someone could do that with the stamps right on their own paper roll, but whatever. And remember that the envelopes can only be plain white, without security printing or patterns or anything like that. Also, paper can’t be colored, but only white (and I think yellow legal is okay, but I don’t quite remember, so you’ll have to check on that). And pads of paper must have the cardboard backs and tops removed. No cardboard!
I know, there are a lot of picky little rules, but you’ll catch the drift of all this pretty fast.
Also, don’t mind asking questions – the more you ask, the more I think about things I need to tell people, put up on the website, etc. And I’m really glad that you’re getting prepared for this. It’ll make it so much easier for you.
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Nancy,
How does the phone system work? My daughter only has a cell phone and I saw somewhere that she could set up an account that allows collect calls.
Are you able to just make collect calls to a normal landline phone?
Also, in order to send money to me, who would they make the money order out to?
Z
Dear Z:
There are a couple of different ways to have money put on your books. If people want to send you money orders, then they should make it out to you, with your CDCR number and housing location filled out on it. They should also fill out the place where their information (as the senders) goes. The prison doesn’t allow anonymous money to be put on your books. That’s not usually a problem. Money orders should be sent in regular envelopes to the inmate, but should be sent to PO Box 94 instead of the regular correspondence PO Box (that would be 92). CCWF has different PO Box numbers – I’m just providing you with the VSPW ones here, because I’ve got them memorized. If someone sends you a money order, it is handled quicker if it goes to PO Box 94, because that’s the one that is specific for money orders. Otherwise, they sit with regular mail and it takes longer.
People can also use the internet to go on one of the commercial trust fund sites, and send money in via credit or debit card. JPay is a pretty good one. It costs a couple of bucks, but it should get the money on the inmate books a lot faster than going through the mail. I’ve used JPay and CyberSsuite before, and they both do exactly what they say they’re going to do – get money on the inmate’s books.
I’m attaching a couple of memos that came out from the phone carrier and the CDCR around Christmas that have to do with the new allowable cell phone protocols. Maybe these will give you some ideas of what you can do about phones. I avoid the whole phone scene, because it’s really expensive and not particularly satisfying. I’m not sure what you’ll need to have, but if your parents have a land line, that means you’ll be able to call them collect for a while (3 or 4 times) before GTL will require them to set up a prepaid account. If they have a phone company that will allow GTL to add-on to their regular bill, they may not even have to do that, if you don’t call too much. Your daughter may have to have a land line to use for a forward to a cell phone, but this may have changed. Anyhow, check out the fliers, and maybe that’ll give you the info you need.
Some phone info is also available through our main page on the website, under the "PHONES" section. I need to get these new fliers posted, so people can have the new cell phone info.
You won’t be able to call out for the first few weeks – phone privileges have to be earned by doing free jobs for the guards. A lot of people decide they don’t want to do this, and also these jobs tend to go to the pretty girls. It may or may not be worth it.
You will be able to use the phone regularly once you are on the main yards. Remember, the cost adds up really fast and have mercy on your parents!
N
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From: Z
Nancy,
There is a good book that I am reading called "Orange is the New Black". It is about a young woman that served 15 mos in federal prison. It is something you might want to put on the web.
Z
Dear Z:
You may have a little time before having to go up to Chowchilla (hopefully, you won’t have to go at all…I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you). Anyhow, while you’re waiting, you may want to start looking at the prison information that comes through one of the e-lists. I moderate a pretty simple one that is mostly news articles about California issues with prisons, with a special interest in the women’s issues we’ve got. I just went there and sent you an invite that you can use to go to the link, if you’d like. It’s for http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CA-IFC/ .
Nancy R.
**********************
From: Z
Nancy,
I was talking with my family last night, and they wanted me to ask you when thought it would be apprioate to ask about the facility in Bakersfield.
I don't want to set off on the wrong foot, and give them the wrong impression about me.
Also, I know this is going to sound sooooo naive, but where exactly and how do the women obtain drugs in that facility?
Z
Hi Z:
I’m going to put you in touch with the gal who wrote the “first time mom” story, who had a daughter go to FRCCC. Maybe she can give you some leads and ideas. Her name is Gayle Ward, and I gave her your email address just now. As far as rubbing someone the wrong way – don’t worry. As soon as women find out about these lower-level facilities, they ALL ask to go there. Maybe if you work on it ahead of time, you’ll have a better chance. Who knows? Anyhow, maybe Gayle can give you some leads on that.
I’m not sure if there’s something in Bakersfield. FRCCC stands for Female Rehabilitative Community Correctional Center, and that may be where it is located.
Women obtain drugs through the mail (things get snuck through all the time), but they also come in with guards, and sometimes through yard crews and through warehouse crews. There are inmates that work outside the prison, and can find items and smuggle them in from having people leave things outside for them to find in certain places. Some things do come through visiting. Sometimes it comes through boxes, etc. There are a million ways to get around the rules. And the employees there can be just as corrupt as any other person, especially when big money is involved. And contraband brings in big money. I understand that since tobacco was banned, it’s gotten to be a huge business inside. Expensive, and very, very profitable.
N
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(For an excellent presentation regarding the FRCCC, go to this U-Tube video, provided by the CDCR.... FRCCC Video .)
************************
From: Z
I looked up the FRCCC on google and it mentioned that is was in Bakersfield on Jessie Street. They said it was called Casa Aurora.
Maybe I got the wrong link.
Thank you for sending me the information.
Z
You are absolutely right! I checked my addresses, and it was in Bakersfield!!! Good for you. They have changed the name on it, and that’s good to know. Yes, you’ve got the right place!!
I hope that Gayle gets back to you soon.
N
*******************
From: Z
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for putting me in touch with Gayle. She has also given me a lot of information. I am so happy for them that they are coming to the final leg of their journey. I am looking forward to that date as well (seems like a long way from here).
I had another question... As far as a bra and shoes.. Are you allowed to keep the shoes you wear (sneakers) they day they take you into custody and what about a bra?
Should I cut my hair short and dye it brown? I have very blond hair, and my family is worried that I am going to "stick out". I don't know what to do about that. Are you allowed to have a bra? I can't imagine not having one.
I hope one day that I can be of help to someone like myself the way you have helped me. Do you take volunteers after they have done their time?
Z
Dear Z:
I doubt that trying to ‘disguise’ yourself by changing your hair would make you more comfortable. There are plenty of blond women there. They actually get some of the better assignments. Gayle’s daughter is a blonde, by the way! Anyhow, a lot of women in there use various substances to try and blond up their hair while they’re inside. No reason to give up a positive attribute! Do what makes you comfortable, but try to be yourself as much as possible. One thing you’ll find out is that there are a lot of women who will know if you’re bluffing about things, and they might give you a hard time. Unless you regularly dye your hair, I wouldn’t recommend it. Be yourself!
I’ll give my sister your address too, and see if she’s got any time to drop you an email. She’s working 6 to 7 days a week right now, so she’s pretty busy, but I’ll see what I can do. She was there from 2002 to 2006, was an older lady, petite, white, and had to go straight in without any bail or out-time, so it was a complete mystery to her when she went in. But she did fine. You will probably be bunking with some young women of color when you are on A Yard (when you get to the 8-bed rooms), so you will be dealing with bragging, noisy children. They can be annoying but if you act like the ‘mom’, you’ll get some respect. You’re too old for games, and you just want to serve your time. Remember that! You’ll be fine.
It used to be that the women all had to keep their hair above their collars, so people with long hair had to put it up in a bun or braids or a ponytail, so that tends to make it look short, anyhow. I’m not sure if they’ll let you wear it down now or not, but a lot of people probably put it up anyhow. So that’s a way that you could mitigate your concern about having longer hair. Just put it up. They have hairdressing that is available there occasionally, and there are inmates that are allowed to provide haircuts and some minor styling, so you won’t be completely separated from all style in there. In fact, style is a huge issue, along with makeup, etc. Women remain women, even in prison.
Yes, yes, yes! If you really want to help out, would you consider keeping a journal that we could publish? You obviously are articulate and can write clearly. I know that a journal isn’t the first thing on the mind of new inmates, and that’s exactly why it would be SOOOOO valuable to us out here – to provide something that would help people going into this understand some of what happens. I’m serious. Would you be interested in journaling your journey for us? It would be INVALUABLE to so many people in the future. Don’t feel like you need to commit to this, but please consider it. Think of yourself as a journalist. Maybe that way, it might be easier…..well, maybe…..
