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ConnieLynn84 · #1 12-09-2009, 11:44 PM

I'm a little new here and I'm sure some where my ?'s have been answered and I'm sorry! If anyone can help I'd be so thankfull. My boyfriend should be transfered to CCCF Tuesday of next week. I've been putting money on MY VAC account for my cell phone and also using the home phone for his collect calls from county. I'm going to change my cell phone # to a number local to CCCF. Can I still add funds to my cell phone # online with a credit card through VAC to recieve his calls that way? Or do I have to send money to VAC with his SID# Ect? After reading I see that it's cheaper to add the money to his account via sending to VAC. Can I do both for the 1st month? We like to have a back up plan always. Also my boyfriend told me to contact the dome building if I have any ?'s I can't get answered on my own. Does anyone have any contact info for them? At CCCF do the male inmates have to enter their SID# to make out going calls? He can't remember how it works up there and I've never delt with anything other then county. When he gets transfered to a main line prison how long will it take for him to get my cell phone num approved? CCCF is in Wilsonville right? So can I just transfer my cell # to a Wilsonville prefix? Anyone who can answere any of my ?'s thankyou so much!!!

Connie Lynn

JDsButterfly · #2 12-10-2009, 12:47 AM

if my memory serves me right then you will be able to still add funds to your VAC account via internet/ debit card. and yes you can do both. a back up plan is always good. i have no idea how to contact the dome building. i just call the prison he is at with all questions, and his counselor. this site is an endless resource too. i don't know if they use the sid # on the phones at cccf. i can ask tomorrow night if you don't have an answer by then. though he should receive a hand book that has the telephone use directions in it. or he can just ask some one else in the line. it can take as little as 5 - 10 days to get a new number approved. it can also take a month. each time i have had to change the cell number when he has moved it did take close to 10 days though. cccf is in wilsonville. he should only be at cccf for a month or less, mind you i said should. so you will be changing your number again soon. i waited till he got transferred to change my other number. but yes you would need a local wilsonville phone number. that's what i tell the cell phone company when i change the number. but before you do that please ask your cell phone provider if the allow you to change numbers like that, some don't. then ask if they charge to do so, verizon does $15. and also ask them how often they allow you to change the number. verizon makes you wait till the beginning of your billing cycle, or they charge more.
and best wishes to both of you!!!!!!

JDsButterfly · #3 12-10-2009, 12:52 AM

oh one more thing.... check in to the e mail availability where he ends up at. it is a wonderful thing to have. especially if you are having phone problems. it is way cheap and way fast, well next day in most cases. it says only snake and warner have it, but i hear they are getting it up and running for all prisons. it has been a life saver a time or two. here is a link to the site to start all that, so you can at lease check it out while you wait for him to transfer.
https://www.inmatemail.com/VacWebNew/Login.aspx

iloveyoumore · #4 12-10-2009, 10:12 AM

Hello again Connie. I am not positive because it has been awhile for us but I don't know if they can make calls at Coffee Creek. Sign up for Vinelink so you will be notified when he gets where he is going. Then change your number. It has always taken about 7-10 business days for my new numbers to be approved. If you are doing a prepaid VAC account you do it through Moneygram...at Walmart it costs 8.50 to send the money and they usually apply it pretty fast. If you are doing Be Connect you can do it online. The transition from county to mainline can entail alot of waiting but soon you'll be able to have your routine again. He can get mail at CCCF. The dome building has multiple numbers depending on the questions you have. Check the ODOC website. You will get most of your questions answered here too.

