Moved again - this time Goulburn!!!

[girlfordave]

Hi all,

Well my friend has been moved to Goulburn today. Not happy Jan! (Especially as we had a visit booked today ).

So far it has been MRRC, Lithgow, back to MRRC and now Goulburn and he hasn't even been sentenced yet...

I have looked on the PTO website for threads on Goulburn. I have already checked the DCS website and have the official info about visits etc. (2 hour drive one way for a 1 hour visit ).

What I would like to know is if any of you have had a loved one at Goulburn (maximum) recently and how you have found it. Also any first-hand info/hints from visitors would be appreciated.

I am hoping to get there for a visit this weekend but don't like my chances. The bookings had closed this afternoon when I phoned but the guy at the gate said to call in the morning... sigh...

So if anyone can help with info other than the stock standard on the DCS web page I would really appreciate it... Somehow makes you feel a little more secure if you know what to expect your first time...

Cheers,
GFD

[MadeInOz]

Hey GFD,

Man that sucks! Sorry, I don't know much about Goulburn jail.

I wonder if there's a bus out to the jail that might make getting there a bit easier.

How long does he have to wait for sentencing?

MIO

[girlfordave]

Hey MIO,

We are not sure but from all indications sentencing won't be until later in the year.

I phoned this morning and couldn't get a visit this weekend which is basically what I expected but still disappointing.

The CRC do run a bus every fortnight but it takes so much longer that I would prefer to drive - I am lucky I am able to do that as some visitors don't have that option. It would just be good if they had longer visits... at least at Lithgow we got a couple of hours.

Ah well, best get used to it; supporting a prisoner is never easy and I understand from posts on here that they sometimes move them around a lot!

Cheers,
GFD

[jen t]

Hi my son has just been moved to Goulburn about 4 weeks ago he hasnt been sentenced yet he was at Parklea we tried to get him to Wellington near where I live but for some reason they took him to Goulburn went for my first visit last Saturday it took me 4hour drive to get there our visit was 1pm you need to get there at least 30-40mins prior the whole process to get in is so degrading. You start at the reception get fingerprints done etc then you have to walk to another section go through this bizarre body scanner then fingerprints again wait wait the over to another section fingerprints again then finally to the visitors area fingerprints again the finally you get your hour which goes so quick. Then to get out you do it all again, our visit finished at 2pm we finally got in the car at 2.30pm I got in the car and burst into tears it was so overwhelming but I got to see my son so it is worth it hope you get to see your friend, my son is in protective custody he said its not too bad in there.
Jenny

[girlfordave]

Thanks for the reply Jenny. We will make sure we get there early to go through all the rigmarole.

I just booked for Saturday and found out he is only allowed 1 visit per weekend - I can't believe it! How are they (or we) supposed to cope with one 1 hour visit. It is more than cruel.

I will be going with his son and daughter too and I expect there will be some tears from us as well. It is going to be a difficult adjustment.

I hope he can get moved to somewhere like Lithgow - at least the visits are 2 hours and you can go both days on the weekend.

Good luck.

Cheers,
GFD