Oh, you will not be able to keep any of your clothing. You will be issued state bras (which will be washed by the laundry people and then redistributed at random) and you will be wearing prison slippers for a while. As soon as you get tested and all that, they’ll issue you shoes that are appropriate for whatever your programming assignment is. If you work outside, you’ll get boots, and a pair of tennis shoes to use during leisure time. If you work inside, you’ll just get tennis shoes. These are not always in the best of shape, so one of your first boxes will probably include personal bras, panties and a pair of tennis shoes, and perhaps some socks. Be sure to leave your family with your measurements. That way they can order your first box more quickly and easily.
Yup, the first few weeks are very uncomfortable. It’s sort of like boot camp. Only scarier sometimes and more boring most of the time.
You won’t have any paper at first, but if you would like me to send you some, please let me know ahead of time, and I’ll get you off a package as soon as we get your CDCR number.
Yours, Nancy R.
***********************
From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I am touched that you asked me to do that. I would very much like to. I have already bought the paper, envelopes and stamps for my daughter to send to me right away.
Would you want me to start while I am in the reception area? Is that considered "A" yard. I am a person that likes to be busy and have a purpose. Are they going to give me a hard time if I am doing that? Where would I send the information to?
If your sister has time, that would be great. If not, I understand. Are you close to each other? I am very close with my sister's and with my daughter. I suppose that is the hardest part about all of this. I have let them down. That is why it is so important for me to have all of this information available to them.
Let me know what you would like me to do and I will.
Thank you again,
Z
Dear Z:
How great is this? You are The Bomb!!!! Thank you so much for being interested in following this up. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, and I really appreciate your willingness to help out others. Maybe having a project that will help others in all of this may just be a real help to you, too. In any case, I really want you to know that any information you can share will be an incredible thing for so many others in the future. Thank you, over and over.
Please be sure to tell L if she has any questions, we are happy to help find answers for her. I’ll drop her a line and let her know, as well.
If you want to start NOW, that would be incredible. I realize that a lot of information would have to be you processing events, and I totally respect that. However, what you are going through is not unique, and your insights would be invaluable. Also, if you are good at writing, it might help you out, too. It is a record, it is a warning, and it is a direction for others. Please consider it.
Anything you write is considered confidential by me unless you give me written permission to share it.
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
***************************
From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I will start tomorrow. that should be a good starting point.
I feel that there is a reason that this has happened, I just don't know what it is yet. My mother read some of your emails today and cried. She thinks its wonderful that I have found someone to talk to about all of this. It does bring a tear to my eye, as I don't even know you. You have shown kindness to me that I never expected.
I will email you tomorrow.
Many thanks,
Z
*****************
Dear L:
I have been corresponding with your friend, Z, for the last couple of weeks about her impending incarceration at the state level. I’m a prison advocate at the women’s prisons in California, and my emphasis has been on Valley State Prison for Women. I also deal with Central California Women’s Prison and the California Institute for Women in Corona. I work on the Inmate Family Council as the webmaster for their website at www.VSPW-IFC.com , and also moderate an elist at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CA-IFC/ . I participate in a number of other advocacy forums that focus on womens’ issues in prison, and have extensive contacts in the prison advocacy community.
It has been a delight to correspond with Z, as she is proactive and quite articulate about her concerns regarding upcoming events in her life. That is such a good thing, and I’m happy to help her out with information and contact information.
Please consider me a contact if you should have any questions about prison protocols that might impact Z, and you as her friend.
I’m always available via email, and can be reached at 530-628-1096. I live in Northern California, outside of Redding, California.
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rubinstein
VSPW Inmate Family Council volunteer
**************************
From: L
Nancy,
Thank you so much for the email. The funny thing is, I was thinking about emailing you today, to thank you for being such a powerful resource for my friend Z these past few weeks. I think the correspondence the two of you have shared has helped decrease her anxiety to a manageable level, if that is even possible!
As you can imagine (or possibly experienced first hand) what she is about to embark upon is extremely scary and sad. For me personally I think I have gone through every emotion humanly possible in the last few days. While I have known that her incarceration was inevitable, my anxiety for her has heightened as the plea will be entered tomorrow and sentencing shortly afterward.
My concern is of course for her well being, both mentally and physically. As a nurse I understand the toll mental stress can take on ones physical health, and vice verse.
I feel like I have so many questions, but don't know where to begin. If you don't mind I have a few questions.
1. How do I know where she will go after she is sentenced, how do I know that she is safe.
2. When I talk to her and see her
3. What is the protocol on informing family members or friends outside if an inmate becomes sick or injured (I spent some of my nursing rotations in a prison and know the health care is mediocre at best)
4. Is it true most non violent inmates will only serve about a quarter of their sentence?
Thank you so much for your time, your reaching out means a lot to me and I appreciate all of your advice
Thank you again,
L
Dear L:
Thank you so much for your note. Z will be safe physically. There are safeguards in place. The prison system is designed to protect its’ wards, and there are many ways that this is accomplished. The Internal Security Unit (the ISU) is a group of prison officers that constantly monitor the safety and security of the prison AND of the inmates that live there. In an extreme emergency, you may contact them. They are a dedicated unit and are run by a wonderful man named Lt. McGraw who was originally in the armed forces. He’s a very serious man, and takes his duties seriously. This is probably more information than you need, but I just want to assure you that your mother may have emotional stress, but will not be injured physically while she is there. If she is threatened, she may ask the ISU to protect her interests. That is their job.
When you use the term “embark” you are speaking an absolute truth. The whole prison experience is a journey, and it can feel like being abandoned at sea as a shanghaied victim. Z is doing some really valuable work in advance, and I’m delighted that she has the opportunity and the will to do what she is doing. She is obviously a very intelligent and proactive woman, and she is destined to do well in this environment and to come out of it on a positive note. Hang in there. It will be over sooner than anyone can reasonably expect.
When she leaves to go to Reception, we can find her within approximately 24 hours. She will be given a CDCR number and a room assignment within the first 12 hours after reaching the prison. It can only be one of three places, and will likely be VSPW (although it could possibly be CCWF or CIW). In any case, that is not hard to find out, and I will be happy to help you find her immediately. After that, you can immediately send her stationery, letters, stamps, books, periodicals and photos. Even though she will not be allowed to use the phone right away, you can be in contact with her within a week to 10 days. I recommend that you send her some postcards immediately, as they get in rapidly and are colorful and a positive reinforcement.
She will need to send you out a Visiting Application immediately, signed. You fill that out and send it back immediately to PO Box 99, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0099, and they take + or – 30 days to approve it. Once it is approved, you may visit her in Chowchilla on Sundays while she is on A Yard. The A Yard visiting hours are Sunday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Once she is shifted over to a mainline bed (B, C, or D Yards), she can receive visits Saturday and Sunday (both days, if you stay overnight), from 8:30 Am to 3:00 PM. Visits are the lifeblood of inmates, and are so precious I can’t even begin to express it. If you can see her early on, it will be a real lifeline for her.
When Z is processed in Reception, they will inform her that she can fill out a “Release of Information” form, naming a friend or family member. She should name you as her release of information person. If you look on our website, you will see some information about this under the “Medical” information box. It means that you are able to call the Medical Department and discuss any problems that you become aware of. I highly recommend that she names you on this document.
The current status of early release is that most non-violent inmates are getting 50% time, with no parole to speak of. That means if your mom gets a 40 month sentence, she’s likely to serve a little over 1½ years. If she can get time in one of the lower-level facilities like Live Oak outside of Sacramento or FRCCC in Bakersfield, I hear that Visiting is much more congenial. Keep your fingers crossed.
I don’t have all the answers, but if you have questions that I can’t give answers to, I’ll try to put you in touch with others that may know.
Z is awesome. I’ve really enjoyed corresponding with her, and am hoping that she does okay and gets through all this with the least amount of stress possible. I get the feeling, though, that she will do fine.
Meanwhile, be sure to let me know your questions, and as soon as she is sent out let me know and I will help you get her location information.
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rubinstein
VSPW IFC volunteer
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for the letter to my friend, L. She is having a hard time processing all of this. She has always worried about me since we were young. We have an incredible relationship that I cherish.
I was wondering if the mailing address for regular mail (letters and postcards) are the same for both VSPW and CCWF. I can't quite find that information. I am trying to put a little information together for my parents. They are not computer savvy and I want them to be able to send me mail on a regular basis.