AngelPrincess84 · #5 12-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Connie...yes, you can still add money online to your VAC account. I know you're getting a new number, but keep in mind it takes time for him to add the number to his call list. You may want to change your number now, so he has it once he gets in to CCCF. He can immediately add the number to his call list...otherwise he will not be able to call that number until it is approved by DOC. You may want to have a back up number, so he can call once he gets to CCCF. It sounds like you have a house number. The calls might be a little more, but it will only be for a week or so...if they're approving numbers on time. Good luck and Congratulations on your pregnancy. Your new little baby will bring you much joy once he/she arrives!

lookinforward · #6 12-11-2009, 12:25 AM

I'm also just beginning to learn the VAC system. My daughter was sentenced two days ago - 18 months. We knew it was coming and it's a relief really - all the waiting is over. Or rather the UNKNOWN waiting, I guess I should say. So now I'm learning the basic info. I didn't have any phone system when she was in county. But now I'm ready, since she'll be in one place for a while !!!! (as opposed to in and out of county...)

I live in Lane County, and do have a cell phone, with 541 of course. And it's on a family plan, so I'm thinking that getting a phone with Wilsonville 503 is the way to go - right?

Is a prepaid one the best? I don't want to do the contract thing on another phone. And don't want to change my number. I'm thinking pre-paid might be cheaper than getting yet another phone on our shared family plan. And if prepaid IS the best, does anyone have pros and cons about different prepaid phone brands?

And can I use my debit/credit card to pay the VAC? The $50 deposit someone mentioned is a bummer, but guess we don't have many choices. Do you get the deposit back after some amount of time?

Finally - can I go ahead and set it up while she's still in intake? If I understand other posts, the answer is yes. But I want to avoid mistakes if I can. I want to do this right the first time - no wasting of time or money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConnieLynn84

I'm a little new here and I'm sure some where my ?'s have been answered and I'm sorry! If anyone can help I'd be so thankfull. My boyfriend should be transfered to CCCF Tuesday of next week. I've been putting money on MY VAC account for my cell phone and also using the home phone for his collect calls from county. I'm going to change my cell phone # to a number local to CCCF. Can I still add funds to my cell phone # online with a credit card through VAC to recieve his calls that way? Or do I have to send money to VAC with his SID# Ect? After reading I see that it's cheaper to add the money to his account via sending to VAC. Can I do both for the 1st month? We like to have a back up plan always. Also my boyfriend told me to contact the dome building if I have any ?'s I can't get answered on my own. Does anyone have any contact info for them? At CCCF do the male inmates have to enter their SID# to make out going calls? He can't remember how it works up there and I've never delt with anything other then county. When he gets transfered to a main line prison how long will it take for him to get my cell phone num approved? CCCF is in Wilsonville right? So can I just transfer my cell # to a Wilsonville prefix? Anyone who can answere any of my ?'s thankyou so much!!!

Connie Lynn

grannyG · #7 12-14-2009, 08:21 AM

Hopeful Mom,
Let me try addressing some of your questions, sorry that I'll miss some. The $50. deposit to start the account goes to their account for their use - it isn't a deposit per say, just the initial amount needed to begin a VAC account. If you aren't wanting to do another contract phone, then by all means it sounds like pre paid might be the better way for you to go - only you can decide that. They are allowed phone use while in intake - so I have been told, and yes you may set up the VAC account now while your inmate is at intake. Visits aren't allowed during this time. If you are setting up a VAC account for them, then they can call anyone with the money, but it is the cheaper way to go. Calls are $1.75 for a call direct to a local cell phone - using their VAC account. It must be paid for by money gram or money order mailed in (to my knowledge). I use money orders because they don't take out a fee for that. Money gram takes out a fee??????? Others have talked about another type of VAC account, where you put the money on your "own" account for the inmate to call. They can only use those funds to call you. I know nothing personally about these, so will not answer questions about it, rather leave that to those that know them.
Connie, One thing that people aren't mentioning to you is this: His VAC account at County will not be the same when he is moved to intake. That VAC account will no longer be any good. He will need to start a new one for DOC, with his new numbers. Many people have gotten confused with this in the past. I also have no private experience dealing with this, but have heard several complaints about it. Maybe someone that knows this better can enlighten us further here.

