I was in Pinckneyville for 6 years if anyone wants "insider information"

[KENNNNNNY]

i will try and answer any questions you may have about pinckneyville

[Mz. Lala]

I had some questions about Pinckneyville. My baby just got there 6/3/10. How long does it take to be able to make phone calls and have visits? When you visit, you get to sit at a table with each other or behind glass? And does anyone know of good public transportation ideas and also hotels nearby in case I want to stay and visit again the next day?

[jiggysgirl]

Well hello mz lala...My man is in pickneyville right now. It should only take a couple weeks to update his visitors list. And as long as you have a phone account already set up..it should just be a matter of a week. Depending on if they have to re-approve his list, that can take up too 30 days. (and they are not very quick about anything) ohhhh and mail..if you write..their mail takes about 2-3 weeks to recieve, they are understaffed in the mail room. They have a large visiting room where you visit at tables as long as he is not in seg. If he is seg. its behind glass. I was just down there about a month ago. They have a super 8 practically a block away. Guards seemed very nice. Depending on where your located ...maybe we can car pool. I would like to go again soon. good luck to ya...
G
P.S. no real public transportation. Amtrack goes to duquion which is about 30 mins away..then you have to take a taxi from duquion to pickneyville. $15 each way. Don't know where you are but..a van goes outta chicago one sunday a month and this guy charges $70.00 round trip.

[Mz. Lala]

Originally Posted by regina9363

Well hello mz lala...My man is in pickneyville right now. It should only take a couple weeks to update his visitors list. And as long as you have a phone account already set up..it should just be a matter of a week. Depending on if they have to re-approve his list, that can take up too 30 days. (and they are not very quick about anything) ohhhh and mail..if you write..their mail takes about 2-3 weeks to recieve, they are understaffed in the mail room. They have a large visiting room where you visit at tables as long as he is not in seg. If he is seg. its behind glass. I was just down there about a month ago. They have a super 8 practically a block away. Guards seemed very nice. Depending on where your located ...maybe we can car pool. I would like to go again soon. good luck to ya...
G
P.S. no real public transportation. Amtrack goes to duquion which is about 30 mins away..then you have to take a taxi from duquion to pickneyville. $15 each way. Don't know where you are but..a van goes outta chicago one sunday a month and this guy charges $70.00 round trip.

Well thank you, Regina. That was helpful. I'm exploring options right now. I heard about amtrak going to duquoin. It seems most convenient to stay in pinckneyville at that motel across the street but I read that there are no restaurants nearby so I could not eat if I stay there and take amtrak! So I don't know. I could stay in duquoin I guess. But the reviews for the super 8 out there are very awful. so I'm still contemplating. I haven't decided yet how to do it. But if you go, you are not staying overnight, are you?
But there is not a phone account set up b/c when he was in stateville, they did not end up following through with putting me on the list! So I guess we have to start from scratch. But, yeah, good to know about the mail. In his letter today, he is already telling me that he hasn't gotten any letters! So I see they are slow but I am going to write him now to tell him how slow! But anyways I am in Chicago. How long are visits?

[jiggysgirl]

Originally Posted by Mz. Lala

Well thank you, Regina. That was helpful. I'm exploring options right now. I heard about amtrak going to duquoin. It seems most convenient to stay in pinckneyville at that motel across the street but I read that there are no restaurants nearby so I could not eat if I stay there and take amtrak! So I don't know. I could stay in duquoin I guess. But the reviews for the super 8 out there are very awful. so I'm still contemplating. I haven't decided yet how to do it. But if you go, you are not staying overnight, are you?
But there is not a phone account set up b/c when he was in stateville, they did not end up following through with putting me on the list! So I guess we have to start from scratch. But, yeah, good to know about the mail. In his letter today, he is already telling me that he hasn't gotten any letters! So I see they are slow but I am going to write him now to tell him how slow! But anyways I am in Chicago. How long are visits?