Do the visitor forms get sent to one address for both facilities as well?
L wanted to know if she can send in regular "postcards" that you would buy at the drugstore? I told her I would ask you that question.
Thank you again,
Z
Thanks Z,
Yes! Let’s keep in touch – I’ll send you a note via snail mail after I get your contact info when you go. Your friend L sounds like a wonderful person!
Yes… You have something going for you, and I applaud your efforts to confront these issues!! Keep your head up. It’s a hard thing, but you are going to do fine. Hang in there.
Nancy R.
******************
From: Z
Hi Nancy,
Do you know if women from Ventura County are always sent to CCWF? I was wondering if that is always set in stone?
Thank you,
Z
PS What are the steps one would take if you don't hear about a visitor's approval status? Who do you ask?
Have you ever been the the Leo Chesney Facility? If so, what is that like?
Dear Z:
Yes, I have heard of the Leo Chesney Facility (also known as Live Oak, up north of Sacramento), but I don’t know anyone who has gone there, nor have I been there. Sorry!
Once someone sends in a Visiting approval form, it takes about 30 days for the Visiting Department to process the form. When they make their decision, they will tell the inmate. They will not tell the applicant. This is one of the few things that the inmate has some control over. There are women who go into prison and they might have an ex-boyfriend that wants to visit. But maybe the woman doesn’t want to see that ex-boyfriend. So she doesn’t have to tell him that he’s been approved if she doesn’t want to, and there’s nothing the ex-boyfriend can do about it. The Visiting Department will *NOT* tell an applicant if he or she has been approved. This is something that the applicant has to find out from the inmate.
However, if there is some reason why the applicant would be denied, the Visiting Department HAS to tell the applicant that he or she has been denied, and the reasons for that denial. Then the applicant can make the needed corrections on the application or take care of whatever the problem might be.
So if someone is approved, they are not going to hear it from the prison staff. They’ll have to find out from their inmate.
BUT….if you think, for some reason, that the application may have been misplaced, it is okay to call the Visiting Department and find out if they received it okay. You’d just have to call them during business hours.
Does that make sense?
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
PS
CCWF is across the street from VSPW, and they have their own mailing address. It’s PO Box 1508 for inmate mail, and PO Box 1501 for the administration.
Each prison handles its’ own visiting approvals. So if you send one from VSPW, it should be returned to VSPW Visiting Department at PO Box 99, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0099. If you end up at CCWF, the visiting form should be returned to CCWF Visiting Department at PO Box 1501, Chowchilla, CA 93610-1501.
Regular postcards are perfect. They’re cheap and colorful, and I’ve developed a hobby of collecting them when I travel, so I can use them to send in to inmates when I need to get them information quickly. They don’t have to be opened and checked for contraband, so they go in much faster than regular mail. And a little splash of color inside is always a welcome thing.
Again, as soon as you get shipped up to Chowchilla, I should be able to find your CDCR number and housing location within 24 hours, whether you are at VSPW or CCWF. Then I suppose I should email that information to your daughter and she can share it with your folks, yes?
Sorry I didn’t answer this sooner – the weather FINALLY got warm enough to work outside today.
PSS I think most of the new arrival processing goes on at either VSPW or CCWF, but I’m guessing that they must do occasional intakes at CIW also.
N
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From: Z
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:27 PM
To: lonemt@hughes.net
Subject: CHOWCHILLA
IS THE RECEPTION HANDBOOK THE SAME FOR CHOWCHIILA WOMENS AS IT IS FOR VSPW?
WHAT ARE THE MAILING ADDRESSES FOR CHOWCHILLA? IS THERE AN IFC AT CHOWCHILLA?
THANK YOU,
Z
Dear Z:
There are two women’s prisons in Chowchilla. One is VSPW, and the other one (right across the street from VSPW) is CCWF. Between the two of them, they house around 8,000 women. The only other state women’s prison in California is down in Corona (CIW). The Reception Handbook is the VSPW handbook. I’m not certain if CCWF has the same handbook information, but I could check with someone across the street, if you need that information instead.
The mailing address for inmate mail going to VSPW is PO Box 92, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0092.
The mailing address for inmate mail going to CCWF is PO Box 1508, Chowchilla, CA 93610-1508.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask any time. I’ll try to answer them!
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rubinstein
VSPW Inmate Family Council volunteer
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From: Z
I understand that women from Ventura County are usually taken to the CCWF. Is there any information regarding the "reception process" at that facility?
What are the differences from the two facilites and does the IFC have a trailor at CCWF?
Thank you,
Z
Dear Z:
The Reception buildings are exactly the same at both CCWF and VSPW, and I imagine that the reception process is similar at both places. Essentially, the women get there, get logged in, get their housing assignments on A Yard and get the same testing, etc. The main difference between VSPW and CCWF is that there is an area on CCWF where they house the death row women. There are outside trailers at each facility for the “Friends Outside” group. The Inmate Family Council is strictly a volunteer group that meets with the wardens and administrators every other month, to share the concerns of families with the administration, and get information to share with families about what is happening at the prisons. Friends Outside actually provides several services right there on-site, and are available for parole services and stuff like that. You might want to check out their website some time. At VSPW, they have a trailer where children can stay while their parents are visiting.
I take it you are new to all of this, and have a loved one who is going to be sent to Chowchilla (or may already be there?).
Apparently you’ve been to the www.vspw-ifc.com website. You should look in the “STORIES” section. There are a couple about what to expect in Receiving. That might be some help.
Sincerely,
Nrubinstein
VSPW IFC
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From: Z
Thank you so much for all of the information.
Actually, I am most likely going to be sent there. I am trying to grasp as much information as I can, so that I can be prepared. I have never been in any trouble and am very unfamiliar to this process. I am trying to make it as easy for my family as I can.
I would love to be able to volunteer with your organization when I can put all of this behind.
Do you know if they have a Battered Women's Therapy group at the CCWF facility?
Sincerely,
Z
Dear Z:
It’s so wise to get as much information as possible ahead of time. It makes the whole situation a lot less frightening. Another site with valuable information is the Prison Fellowship group – they used to have an excellent booklet (available online) that gave advice for new inmates; basically, listen more than you talk, don’t gamble, don’t borrow and don’t lend. That’s the distilled version.
When you first get there, you’ll be stuck in a cement-floored room with cement bench around the wall, with a toilet, with all the women that come in with you. You may be there for quite a while, depending on how large the group is and how far behind they are in Receiving. It’s going to be very, very noisy. In fact, all of A Yard tends to be very noisy – the guards are louder there, and yell more than on the general yards, and they LOVE to blare the loudspeaker all hours. They say one of the really hard parts is to know what the ‘rules’ are, because no one really tells you the details and you just have to learn by experience. Things like which line to stand behind, what time things happen, stuff like that. Just keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll catch the details pretty fast.
People will be looking to take advantage of anyone who appears vulnerable, so that’s part of the reason you should keep your own council as much as possible at first.
Oh, and you won’t be allowed to use the phone for a while. I’m guessing that you have loved ones who will be keeping in touch with you? Tell them to get in touch with me and I’ll help them get your room assignment number and CDCR number within 24 hours of your arrival (I need your full name and a birthdate, and I know some tricks to get your info pretty fast). Then they should immediately send you a letter with up to 40 postage stamps enclosed immediately. You will be able to use postage stamps to trade for items you need, like a pencil or extra paper. Postage stamps are a trade item, and can be really handy. Also, you’ll be able to “shop” at the canteen within 30 days of getting there, so as soon as you know your CDCR number and room assignment, if anyone can send you some money for your books, you should get them to do that as soon as possible. I think that there’s still a little lag time between the start of your time and when they start taking out the 55% restitution. (But I’m not sure of that. Do you have restitution?) Anyhow, early money may slip under that particular radar….. After everything is set up, and you want to be able to get hygiene products, extra food, etc., then you should encourage your family to send you in a Quarterly Package rather than buying your items strictly from the canteen. That way, they can send in items that haven’t been reduced due to the restitution charges at the prison. The prison doesn’t charge any restitution fees on goods from a vendor.
You’ll have to purchase your own soap and shampoo and detergent unless you’re indigent. Indigent basically means having less than $1 on your books for 30 days. Which is pretty difficult and not a fun place to be financially. I’m guessing that you’ll have some sort of money of your own, so you won’t qualify for the small amount of indigent help that the prison has to provide for the poorest of the poorest.