ConnieLynn84 · #8 12-14-2009, 05:47 PM

thanks for the help and your responses! He was sentenced today so should be on chain tomarrow. I talk to him everyday right now and I think we've decided to keep the current cell num and have him call the house phone for now and pay for the pricey calls untill he hits mainline then transfer the cell num. So I have some new questions if anyone can help... From experience I was under the impression that when you get to CCCF you don't have to submit a phone list. That's been atleast a year though so I don't know if it's changed since then. It's just crazy to think of going without talking him for more then a day since we talk everyday now and baby just came yesterday. So do they have to submit a list right away? Then after that list they have to wait for approval from doc for any num added after that?
Also, I logged onto my vac account today to add another facility to my account and all it lists for Oregon is county jails. Does anyone know anything about that? My guy told me tonight someone told him the only way they can make calls up there now is direct collect calls ((the most exspensive)) and the pre paid with their sid and pin num. Does anyone know anything about this? (Con Vine) isn't always correct..LoL for now i think this is all i need to know to avoid frustration! =) this website is great and so helpfull to inmates families. thankyou!!!

lookinforward · #9 12-15-2009, 02:01 AM

Thank you GrannyG - you are a wealth of information. You were helpful. There is so much to learn !! I think I will check into our existing Verizon acct about getting a 503 phone, and see how that price compares to buying a prepaid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyG

Hopeful Mom,
Let me try addressing some of your questions, sorry that I'll miss some. The $50. deposit to start the account goes to their account for their use - it isn't a deposit per say, just the initial amount needed to begin a VAC account. If you aren't wanting to do another contract phone, then by all means it sounds like pre paid might be the better way for you to go - only you can decide that. They are allowed phone use while in intake - so I have been told, and yes you may set up the VAC account now while your inmate is at intake. Visits aren't allowed during this time. If you are setting up a VAC account for them, then they can call anyone with the money, but it is the cheaper way to go. Calls are $1.75 for a call direct to a local cell phone - using their VAC account. It must be paid for by money gram or money order mailed in (to my knowledge). I use money orders because they don't take out a fee for that. Money gram takes out a fee??????? Others have talked about another type of VAC account, where you put the money on your "own" account for the inmate to call. They can only use those funds to call you. I know nothing personally about these, so will not answer questions about it, rather leave that to those that know them.
Connie, One thing that people aren't mentioning to you is this: His VAC account at County will not be the same when he is moved to intake. That VAC account will no longer be any good. He will need to start a new one for DOC, with his new numbers. Many people have gotten confused with this in the past. I also have no private experience dealing with this, but have heard several complaints about it. Maybe someone that knows this better can enlighten us further here.

lookinforward · #10 12-15-2009, 02:05 AM

And about the other VAC acct that only works on my number. I like the sound of that, because I really don't want to pay for her to call her friends ! How can I get info on tht? does anyone have a phone number for this VAC place? I've seen an address, but don't remember a web site or phone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onemoremom

Thank you GrannyG - you are a wealth of information. You were helpful. There is so much to learn !! I think I will check into our existing Verizon acct about getting a 503 phone, and see how that price compares to buying a prepaid.

lookinforward · #11 12-15-2009, 02:12 AM

Well, grannyg I just realized that I answered your reply with my other name. I started here with "onemoremom" user name, then during the short time that my daughter was home, and using my computer and sometimes my email account, I started another PTO acct with "hopefulmom". I encouraged her to check out PTO, for a variety of reasons, but wanted to keep my posts private. so - really all I did was end up confusing myself. !! I really need to get back to just one name !!! And I think onemoremom is it.. anyway, perhaps you didn't even notice

Quote:

Originally Posted by onemoremom

And about the other VAC acct that only works on my number. I like the sound of that, because I really don't want to pay for her to call her friends ! How can I get info on tht? does anyone have a phone number for this VAC place? I've seen an address, but don't remember a web site or phone.

dmmke08 · #12 12-15-2009, 02:38 AM

Here is the address for vac:
VAC
Dept 2430
P.O.Box 122430
Dallas,Texas 75312-2430

And here is the phone number: 1-800-786-8521
call there with any questions re: vac