Hey Mz,
Last time i went down there i drove down. Took only 5.5 hours. Not too bad. The visits are 4 hours long but my man said NEVER come on the weekend. It gets really busy and if they have ppl waiting to get in ..the guards will cut your visit short so the others can get in. The weekdays are way better. It was just me and him for over and hour...nice and quiet
My man actually asked me to stay overnight when i come back down. He said we could visit on one day and i could come back the next morning. Anyways. if you want to split the costs we could drive down one of these days and that way we are not down there carless. Just a thought. If you want you can email me <Email removed as per PTO policy - Please PM Member instead> i check that more often than i am on here. Anyways...talk to you soon.
G

[Mz. Lala]

Originally Posted by regina9363

Hey Mz,
Last time i went down there i drove down. Took only 5.5 hours. Not too bad. The visits are 4 hours long but my man said NEVER come on the weekend. It gets really busy and if they have ppl waiting to get in ..the guards will cut your visit short so the others can get in. The weekdays are way better. It was just me and him for over and hour...nice and quiet
My man actually asked me to stay overnight when i come back down. He said we could visit on one day and i could come back the next morning. Anyways. if you want to split the costs we could drive down one of these days and that way we are not down there carless. Just a thought. If you want you can email me <Email removed as per PTO policy - Please PM Member instead> i check that more often than i am on here. Anyways...talk to you soon.
G

ut

Thanks Regina. Yeah. Still trying to figure it out. But I finally got a call from my man. He did say that maybe I should not visit on the weekends. Also, he's gotten no mail since he left Cook County Jail except for magazines- but no letters. He was in Stateville for 3 weeks and now Pinckneyville for about 2.5 weeks and has not received one letter and I've sent about 4! But anyways, I'll think about carpooling. Thanks for offering. I just still don't even have the details down yet about how or when I want to do this. So I'll let you know. Are you in Chicago?

[jiggysgirl]

Originally Posted by Mz. Lala

ut

Thanks Regina. Yeah. Still trying to figure it out. But I finally got a call from my man. He did say that maybe I should not visit on the weekends. Also, he's gotten no mail since he left Cook County Jail except for magazines- but no letters. He was in Stateville for 3 weeks and now Pinckneyville for about 2.5 weeks and has not received one letter and I've sent about 4! But anyways, I'll think about carpooling. Thanks for offering. I just still don't even have the details down yet about how or when I want to do this. So I'll let you know. Are you in Chicago?

Hey Mzlala,
I'll let you in on a little secret. To get mail through to your man faster, write your letter and mail it in one of those big manella envelopes. My man told me to do that and when i tried it he got my letter in 4 days and has ever since ..but if i send anything in a regular envelope...takes a good 3 weeks. Manella evelopes are considered priority.
And i'm in Huntley. Im in the Mchenry area. close to I-90 and RT 47.
Have a good one and Keep in touch
G

[Mz. Lala]

THANK YOU so much for that advice. He will be so happy to hear that too. Actually, he just told me (b/c I asked if they get mail on weekends) that "packages" are delivered on weekends but not mail. And I was like "packages"! WTF? What kind of "packages" are we talking about? So, I thought it sounded weird. But that makes sense now that your manilla envelopes are making it through. Because he is getting all the mags. I send right away too. That is the silliest thing I've ever heard though. But THANK YOU so much. That will make things SO much easier and he will be really happy to hear this.

By the way, about prison visiting attire. I keep reading that you cannot wear anything low cut. But, what the hell does that mean? Most of my shirts are like a scoop neck or v neck or something. I mean I don't have anything hanging out but I do not have any shirts that go all the way up to my neck! I'm assuming already that we can't wear camisoles or halter tops but what the hell do they consider low cut? And can you bring anything while visiting? Can I bring a little makeup bag to touch up during the visit? Let me know when you have the chance. Thanks!

[jiggysgirl]

ok for visits..by low cut they mean that you can't have any cleavage showing whatsoever. Thats it. No shorts that are TOO short. they have to be longer shorts. You can wear jewelry but only 1 ring , 1 necklace, and 1 hairclip. they check your shoes and your mouth and do a pat down. You can bring things of your own personal but they are put in a locker when you are called in for the patdown. The guards are pretty nice. Oh and that locker ..its very small..about the size of a bowling ally locker, if that. Also ..watch what you wear..nothing metal that will set off the detector, like a metal belt . Hope that helps...any other questions..feel free to ask =)

[missingmyboodre]

my man is in pc have any of you guys ever driven there? I'm from chicago just wondering how bad the drive is. I looked it up and it said five hours that sounds almost not worth it for a two hour visit

[jiggysgirl]

PC??? if your referring to Pinckneyville, it takes about 5.5 Hours to get there and the visits are 4 hours long.