Oh, you should also look on our website page regarding stationery that can be sent in. Ask someone to send you in writing materials as soon as possible. These can also be used as trade goods, of course. And you are allowed up to 5 paperback books while you’re in Reception, and up to 10 once you get to the mainline yards. And there is no limit on magazines, newspapers, etc., but they can take a while to get delivered, especially at first when you’ll probably do a lot of moving around.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you can think of, and I’ll try to get you the information you need.
Sincerely,
Nancy Rubinstein
VSPW IFC
P.S.
I forgot to answer your question about Battered Women’s groups. Right now, everything official has sort of ground to a halt, due to the budget problems…… However, there are some inmates who have put together some help groups, and you may be able to participate after you’ve been there for a while. There are many, many DV survivors in there, and it is something that is really important for the women, and the administrators recognize this.
NLR
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From: Z
Dear Nancy,
In the last email, you mention books. What books are you referring to? I have no idea how I am going to survive this. I am not a street smart woman to say the least.
I will have my sister contact you. Is email the best way of communicating?
Thank you so much for taking time to answer back so quickly.
Z
Dear Z:
Reading books. Family and friends can send you in books to read, but the books must be paperback, and they must be ordered from a book distributor and sent directly in from the vendor – for instance from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com. Please let them know that the books are supposed to be NEW. Some of the men’s prisons allow used book vendors, but the VSPW R&R people have not allowed used books at VSPW.
Email is the best way to keep in touch with me – I’ll be traveling tomorrow through Sunday, but I’ll take my laptop with me and should be able to get online here and there. If you don’t get an answer right away, it’s only because I haven’t been able to check my email….but I WILL get back to you with info at some point.
You’re going to do okay. It’s not fun, for sure, but you will survive. Women aren’t dangerous like the men can be, so you will come through without getting hurt or messed with. The guards and administrators can be very obnoxious and demeaning, but there ARE some good ones there, and there are rules in place that you can use to effectively complain about things, or to ask for help. You will quickly learn about things like the “602” form, which is what you use to complain about ANYTHING that’s bothering you, for instance. My sister used the ‘602’ process to complain when a bunch of women got their pillows taken away, and the outcome was that everyone got a new pillow…… There are groups inside that are established to help women. Some of them aren’t tremendously effective, but sometimes they help with problems. There’s the Women’s Advisory Committee (the WAC), a group that is elected by inmates and represents the inmate concerns to the administration, for instance. There is the IFC, which consists of families outside, and who can sometimes know who to call and how to get some small things done. So knowing about these things gives you more power. Make sure to keep in touch with your family and if you have problems, let them know. They can try to get answers for you, and sometimes problems are solved just because the prison administration knows that you have a pair of eyes watching out for you. That’s always a good thing when it comes to medical issues. There will be a “Medical Release of Information” form that should be offered to you during intake, and you should sign it and designate a family member to be able to discuss your medical needs with the Medical department. That way, if a problem comes up, they have the right to talk to the medical staff on your behalf.
You will undoubtedly learn a lot in the process you’ll be going through, but the most important thing is to be absolutely sure that you never, ever go back there again. Keep that in mind, and you will be okay. Too many women end up trapped in vicious circles that return them to prison over and over again….and you’ll see a lot of those women on A Yard.
Again, when you get bussed up to Chowchilla, tell your family to contact me and I’ll help them find you as fast as possible so they can start sending you mail.
Did you get a look at the list of stationery that they can send in, and did you have any questions about that? Here’s the page link… MailNew2009.html
Sincerely, Nancy R.
PS:
I didn’t finish answering your questions in that last email, so here’s a follow-up:
I’m not sure how they do reception at CIW, so I’m not sure that you wouldn’t have to first be processed up in Chowchilla, and then sent back down to CIW. It’s tricky getting into CIW, because it’s the one EVERYONE wants to be in (mainly because it’s closer to the majority of women’s families), and it’s extremely overcrowded. About the only way that you could request that prison is by having documentation about how a visiting family member is unable to travel all the way to Chowchilla because of a serious medical condition, and could only visit you at CIW. However, these types of transfers haven’t been happening lately, and I don’t know if it would carry much weight, especially if you’re going to be there for only a short period of time (less than 5 years).
You can receive any type of periodical on A Yard – magazines, puzzlebooks, newspapers. You can’t get a Quarterly Package on A Yard, but you should only be there for about 30 days, so once you’re “over the wall”, you can get one…..you should be able to do that within the first quarter that you are there, hopefully. Meanwhile, money that transfers with you shouldn’t be subject to restitution fees, so you can plan on shopping canteen within 30 days of getting there, anyhow.
There are laundry facilities in each of the general housing units, but I’m not sure about A Yard (not Ad Seg or SHU, but that shouldn’t be a concern to you). However, you’ll be wearing state-issued items for a while, and those are picked up regularly and washed by porters, then redistributed. You’re supposed to get soap right away; they’ll give you a small baggie of personal hygiene items when you first get there. It includes a bar of soap, a small toothbrush, a little pencil and some envelopes, I think. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing. Sometimes, people who have been there a while, especially once you get on the main yards, will help you out a little bit to get started. But it’s a really, really good idea to get some money on your books at the county jail level (if you’re there – which I guess you’re not) and have it sent along. However, since this isn’t the case with you, just make sure your family gets your CDCR # right away (and I WILL help with that because you won’t be able to call out at first), and they can get some money on your books quickly, maybe before restitution kicks in.
There is a shower area in the Reception housing unit, and you can shower daily. There is no privacy – it’s got a half-solid, half-glass door on it, and the guards can look down from their second-story office and see right in, so you’ll just have to get used to that or wait – but it’s available, it’s hot water, and sometimes it’s worth the lack of privacy (depending on your sensibilities). Once you get into the regular housing units, which should be within a couple of days, each room has its’ own shower, which is also half-solid, half-glass. And it’s a lot more private, because it’s inside each room, and that means there is often a shut door between the shower door and the outside hallway…. And the hallway doors all have small windows, so it’s not easy for guards to just look in and see everything. Plus, it’s all at ground level there, so it’s just not as invasive as the reception building.
I think that should answer your most recent questions.
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I'm sorry, I just thought of another question.
What type of jobs are there going to be? What do you do all day? Do you get to go outside everyday?
If I am classified at the lowest(which I am sure I would be) what type of facility would I be in?
When do you start earning credit to have your sentence reduced?
I guess that is more than one question...
Thank you again,
Z
Hi Z! Yup, that turned into more than one question, didn’t it!?! No problem – that happens a lot with me.
Okay, there are lots of jobs because the inmates do a lot of the work around the prison. There’s landscaping and warehousing and the kitchen (of course), housekeeping, laundry, etc., etc. It’s like a little city there. You’ll be tested when you first get there for your education level and for placement in various programs. If you have a drug conviction, they’ll probably look at you for possibly going into the Substance Abuse Program for a little while. It used to be a 2-year program, but it was just cut to 60 or 90 days. There are lots of possibilities, and it kind of depends on where they need help and what your needs are. They call jobs and/or classes “programming”. You have to program to get some privileges, or have a really good reason why you’re not programming (illness, for instance). Your day will be fairly busy.
Everyone on the main yards and on A Yard are allowed out of their cells during non-programming times for recreational purposes. You can go to the day rooms and watch the TVs there, or use the phones (you’ll be able to sign up for 15-minute phone slots daily). There are two phones in each dayroom. Each dayroom is at the hub of each Unit building, and the cells are on 4 radiating arms that go outward from the hub. The hub is located facing a yard, and there are 4 yards – A, B, C, and D. A Yard has two regular Units, with the 4 arms, and there are also two other buildings – the AD Seg/SHU and the Reception building. The Reception building is a big rectangular solid building with two stories of cells, looking out into an open floor area with benches and tables, where women meet with counselors, visit with friends, etc. In the Reception building, each cell has two beds (one bunk). They’re pretty small, but you’ll only have to deal with one other woman while you are there. The doors are solid with a small window, so there is some privacy. The doors are locked, so you have to signal to the guards to get them to open the door. There is a flag somewhere in your room that you can stick through the crack in the door to wave for them to unlock your door.
Once you move over to the other Units on A Yard, you’ll be in the standard 8-person room (4 bunks). The doors to the rooms are also locked, but they have a regular unlock time, on the hour, I think. I’m not sure. But it’s regular, anyhow, so you can time things to get out and go to the dayroom, or from the dayroom out into the yard.