Connie, your man will not be able to speak to you for a few days from cccf as he will be in intake. If i remember correctly its 5 to 7 days where you wont hear from him its what they call black out. you can call cccf after he is there to get info. he will call when he is able too. Here is the ph# for cccf 1-503-570-6400 here is the inmate locater ph# 1-877-674-8463 I hope this helps for now.. I had no problems when I called there the person I spoke with was helpful. Try not to stress out as you have a new baby to care of. Congratulations on that new little bundle of joy.

grannyG · #13 12-15-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onemoremom

Well, grannyg I just realized that I answered your reply with my other name. I started here with "onemoremom" user name, then during the short time that my daughter was home, and using my computer and sometimes my email account, I started another PTO acct with "hopefulmom". I encouraged her to check out PTO, for a variety of reasons, but wanted to keep my posts private. so - really all I did was end up confusing myself. !! I really need to get back to just one name !!! And I think onemoremom is it.. anyway, perhaps you didn't even notice

Not to give anyone any big ole black eyes -- you told on yourself here. I am sending you a pm on the rules, just posting here so others know I caught this and remind everyone -- it is against PTO policy to have two user accounts. This can be easily addressed by contacting the help desk and asking to have the two accounts merged. The admin will be happy to help take care of this. Just let them know which username you would like to keep. Thanks.

lookinforward · #14 12-16-2009, 10:49 PM

GrannyG and all - I apologize for going against the rules. I didn't know there WAS a rule about two accounts. It's been corrected. Thanks GG for helping me unbreak the rule.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyG

Not to give anyone any big ole black eyes -- you told on yourself here. I am sending you a pm on the rules, just posting here so others know I caught this and remind everyone -- it is against PTO policy to have two user accounts. This can be easily addressed by contacting the help desk and asking to have the two accounts merged. The admin will be happy to help take care of this. Just let them know which username you would like to keep. Thanks.

ConnieLynn84 · #15 12-22-2009, 03:51 PM

Last thursday the transfered my man to Coffee Creek. The phone system up there has changed since he was there last. FYI to anyone as confused as me (LoL) When they arrive there, they have 7days to use the phones without submitting a phone list. That gave me enough time to get my phone number changed to a wilsonville num and add funds to my account. My understanding is the numbers they dial in that 1st week automatically goes on their phone list. I'm not for sure though. He of course had to call his mom's phone to get the new num which I paid $15 for that call!!! I can't believe they are allowed to charge that much! He was able to call the day after he arrived only because the 1st day he had no time. They aren't on any kind of black out for 7 days. They have 3 times a day they are out of their cell. Their times vary each day due to rotation of the units. I'm so glad that transition was so easy. Does anyone know how long on average it takes for DOC to approve a phone number? and does anyone know what the deal with submitting new phone numbers is? Did they change it so you can submit a new number at anytime or do they have to wait 30days?

Scott · #16 12-22-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConnieLynn84

...Does anyone know how long on average it takes for DOC to approve a phone number? and does anyone know what the deal with submitting new phone numbers is? Did they change it so you can submit a new number at anytime or do they have to wait 30days?

On average it takes between one and three (1-3) weeks for numbers to be approved. You are currently allowed to submit one number change request sheet, which can include multiple numbers to add or delete, once every 30 days.

The office which handles this has gotten much better in the past couple of years and things, for the most part, run pretty smoothly now - so my experience has been on the shorter end of the wait.

Your friend was moved from County Jail to Coffee Creek Intake? The average stay there now is running about 30 days before transfer to a regular institution - which could be anywhere in the State. Unless I am mis-understanding you (sure could happen...) I don't advise getting a Wilsonville exchange number for such a short time. He'll be moved, or darn close to it by the time everything is set up. Wait until he lands somewhere more permanent and then get a local exchange number for wherever that is. It won't be the Wilsonville area. There are no other prisons close by (Salem being the next area, 40 miles to the south).

Coffee Creek, in Wilsonville, is the woman's prison, and the only men who are there are there briefly for classification and transfer to other institutions.