Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

grneyelady40 · #1 09-30-2008, 03:03 PM

I have my first visit to Potosi on Thursday. I am excited,scared,confused. If anyone that has experience with this facility please help me to understand what I need to know to have a great first visit. I am a very nervous person and quite shy until I feel comfortable.I love my guy so much and would never want to embarasses him or myself out of just ignorance of not knowing what to do ...Please Help Me ...I need someone to talk to right away. Thank you so much !

moobob28 · #2 09-30-2008, 04:00 PM

I personally have never been to that location, however i have been to a few. All of them are different, sometimes the guards can be very rude and think that you should know what to do already, other times they are nice as pie. Don't hesitate to ask them questions!! Sometimes i felt like they would treat you as prisoners also, but thats not at every one ive been to. Ive been to FRDC a few times, OCC, Pacific i cant remember the name of that one, and Maryville Treatment Center. The treatment centers by far are the most laid back. Pacific i felt like the guards thought i should know what to do etc and i thought they treated me differently because i was coming to visit someone there!! You just can't let that stuff bother you. They most always do not let you bring dollar bills, everyone i've been to has change machines though. Just bring in your car key, no key chains etc, wear presentable clothing, no gum, cell phones that kinda thing.(those are the norms everywhere, you may already know that). Little things vary from place to place, you can ask people there visiting too most of them are very friendly. Just relax and ask questions if you have them and you'll be fine!!!!!!! Hope this eases you a lil!!! Have a wonderful visit!!!

grneyelady40 · #3 09-30-2008, 05:59 PM

I really appreciate your advise. I am new to this whole thing and I just want this visit to be a good one and one of many to come.

Christy · #4 10-01-2008, 05:34 AM

When I did visit PCC, it was not horrible, but not the most comfortable place. The staff was helpful then (but they change them so much, I don't know if the same people are there or not). When you sign in first, tell them it's your first time and you are not sure what to do. Be polite and respectful and you will usually get it back. They will guide you to where and what you need to do.

Word of caution in the actual visiting room...don't talk to anyone but who you are visiting. It's a big no-no. Also, nothing more than holding hands...AT ALL. You can hug and kiss upon entering and leaving, but very brief.

Rules change all the time, so for me to spout what the rules were when I went would be moot. THey may not be the same as they used to and I'm positive they have added new ones. Just don't wear an underwire bra, they don't allow it. No sports bras either and not tank with the built in bra. If you do have underwire, they will make you either cut the wire out or leave to go buy a new one at the Walmart down the road. I've seen this a dozen times too.

No white shirts...they don't like that. No jewelry either other than a wedding ring/band/set and post earrings. Those are the only rules I can see them keeping from when I was there. Used to be you couldn't have anything in your hair other than a ponytail holder, but that could have changed. No bobbie pins. No clips.

Just be respectful and tell them it's your first time. They will probably know that because there are mostly the same visitors in that place week in and week out, so if they don't recognize you they will know you are new. It's very small.