Again, each of the 4 Yards have their own private yard, and then they also empty out into a General Yard, which is big and in the center of the prison. It’s got a lawn, and it’s also where you pass through to get to your various programming jobs or to the library or to the chapel, or the gym. The prison has things scheduled all the time, like Domestic Violence Day, or Job Fairs, or special music, etc., so there are things to do. There’s a track that people walk or jog around.
You should be able to get outside every day. However, there are a lot of women that avoid the main yard for general exercise, because there are a lot of drugs out there, and it can be a problem sometimes. You want to stay out of that mix, so you may choose to stay close to your room for a while, where things may feel a little more under control.
There are some educational and self-help opportunities, although a lot of this has been cut because of the budget this year. However, there are a lot of long-term inmates who are working hard to keep self-help programs going, and there are a variety of these to sign up for. Also, they’ve had some stuff like Toastmasters, etc., over the years, so you’ll just have to see what’s up right now. I know that some of the women there work hard for things like the Susan B. Korman Run for a Cure, and other charitable activities. So there are some positive things going on in there.
There are LOTS of Level I people at Chowchilla. A majority of women are NOT violent, and have low classifications. My sister had a significant of MINUS points before she paroled. It’s just that we don’t have any real space at Level I institutions for all the women, so they’re stuck in Level IV campuses. It’s stupid, but women are the minority of inmates in California, and you’re just not going to see any special money being spent on their issues. A few rehab beds opened up last year, before the budget went totally down the tubes, but there are only about 600 beds statewide (FRCCC in Fresno, Live Oak, and maybe a couple of other small places). They are always jammed full, and everyone wants to go there – so you can ask, but don’t hold your breath. Are you going in for Substance Abuse? Most of the low-level beds are rehab beds. Although I do know of one girl that went in for embezzling, and got to go to Fresno. Her mom wrote one of the stories on our site – the “First Time Mom” story. The mom kept in touch with me, and told me her impressions of FRCCC, and it did truly sound awesome, compared to VSPW.
You can earn up to 6 weeks of credit a year, IF YOU PROGRAM in the eligible programs – which were CUT….. so it’s kind of a weird deal. However, I have the new programming/credit rules posted on the website, under the PAROLE section, titled, “New Parole Credit Time Rules”. It’s a PDF file, and I think it’s about 20 MB. You might want to download it and take a look.
Okay, I think that covers things for now.
By the way, did I tell you how delighted I am that you’re able to find out all these things ahead of time? I think it’s great. It’s going to make it much easier for you.
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
In your previous email you mentioned that you are put in a cell with cement etc. Do you stay there for the day or for several days? Do you sleep there too? This is all so scary to me.
Z
Hi Z: Oops – I guess that wasn’t too clear. The cement cell is just where they stick you when you get off the bus. It’s inside the Reception offices, and it’s just a holding cell where you sit and wait your turn to be processed in. They’ll call your name and you’ll go fill out papers and get your clothing and all that sort of stuff, talk to the nurse, etc., and get your room assignment. It should only take a couple of hours. It’s just boring and loud and uncomfortable and kind of weird, but basically harmless. It’s just that there’s nothing to do, and no windows (it’s an interior room, in the center of the building), but you can always people-watch. It’s got a lot going on around it, and the place is always bustling. Kind of an old-fashioned word, I know, but it’s actually fairly definitive. And you’ll feel better about it if you think of it that way.
Plus, you’ll be where you’re well-watched, so it’s not dangerous or anything, okay? One thing you should always remember is that even though the place is scary, you aren’t likely to get hurt as long as you mind your own business and don’t do stupid stuff (like drugs, tobacco or scams). Remember that it’s only for a little while, it WILL be over eventually, and you’ll be able to just forget about it someday.
N
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Dear Z: (followup on a previous email)
Well, the facility in Fresno is basically a rehab center. I believe it has about 200 beds, and one of the ladies that went there wrote to me and told me it kind of looked like an old row-type hotel that was converted into a low-level prison. They even let the women have a garden there. I think it’s probably similar to Live Oak, but it just started up last summer. About 7 or 8 years ago, there was legislation passed to try and get more residential-type centers opened up for women back in the communities, to treat low-level female offenders. It’s a great idea, obviously, but it never got done, and then the budget cuts came along. Typical! Anyhow, FRCCC was about the only one they finally managed to get opened. Like I mentioned before, someone who was in for embezzling was sent there, so it must not be for drugs only.
Points are something that go on your record when you get there – they are based on the type of crime, the sentence, any enhancements you might have, and so-on. Violent crimes get a bunch of points. Anyhow, everyone goes in with some points on their records, and over time, these drop off. You get credit for time served and programs completed and stuff like that. My sister only had something like 30 or 40 points when she went in – I think she was a Level I. Anyhow, after a couple of years, all her points were gone, and she actually ended up earning enough credit to have negative 10 or 20 points on her record when she was released. Unfortunately, since there are only three women’s prisons and they’re stuffed full, having low points doesn’t really do you any good. It’s not like you can get sent to a nice Level I prison because you don’t have any points – there’s no place for them to send you. If you were a male, then it might make a difference. My sister’s husband ended up at Sierra Conservation Center doing pest control, and he said the food was great there, and that stuff was way nicer than the Level IV prisons. But men have more choices. Sigh.
Anyhow, you probably won’t have very many points when you go in, and you’ll probably end up with none by the time you leave, but it really doesn’t do you much good. But it might help if they have some room at one of the rehabs – ask them about FRCCC or other alternatives when you get the chance. They often just go along with the women who ask, so don’t get your hopes up too high….but it probably wouldn’t hurt to mention that you’re aware of these other beds at lower-level locations.
If your mom needs a walker or an assistive walking device, she needs a note from her doctor. If she has any metal in her body that might set off the metal detector (and it’s pretty sensitive – bra underwires always set it off), then she’ll also need a doctor’s note, and then they’ll just wand her instead. You’ll be able to send out the visiting forms as soon as you get to A Yard; they have to be signed by you before you send them out. You can see a sample of what they look like on the website. Your folks will need to fill them out and send them back in to the Visiting Department at PO Box 99, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0099, and it takes about a month to get them approved. While you’re on A Yard, you can only visit through ‘glass’ on Sunday mornings between 9:30 to 12:00, but when you get out on the main yards, you can visit all day Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. You’ll be able to go out to the Visiting Room without being searched, but you’ll need to “squat and cough” on your way back in after Visiting. They make you strip and you have to squat over a mirror then cough. That’s supposed to be enough for them to see if you have anything in your cavities….. Hope that isn’t too graphic a description. You’ll have to do that when you get to Reception, too, so it’s something you should be aware of. Yeah, prison kind of sucks, doesn’t it? Try to take it all with a wry sense of humor, and you’ll be okay…..
By the way, they CAN NOT mess with visitors. If anyone thinks they ‘have cause’ to look carefully at a visitor, they have to ASK first, and we have the right to say NO and leave without being bothered. It rarely happens, and usually only to visitors of known troublemakers who actually ARE trying to sneak stuff in. The Visiting guards are pretty much okay – they get along with outside family members well, and even if they don’t always exactly try to make us all feel comfortable, most of the time they can even be pleasant and helpful. So tell your folks not to be too nervous about visiting. It’s kind of strange the first time, but after a while, you figure out that it’s just another huge bureaucracy with a whole bunch of rules, and as long as you don’t rock the boat, things go along pretty smoothly.
And if there’s ever ANY problem, visitors should ask for the Administrator of the Day to help solve problems (that would be the “AOD”). They are pretty much responsible for good public PR, so they try to solve the problem to the visitor’s satisfaction.
When are you going to be headed up there?
Nancy R.
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Good morning Z! (followup on previous email)
A ducat is kind of like a permission slip. It’s used for going to appointments, to ask to see a counselor or a notary, to go to church or to group activities, etc., etc. Chronos are written information on your personal health issues, mostly. If you have to be on a lower bunk because of a physical problem (my sister had one of those because she was an older lady and had problems with her balance) or you need to have tennis shoes on at certain jobs because of a foot problem, or if you are hearing impared and need a vest so that guards know you can’t hear the buzzers, bells, whistles, etc., then you have a chrono for that condition. You get a chrono to stay home from programming if you get sick.