[Mz. Lala]

Regina
I wanted to let you know that I just decided to go by train this time. It just worked out better for me that way this time. So this will be my first visit and I'm going this weekend for the long weekend! I'm so excited. You know, my man says that he asked around and that Sun is considered a good visit day b/c everyone has work the next day so not that many people come. But this Sun I don't know b/c I think most people have off Mon for the 4th. Do you think a lot of people would come on this Sun? Maybe I should go Mon/Tue instead of Sun/Mon like I was thinking. I'm staying at the Fairgrounds Inn-- I guess it used to be a Best Western. The Super 8 in Duquoin got really bad reviews online. It sounds like a shithole. I don't know. But the Fairgrounds Inn in Duquoin got real good reviews- a little more expensive though. But I'll let you know how the visit goes! Enjoy your 4th!

[jiggysgirl]

Hey Mz
Thats great that your going down for your first visit. Due to the holiday i think it will probably be busy. Most people go for visits on the holidays. There is a super 8 that is one block away from the prison in Pinckneyville. If you want to check that one out..you could have the cab drop you off there for the weekend. You would just have to walk down to the prison. But again..its only about a block. Would probably be cheaper. Then you could visit your man again the next day without paying for a cab to come back and getcha. Good luck to you. Hope all goes well. Let me know.
G

[Mz. Lala]

Hey Regina-
Do you still want to try going down there together. Sorry I really don't know how to PM unless someone else PMs me and I reply. But let me know if you want to give it a shot.

[mrs.dottiec]

Originally Posted by KENNNNNNY

i will try and answer any questions you may have about pinckneyville

What is it like for the inmates? my husband is there and me and our kids need to know.

[ILoveMyInm8]

My guy told me the same thing, but it doesn't seem to get my letters & cards to him any faster. Maybe it's cuz I live in a small town in Arizona and our out-of-town/state mail is sent to Nevada to be sorted and sent on its way (which means my mail has a Las Vegas postmark on it). Could it be that my mail is deemed "lower priority" because it's not coming from within Illinois? And do I always have to use those manilla envelopes that are approx. 12" x 14", or can I use the smaller ones, that are approx. 6.5" x 10"? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[vani22]

Originally Posted by KENNNNNNY

i will try and answer any questions you may have about pinckneyville

My husband is located in Pinckneyville. Im taking my first trip down there next week by amtrak and want to know what i can bring with me and what not to bring???? Also I will be bringing out son and daughter do I need to bring there birth certificates????

[vani22]

can you help me with my first visit there i have a few questions

[MrsAlejos1990]

yes you do need birth certificates for the kids and a school id would help i believe they have lockers for your phone and purse

[vani22]

does anyone want to share a ride to Pinckneyville from Chicago????

[MiniMoose]

Disclaimer:

Prison Talk Online cannot accept responsibility for rideshare or carpool arrangements made between members.

Members are advised that they make these arrangements at their own risk and in no way can PTO be held accountable for any problems that arise.
________________________________________________

We would like to encourage our members to consider the following precautions when entering into a carpool/rideshare agreement with another member.

• Before agreeing to carpool, certain issues should be discussed and decisions made. Issues that should be settled immediately include members’ feelings about the radio, conversation, smoking habits and eating.

• You should also find out whether the vehicle, personal possessions, or clothing of either passengers or driver will contain illegal substances or contraband. This is a very important issue and should be addressed with your fellow travellers. Prisons routinely search vehicles and you should be aware if there is a possibility of something being discovered and action taken. Most states do not allow firearms, cameras or alcohol on prison grounds - do your research, find out what is the local policy.

• Agree in advance on reimbursement for driving expenses, meals, toll roads, parking fees and so on. Agree on a way of payment and a timescale for payment to happen.

• If you don’t know your carpooling buddies, feel free to ask them about their driving record. Make sure they have a valid drivers licence.

• Make your pick-up point a public location until you thoroughly trust the other individual.

• Use common sense and trust your instincts; with a little preparation carpooling can be very rewarding and often leads to long lasting friendships.

Finally, have a safe journey and enjoy your visits.

Happy Trails!!!

[vani22]

is there a phone service that can help you save on inmate calls????

[MzChris]

How often do you go visit, and how long are your drives i see your close to chicago il, im about 2hrs south of chicago!?

[toddsgirl1314]

Originally Posted by MzChris

How often do you go visit, and how long are your drives i see your close to chicago il, im about 2hrs south of chicago!?

I am about 20 mins south of Joliet, I would like this answer too...I'm thinking about 5 hours.

[MiniMoose]

According to Mapquest, it's 5.5 hours from Joliet to Pinkneyville:

http://www.mapquest.com/#db0dc0ebc94c52acb7ec6243