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Comments from a family member:
Women are released early during the day, right around 8:00 AM. I have been told that if they are to be picked up at the prison, the ride should be there by 7:30 AM. If no one is there to pick up a released inmate, they are put on a bus and sent to the Fresno Greyhound bus station.
Persons coming to Chowchilla to pick up an inmate should drive into the main parking lot. They should check in with the desk at the Visitor Processing Center, which is the second building in the main parking lot. The front desk can check and see if the inmate is paroling, and let the staff know that the inmate has someone there to pick her up. Then you will need to go park in the back of the main lot, opposite the Visitor Processing building. You should park back by the "Friends Outside" trailer, in the back of the parking lot. The ladies exit in the van through the back gate in that area. If you have any questions, please call 559-665-6100, which is the main number for VSPW administration. If you dial "0" and ask for help picking up an inmate, the operator can direct you to someone who may be able to answer questions.
Comments from an Administrative Officer at VSPW (Septebmer 12, 2007):
As far as picking up a parolee at the prison, the inmate needs to advise the individual of her release date. Staff will not give this information out. Parolees leave after 0800 hours from VSPW. The person picking up the parolee should arrive in advance of 0800 and report to the visitor entrance to advise staff they are picking up the inmate. Staff will call R&R to see if the inmate is paroling and advise the transporting officer. After leaving R&R with the parolees, staff will stop the parole van in the parking lot to drop off the parolee. All persons should stay in or near their vehicle and be dressed appropriately. The staff at the visitor entrance will advise the person(s) where to park. Reminder - staff will not provide anyone who calls the prison with a release date or verify a release date. The inmate must provide this information.
Comments from the webmaster:
Women who do not have someone there to pick them up are bussed to the closest Greyhound Station. The cost of transportation is taken out of their $200 release money. Also, if they don't have clothing sent in to parole with, the cost of their state-issued clothing is also taken out of their parole money.
If you pick up an inmate at the prison, and bring clothing with you, the inmate may choose to purchase a "paper suit" and then change after she meets you outside. The "paper suit" is less expensive than the stat-issued clothing.
The prison does not allow driver's licenses or other identification to be sent in with the parole box, or in the mail. VSPW will issue a simple photo ID for the releasee, but it may not be used to drive a car, etc.
If an inmate has been in the state prison system for less than 6 months, she will not qualify for the $200 release money, according to Title 15. She will qualify for $1.10 per day, up to $200, for the time she is inside.
There is a Western Union inside the Fresno Greyhound station, at 1033 H Street. The number is 559-368-1829. If you want to wire money to a releasee there, she will only need to know a secret password that you give Western Union, such as her mother's maiden name.
Persons coming to Chowchilla to pick up an inmate should drive into the main parking lot. They should check in with the desk at the Visitor Processing Center, which is the second building in the main parking lot. The front desk can check and see if the inmate is paroling, and let the staff know that the inmate has someone there to pick her up. Then you will need to go park in the back of the main lot, opposite the Visitor Processing building. You should park back by the "Friends Outside" trailer, in the back of the parking lot. The ladies exit in the van through the back gate in that area. If you have any questions, please call 559-665-6100, which is the main number for VSPW administration. If you dial "0" and ask for help picking up an inmate, the operator can direct you to someone who may be able to answer questions.
Comments from an Administrative Officer at VSPW (Septebmer 12, 2007):
As far as picking up a parolee at the prison, the inmate needs to advise the individual of her release date. Staff will not give this information out. Parolees leave after 0800 hours from VSPW. The person picking up the parolee should arrive in advance of 0800 and report to the visitor entrance to advise staff they are picking up the inmate. Staff will call R&R to see if the inmate is paroling and advise the transporting officer. After leaving R&R with the parolees, staff will stop the parole van in the parking lot to drop off the parolee. All persons should stay in or near their vehicle and be dressed appropriately. The staff at the visitor entrance will advise the person(s) where to park. Reminder - staff will not provide anyone who calls the prison with a release date or verify a release date. The inmate must provide this information.
Comments from the webmaster:
Women who do not have someone there to pick them up are bussed to the closest Greyhound Station. The cost of transportation is taken out of their $200 release money. Also, if they don't have clothing sent in to parole with, the cost of their state-issued clothing is also taken out of their parole money.
If you pick up an inmate at the prison, and bring clothing with you, the inmate may choose to purchase a "paper suit" and then change after she meets you outside. The "paper suit" is less expensive than the stat-issued clothing.
The prison does not allow driver's licenses or other identification to be sent in with the parole box, or in the mail. VSPW will issue a simple photo ID for the releasee, but it may not be used to drive a car, etc.
If an inmate has been in the state prison system for less than 6 months, she will not qualify for the $200 release money, according to Title 15. She will qualify for $1.10 per day, up to $200, for the time she is inside.
There is a Western Union inside the Fresno Greyhound station, at 1033 H Street. The number is 559-368-1829. If you want to wire money to a releasee there, she will only need to know a secret password that you give Western Union, such as her mother's maiden name.