You request ducats for a medical visit, and visitors purchase “photo ducats” for visiting, if they want to get a picture during visiting hours with their loved one. Photo ducats cost $2 in the Visitor Processing Center, and the visitor buys a slip of paper that he or she can turn in during visiting hours, and someone will take a digital picture for the visitor, usually a group picture posed with the inmate. The photos are processed while you wait, and the visitors can take them home. The inmate isn’t allowed to carry anything back into the prison, but your visitor can take the photos home and copy them and send them back in for you to have inside. It’s kind of cool.
When you first get to Reception, you’ll be given a “Fish Kit” which is basically the same baggie that indigent prisoners get once a month. It has a bar of soap, some toothpaste, a little toothbrush, a small pencil, 5 stamped envelopes, a small plastic comb, and a few other items. Once you get some postage stamps from home, and if you have some money on your books for canteen, you should be able to pick up extra items, like stationery. Remember, your family can send you in a stationery package right away, and I encourage them to get it ready to send out as soon as they get your room assignment and CDCR number. That will also provide you with some trade items.
When you go through intake during your first day, you’ll probably have a chance to ask about FRCCC and Live Oak, but I never went through reception myself (although I’ve toured it), so I don’t know exactly who you will see or how they’re liable to treat you, in terms of answering your questions. Just do the best you can, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone during the first few days that will know something about your chances of obtaining a bed slot at one of the lower-level facilities. You’ll be going through a few reviews with people, so I’m sure you’ll get a chance to ask at some point.
By the way, if you have questions once you are there and you want to write to me, my mailing address is:
Nancy Rubinstein
PO Box 374
Hayfork, CA 96041
I have friendships with several of the women inside, and have written to dozens of women who have been there or at one of the other prisons. I’ve visited a couple of them in Visiting, and have a couple of wonderful women that I have developed long-term friendships with. I’ve toured inside the prison a couple of times, and I’ve been on A Yard, in Receiving, in the Package area, in the Medical on-site facility, and in the warehouse and the mailroom. I haven’t been on the main yard, except to pass through it to go to A Yard, but it’s right in the middle of everything so I’ve seen it. Other members of the IFC have taken tours of the Education Department, the Library, the Silver Belles dorm (for older women) and the cafeterias, I think.
Once you get out on the main yards, you’ll probably end up eating a lot more often in your room instead of at the cafeteria. I understand that the Cafeteria food is pretty awful, and the women are wizards at cooking in their rooms. It’s very creative. You’ll be amazed at what people can come up with. Once you start getting packages, you’ll probably want to order food. It’s a nice break from the institutional food. And even though the Visiting food is now out of vending machines, you can still get cold sodas and stuff like that out there, so it’s also a nice break.
When do you think you’ll be leaving?
NLR
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I am entering my plea this Thursday. I am not sure as to how long before the plea until the sentencing hearing. My attorney said something like 30-45 days.
Am I allowed to bring the address of my family with me?
I know you mentioned to listen more than you talk, but I was wondering what do you say when someone asks you what you are in for? I just don't know what to say and what not to say.
Thank you so much!
Z
Yes, you’re right, people will probably ask you. You are going to be under a lot of stress, so you are always able to say “I don’t want to talk about it right now” and let them think what they will…. I don’t think you’ll have much of a problem with that, though. There are always plenty of braggers around, who are proud of their ‘bad selves’ and will be hogging up the highlights. Of course, if you find someone there that you are comfortable with, it’s the same as out here. You’ll click with some people, you won’t with others. There will be other people who are just like you there. Remember, even if you’re in there with ‘murderers’, we’re all just women who got in a really bad scrape somewhere. Frankly, over time, you’ll find that the ‘murderers’ are some of the better people in there, not scamming and running hustles like some of the women. ‘Murderers’ in women’s prisons are largely there because they were being beaten and used and in the wrong place at the wrong time, and aren’t the kind of people that run around and rob convenience markets with guns, like guys do.
You won’t be allowed much with you. It’s been a while, so I don’t quite remember. I think you may not be able to. Memorize one main contact address, if nothing else, and have someone send you in addresses as soon as you get there.
N
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I was looking at the stationary that you are allowed to receive.
When you are on the "A" yard, are you allowed the 110 sheets of lined paper and the 40 envelopes with the stamps? I understand the stamps need to be seperate from the envelopes.
Do they have water at the canteen that you can buy? What about any fruit?
Z
Hi Z:
It’s not so much the number of sheets of paper as much as it is that you can’t get a package that weighs more than 13 ounces. That’s because if the mail is “priority”, the prison won’t accept it. The Post Office sends it as “Priority” if it’s 13 ounces or more. Also, make sure that the envelope that you mail the stationary in is not made of cardboard or have padding or bubble wrap in it. It should just be a plain manila envelope. I use white ones, because even though both white and manila colored mailing envelopes can both go first class, the mailroom tends to sort the manila ones more slowly than the white ones. I once sent calendars in November for Christmas, and they didn’t get to the inmates until late January….. because they automatically threw the manila envelopes into the 2nd class mail pile!
So you can get the same stationary packages on A Yard that you can get on the main yards. I checked that out with the Mailroom just recently and verified it.
The only kind of envelopes allowed with stamps are the ones that have the pre-embossed stamps. You can’t put regular stamps on envelopes and send them into the prison. You can send the envelopes and stamps in the same mailer, but they can’t be already put onto the envelopes. That’s because contraband could potentially be stuck behind the stamps and stuck onto the envelopes. Obviously, someone could do that with the stamps right on their own paper roll, but whatever. And remember that the envelopes can only be plain white, without security printing or patterns or anything like that. Also, paper can’t be colored, but only white (and I think yellow legal is okay, but I don’t quite remember, so you’ll have to check on that). And pads of paper must have the cardboard backs and tops removed. No cardboard!
I know, there are a lot of picky little rules, but you’ll catch the drift of all this pretty fast.
Also, don’t mind asking questions – the more you ask, the more I think about things I need to tell people, put up on the website, etc. And I’m really glad that you’re getting prepared for this. It’ll make it so much easier for you.
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Nancy,
How does the phone system work? My daughter only has a cell phone and I saw somewhere that she could set up an account that allows collect calls.
Are you able to just make collect calls to a normal landline phone?
Also, in order to send money to me, who would they make the money order out to?
Z
Dear Z:
There are a couple of different ways to have money put on your books. If people want to send you money orders, then they should make it out to you, with your CDCR number and housing location filled out on it. They should also fill out the place where their information (as the senders) goes. The prison doesn’t allow anonymous money to be put on your books. That’s not usually a problem. Money orders should be sent in regular envelopes to the inmate, but should be sent to PO Box 94 instead of the regular correspondence PO Box (that would be 92). CCWF has different PO Box numbers – I’m just providing you with the VSPW ones here, because I’ve got them memorized. If someone sends you a money order, it is handled quicker if it goes to PO Box 94, because that’s the one that is specific for money orders. Otherwise, they sit with regular mail and it takes longer.
People can also use the internet to go on one of the commercial trust fund sites, and send money in via credit or debit card. JPay is a pretty good one. It costs a couple of bucks, but it should get the money on the inmate books a lot faster than going through the mail. I’ve used JPay and CyberSsuite before, and they both do exactly what they say they’re going to do – get money on the inmate’s books.
I’m attaching a couple of memos that came out from the phone carrier and the CDCR around Christmas that have to do with the new allowable cell phone protocols. Maybe these will give you some ideas of what you can do about phones. I avoid the whole phone scene, because it’s really expensive and not particularly satisfying. I’m not sure what you’ll need to have, but if your parents have a land line, that means you’ll be able to call them collect for a while (3 or 4 times) before GTL will require them to set up a prepaid account. If they have a phone company that will allow GTL to add-on to their regular bill, they may not even have to do that, if you don’t call too much. Your daughter may have to have a land line to use for a forward to a cell phone, but this may have changed. Anyhow, check out the fliers, and maybe that’ll give you the info you need.
Some phone info is also available through our main page on the website, under the "PHONES" section. I need to get these new fliers posted, so people can have the new cell phone info.
You won’t be able to call out for the first few weeks – phone privileges have to be earned by doing free jobs for the guards. A lot of people decide they don’t want to do this, and also these jobs tend to go to the pretty girls. It may or may not be worth it.
You will be able to use the phone regularly once you are on the main yards. Remember, the cost adds up really fast and have mercy on your parents!
N
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From: Z
Nancy,
There is a good book that I am reading called "Orange is the New Black". It is about a young woman that served 15 mos in federal prison. It is something you might want to put on the web.
Z
Dear Z:
You may have a little time before having to go up to Chowchilla (hopefully, you won’t have to go at all…I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you). Anyhow, while you’re waiting, you may want to start looking at the prison information that comes through one of the e-lists. I moderate a pretty simple one that is mostly news articles about California issues with prisons, with a special interest in the women’s issues we’ve got. I just went there and sent you an invite that you can use to go to the link, if you’d like. It’s for http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CA-IFC/ .
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Nancy,
I was talking with my family last night, and they wanted me to ask you when thought it would be apprioate to ask about the facility in Bakersfield.
I don't want to set off on the wrong foot, and give them the wrong impression about me.
Also, I know this is going to sound sooooo naive, but where exactly and how do the women obtain drugs in that facility?
Z
Hi Z:
I’m going to put you in touch with the gal who wrote the “first time mom” story, who had a daughter go to FRCCC. Maybe she can give you some leads and ideas. Her name is Gayle Ward, and I gave her your email address just now. As far as rubbing someone the wrong way – don’t worry. As soon as women find out about these lower-level facilities, they ALL ask to go there. Maybe if you work on it ahead of time, you’ll have a better chance. Who knows? Anyhow, maybe Gayle can give you some leads on that.
I’m not sure if there’s something in Bakersfield. FRCCC stands for Female Rehabilitative Community Correctional Center, and that may be where it is located.
Women obtain drugs through the mail (things get snuck through all the time), but they also come in with guards, and sometimes through yard crews and through warehouse crews. There are inmates that work outside the prison, and can find items and smuggle them in from having people leave things outside for them to find in certain places. Some things do come through visiting. Sometimes it comes through boxes, etc. There are a million ways to get around the rules. And the employees there can be just as corrupt as any other person, especially when big money is involved. And contraband brings in big money. I understand that since tobacco was banned, it’s gotten to be a huge business inside. Expensive, and very, very profitable.
N
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(For an excellent presentation regarding the FRCCC, go to this U-Tube video, provided by the CDCR.... FRCCC Video .)
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From: Z
I looked up the FRCCC on google and it mentioned that is was in Bakersfield on Jessie Street. They said it was called Casa Aurora.
Maybe I got the wrong link.
Thank you for sending me the information.
Z
You are absolutely right! I checked my addresses, and it was in Bakersfield!!! Good for you. They have changed the name on it, and that’s good to know. Yes, you’ve got the right place!!
I hope that Gayle gets back to you soon.
N
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for putting me in touch with Gayle. She has also given me a lot of information. I am so happy for them that they are coming to the final leg of their journey. I am looking forward to that date as well (seems like a long way from here).
I had another question... As far as a bra and shoes.. Are you allowed to keep the shoes you wear (sneakers) they day they take you into custody and what about a bra?
Should I cut my hair short and dye it brown? I have very blond hair, and my family is worried that I am going to "stick out". I don't know what to do about that. Are you allowed to have a bra? I can't imagine not having one.
I hope one day that I can be of help to someone like myself the way you have helped me. Do you take volunteers after they have done their time?
Z
Dear Z:
I doubt that trying to ‘disguise’ yourself by changing your hair would make you more comfortable. There are plenty of blond women there. They actually get some of the better assignments. Gayle’s daughter is a blonde, by the way! Anyhow, a lot of women in there use various substances to try and blond up their hair while they’re inside. No reason to give up a positive attribute! Do what makes you comfortable, but try to be yourself as much as possible. One thing you’ll find out is that there are a lot of women who will know if you’re bluffing about things, and they might give you a hard time. Unless you regularly dye your hair, I wouldn’t recommend it. Be yourself!
I’ll give my sister your address too, and see if she’s got any time to drop you an email. She’s working 6 to 7 days a week right now, so she’s pretty busy, but I’ll see what I can do. She was there from 2002 to 2006, was an older lady, petite, white, and had to go straight in without any bail or out-time, so it was a complete mystery to her when she went in. But she did fine. You will probably be bunking with some young women of color when you are on A Yard (when you get to the 8-bed rooms), so you will be dealing with bragging, noisy children. They can be annoying but if you act like the ‘mom’, you’ll get some respect. You’re too old for games, and you just want to serve your time. Remember that! You’ll be fine.
It used to be that the women all had to keep their hair above their collars, so people with long hair had to put it up in a bun or braids or a ponytail, so that tends to make it look short, anyhow. I’m not sure if they’ll let you wear it down now or not, but a lot of people probably put it up anyhow. So that’s a way that you could mitigate your concern about having longer hair. Just put it up. They have hairdressing that is available there occasionally, and there are inmates that are allowed to provide haircuts and some minor styling, so you won’t be completely separated from all style in there. In fact, style is a huge issue, along with makeup, etc. Women remain women, even in prison.
Yes, yes, yes! If you really want to help out, would you consider keeping a journal that we could publish? You obviously are articulate and can write clearly. I know that a journal isn’t the first thing on the mind of new inmates, and that’s exactly why it would be SOOOOO valuable to us out here – to provide something that would help people going into this understand some of what happens. I’m serious. Would you be interested in journaling your journey for us? It would be INVALUABLE to so many people in the future. Don’t feel like you need to commit to this, but please consider it. Think of yourself as a journalist. Maybe that way, it might be easier…..well, maybe…..
Oh, you will not be able to keep any of your clothing. You will be issued state bras (which will be washed by the laundry people and then redistributed at random) and you will be wearing prison slippers for a while. As soon as you get tested and all that, they’ll issue you shoes that are appropriate for whatever your programming assignment is. If you work outside, you’ll get boots, and a pair of tennis shoes to use during leisure time. If you work inside, you’ll just get tennis shoes. These are not always in the best of shape, so one of your first boxes will probably include personal bras, panties and a pair of tennis shoes, and perhaps some socks. Be sure to leave your family with your measurements. That way they can order your first box more quickly and easily.
Yup, the first few weeks are very uncomfortable. It’s sort of like boot camp. Only scarier sometimes and more boring most of the time.
You won’t have any paper at first, but if you would like me to send you some, please let me know ahead of time, and I’ll get you off a package as soon as we get your CDCR number.
Yours, Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I am touched that you asked me to do that. I would very much like to. I have already bought the paper, envelopes and stamps for my daughter to send to me right away.
Would you want me to start while I am in the reception area? Is that considered "A" yard. I am a person that likes to be busy and have a purpose. Are they going to give me a hard time if I am doing that? Where would I send the information to?
If your sister has time, that would be great. If not, I understand. Are you close to each other? I am very close with my sister's and with my daughter. I suppose that is the hardest part about all of this. I have let them down. That is why it is so important for me to have all of this information available to them.
Let me know what you would like me to do and I will.
Thank you again,
Z
Dear Z:
How great is this? You are The Bomb!!!! Thank you so much for being interested in following this up. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, and I really appreciate your willingness to help out others. Maybe having a project that will help others in all of this may just be a real help to you, too. In any case, I really want you to know that any information you can share will be an incredible thing for so many others in the future. Thank you, over and over.
Please be sure to tell L if she has any questions, we are happy to help find answers for her. I’ll drop her a line and let her know, as well.
If you want to start NOW, that would be incredible. I realize that a lot of information would have to be you processing events, and I totally respect that. However, what you are going through is not unique, and your insights would be invaluable. Also, if you are good at writing, it might help you out, too. It is a record, it is a warning, and it is a direction for others. Please consider it.
Anything you write is considered confidential by me unless you give me written permission to share it.
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
I will start tomorrow. that should be a good starting point.
I feel that there is a reason that this has happened, I just don't know what it is yet. My mother read some of your emails today and cried. She thinks its wonderful that I have found someone to talk to about all of this. It does bring a tear to my eye, as I don't even know you. You have shown kindness to me that I never expected.
I will email you tomorrow.
Many thanks,
Z
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Dear L:
I have been corresponding with your friend, Z, for the last couple of weeks about her impending incarceration at the state level. I’m a prison advocate at the women’s prisons in California, and my emphasis has been on Valley State Prison for Women. I also deal with Central California Women’s Prison and the California Institute for Women in Corona. I work on the Inmate Family Council as the webmaster for their website at www.VSPW-IFC.com , and also moderate an elist at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CA-IFC/ . I participate in a number of other advocacy forums that focus on womens’ issues in prison, and have extensive contacts in the prison advocacy community.
It has been a delight to correspond with Z, as she is proactive and quite articulate about her concerns regarding upcoming events in her life. That is such a good thing, and I’m happy to help her out with information and contact information.
Please consider me a contact if you should have any questions about prison protocols that might impact Z, and you as her friend.
I’m always available via email, and can be reached at 530-628-1096. I live in Northern California, outside of Redding, California.
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rubinstein
VSPW Inmate Family Council volunteer
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From: L
Nancy,
Thank you so much for the email. The funny thing is, I was thinking about emailing you today, to thank you for being such a powerful resource for my friend Z these past few weeks. I think the correspondence the two of you have shared has helped decrease her anxiety to a manageable level, if that is even possible!
As you can imagine (or possibly experienced first hand) what she is about to embark upon is extremely scary and sad. For me personally I think I have gone through every emotion humanly possible in the last few days. While I have known that her incarceration was inevitable, my anxiety for her has heightened as the plea will be entered tomorrow and sentencing shortly afterward.
My concern is of course for her well being, both mentally and physically. As a nurse I understand the toll mental stress can take on ones physical health, and vice verse.
I feel like I have so many questions, but don't know where to begin. If you don't mind I have a few questions.
1. How do I know where she will go after she is sentenced, how do I know that she is safe.
2. When I talk to her and see her
3. What is the protocol on informing family members or friends outside if an inmate becomes sick or injured (I spent some of my nursing rotations in a prison and know the health care is mediocre at best)
4. Is it true most non violent inmates will only serve about a quarter of their sentence?
Thank you so much for your time, your reaching out means a lot to me and I appreciate all of your advice
Thank you again,
L
Dear L:
Thank you so much for your note. Z will be safe physically. There are safeguards in place. The prison system is designed to protect its’ wards, and there are many ways that this is accomplished. The Internal Security Unit (the ISU) is a group of prison officers that constantly monitor the safety and security of the prison AND of the inmates that live there. In an extreme emergency, you may contact them. They are a dedicated unit and are run by a wonderful man named Lt. McGraw who was originally in the armed forces. He’s a very serious man, and takes his duties seriously. This is probably more information than you need, but I just want to assure you that your mother may have emotional stress, but will not be injured physically while she is there. If she is threatened, she may ask the ISU to protect her interests. That is their job.
When you use the term “embark” you are speaking an absolute truth. The whole prison experience is a journey, and it can feel like being abandoned at sea as a shanghaied victim. Z is doing some really valuable work in advance, and I’m delighted that she has the opportunity and the will to do what she is doing. She is obviously a very intelligent and proactive woman, and she is destined to do well in this environment and to come out of it on a positive note. Hang in there. It will be over sooner than anyone can reasonably expect.
When she leaves to go to Reception, we can find her within approximately 24 hours. She will be given a CDCR number and a room assignment within the first 12 hours after reaching the prison. It can only be one of three places, and will likely be VSPW (although it could possibly be CCWF or CIW). In any case, that is not hard to find out, and I will be happy to help you find her immediately. After that, you can immediately send her stationery, letters, stamps, books, periodicals and photos. Even though she will not be allowed to use the phone right away, you can be in contact with her within a week to 10 days. I recommend that you send her some postcards immediately, as they get in rapidly and are colorful and a positive reinforcement.
She will need to send you out a Visiting Application immediately, signed. You fill that out and send it back immediately to PO Box 99, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0099, and they take + or – 30 days to approve it. Once it is approved, you may visit her in Chowchilla on Sundays while she is on A Yard. The A Yard visiting hours are Sunday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Once she is shifted over to a mainline bed (B, C, or D Yards), she can receive visits Saturday and Sunday (both days, if you stay overnight), from 8:30 Am to 3:00 PM. Visits are the lifeblood of inmates, and are so precious I can’t even begin to express it. If you can see her early on, it will be a real lifeline for her.
When Z is processed in Reception, they will inform her that she can fill out a “Release of Information” form, naming a friend or family member. She should name you as her release of information person. If you look on our website, you will see some information about this under the “Medical” information box. It means that you are able to call the Medical Department and discuss any problems that you become aware of. I highly recommend that she names you on this document.
The current status of early release is that most non-violent inmates are getting 50% time, with no parole to speak of. That means if your mom gets a 40 month sentence, she’s likely to serve a little over 1½ years. If she can get time in one of the lower-level facilities like Live Oak outside of Sacramento or FRCCC in Bakersfield, I hear that Visiting is much more congenial. Keep your fingers crossed.
I don’t have all the answers, but if you have questions that I can’t give answers to, I’ll try to put you in touch with others that may know.
Z is awesome. I’ve really enjoyed corresponding with her, and am hoping that she does okay and gets through all this with the least amount of stress possible. I get the feeling, though, that she will do fine.
Meanwhile, be sure to let me know your questions, and as soon as she is sent out let me know and I will help you get her location information.
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rubinstein
VSPW IFC volunteer
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for the letter to my friend, L. She is having a hard time processing all of this. She has always worried about me since we were young. We have an incredible relationship that I cherish.
I was wondering if the mailing address for regular mail (letters and postcards) are the same for both VSPW and CCWF. I can't quite find that information. I am trying to put a little information together for my parents. They are not computer savvy and I want them to be able to send me mail on a regular basis.
Do the visitor forms get sent to one address for both facilities as well?
L wanted to know if she can send in regular "postcards" that you would buy at the drugstore? I told her I would ask you that question.
Thank you again,
Z
Thanks Z,
Yes! Let’s keep in touch – I’ll send you a note via snail mail after I get your contact info when you go. Your friend L sounds like a wonderful person!
Yes… You have something going for you, and I applaud your efforts to confront these issues!! Keep your head up. It’s a hard thing, but you are going to do fine. Hang in there.
Nancy R.
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From: Z
Hi Nancy,
Do you know if women from Ventura County are always sent to CCWF? I was wondering if that is always set in stone?
Thank you,
Z
PS What are the steps one would take if you don't hear about a visitor's approval status? Who do you ask?
Have you ever been the the Leo Chesney Facility? If so, what is that like?
Dear Z:
Yes, I have heard of the Leo Chesney Facility (also known as Live Oak, up north of Sacramento), but I don’t know anyone who has gone there, nor have I been there. Sorry!
Once someone sends in a Visiting approval form, it takes about 30 days for the Visiting Department to process the form. When they make their decision, they will tell the inmate. They will not tell the applicant. This is one of the few things that the inmate has some control over. There are women who go into prison and they might have an ex-boyfriend that wants to visit. But maybe the woman doesn’t want to see that ex-boyfriend. So she doesn’t have to tell him that he’s been approved if she doesn’t want to, and there’s nothing the ex-boyfriend can do about it. The Visiting Department will *NOT* tell an applicant if he or she has been approved. This is something that the applicant has to find out from the inmate.
However, if there is some reason why the applicant would be denied, the Visiting Department HAS to tell the applicant that he or she has been denied, and the reasons for that denial. Then the applicant can make the needed corrections on the application or take care of whatever the problem might be.
So if someone is approved, they are not going to hear it from the prison staff. They’ll have to find out from their inmate.
BUT….if you think, for some reason, that the application may have been misplaced, it is okay to call the Visiting Department and find out if they received it okay. You’d just have to call them during business hours.
Does that make sense?
Sincerely,
Nancy R.
PS
CCWF is across the street from VSPW, and they have their own mailing address. It’s PO Box 1508 for inmate mail, and PO Box 1501 for the administration.
Each prison handles its’ own visiting approvals. So if you send one from VSPW, it should be returned to VSPW Visiting Department at PO Box 99, Chowchilla, CA 93610-0099. If you end up at CCWF, the visiting form should be returned to CCWF Visiting Department at PO Box 1501, Chowchilla, CA 93610-1501.
Regular postcards are perfect. They’re cheap and colorful, and I’ve developed a hobby of collecting them when I travel, so I can use them to send in to inmates when I need to get them information quickly. They don’t have to be opened and checked for contraband, so they go in much faster than regular mail. And a little splash of color inside is always a welcome thing.
Again, as soon as you get shipped up to Chowchilla, I should be able to find your CDCR number and housing location within 24 hours, whether you are at VSPW or CCWF. Then I suppose I should email that information to your daughter and she can share it with your folks, yes?
Sorry I didn’t answer this sooner – the weather FINALLY got warm enough to work outside today.
PSS I think most of the new arrival processing goes on at either VSPW or CCWF, but I’m guessing that they must do occasional intakes at CIW also.
N