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

lethajoiner · #26 11-26-2004, 10:49 PM

I finally was married 11-18-04 at Wende after waiting 4 months for his social security card. I ended up getting his birth certificate, that was the easy part. They were giving me a hard time with that ss card. I finally called cheektowaga and asked them what the hold up was they said the prison waits and sends all the applications at once and they are back logged and understaffed but she asked me my husbands name and see what she could do I swear to you 2 days later that card was at Wende, angels come in different ways. I got the paper and called the "wedding planner" and was married 1 week later.

PRETTYJAY1223 · #27 11-28-2004, 04:38 PM

I WAS WONDEING WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET MARRY IN SING SING CORRECTIONAL. COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME I'M NEW HERE. THANK YOU

amstaffdad · #28 12-21-2004, 01:43 AM

I was married in Clinton Correctional Facility in 1989, and was a great day, except the siren went off in middle of vows for the volunteer fire department, so iI guess my ceremony lasted longer than most! Also I was there when the FRP was revamped and also was part of the reason why lifers now have the right to be married in New York State (was part of the legal research team that filed the initial petition to courts under equal protection of the laws) Apparently zNew York State actually got it that a married lifer with something to look forward to was a better candidate for a quieter prison system than a group of men with nothing to gain or lose.

PhillyGurLL · #29 01-10-2005, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRETTYJAY1223

I WAS WONDEING WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET MARRY IN SING SING CORRECTIONAL. COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME I'M NEW HERE. THANK YOU

My man is at Sing-Sing Correctional and we both wrote the superintendent on December 27th. He had a reply by December 30th. It was approved for us to get a marriage license on February 10th, 2005. I am not sure what happens after that, but I know we have to be married within 60days of 2/10/05. So the first thing you both should do is write the superintendent.

momowatson · #30 01-29-2005, 10:40 AM

Hey All, I got married in Adirondack C.F. in October 2004, all I had to do was send a letter to the Superintendent of the Facility, (my husband also sent one) and then they let my husband know that it was approved. Once approved they sent him a letter that he sent to me stating when the marriage would be held and when to come in to receive the marriage certificated. It was a two-day process, the marriage license on one day and the marriage took place on the next day. It was nice because that was the first time that I saw him twice in one weekend, and then being that I had to stay at a hotel which was close to the facilitiy it made me feel like I was so close to him it completely set my mind at ease. My cousin and I stayed up till about 3 that morning just talking about him and how we were getting married. I was supposed to be at the jail at 9am to get married, the visits started at 7:45 a.m. I didn't wake up unitl like 8:40 am. I had to rush to do my hair, rush to get dressed and my cousin laughed at me the whole time. It was so funny. I couldn't believe that I was late on my wedding day. I ended up not doing my hair the way I wanted to, I got a slight run in my stockings and everything. But being that there were 5 other inmates getting married that day, everything went okay. It ended up being the best day of my 2004. I thank god for that, even though he comes home in 2007, we plan to get remarried on the same date (October 24) in 2010. My message to all getting married in Correctional facilities, If it is in your heart to marry that man, don't let nobody I MEAN NOBODY deter YOUR decision, it is your life to live and your heart to give. That is my motto, my whole family turned their backs on me but you know what through God's grace I am still standing Firm in my decision. I feel that opinions are like a$$holes, everybody got one and everybody is a critic. Love Life and Live it to the fullest.
Peace
Mrs. Watson.

JES_Wifey · #31 02-27-2005, 02:40 PM

I got married at Sullivan CF. It took me 2 tuesday visit to get a date and approval. You have to meet with the counselor. Fill out the marriage certificate application there on the visit floor and the counselor handles the rest. We had a beautiful wedding. All of his immediate family was there. My friend was there and a few of his friends from the inside also came out for a visit. We took tons of pictures. The funny part was I was REALLY nervous and with my luck, that day was the fire alarm testing. So the alarm went off and we had to do the fire drill. I got back to the visit after 15 min and our ceremony started. You dream of a perfect wedding growing up, but when you're standing there with the man of your dreams, all the flowers and cakes and pretty decoration becomes meaningless. We send our love to everyone out there who are married or planning on getting married. It's a ripe thing so don't let it spoil!

PhillyGurLL · #32 02-27-2005, 05:03 PM

I am getting married on April 2nd, 2005 at Sing-Sing C.F.

First he and I wrote a letter to the superintendent expressing why we wanted to get married. We sent both of our letters out the week of christmas. We were both sent a letter on Dec. 30th stating that the town clerk would be at the facility on Feb 11th, 1:00p.m. I had to be checked in and into the visiting room on the 11th of Feb. by 1:00pm. I had to have $40 in cash, a self-addressed legal sized envelope, and two forms of Identification. The envelope was for them to mail me my marriage licesne. They also gave me a paper to fill out where I had to put the names of my two witnesses. I have to mail the paper back to the prison a week before April 2nd. I had to call the revernd and let him know to be there on April 2nd at 9:00a.m. Now I am just waiting for April 2nd. I have to bring $60 cash for the revernd and my marriage license. My mom is going to go with me as a witness and his friend inside the prison is going to be the other witness. We get to have visit after the wedding.

One girl asked what are the benefits of getting married while in prison. Well, in New York after you have been married for 90days you can apply for a trailer visit. My man and I will be married 90days in July and he has a chance for parole in July. If he doesn't parole, his conditional release date is August 30th. So we will not get a trailer visit. Getting married in prison benefits us because it will be too much of a hassle to do it out here. His parents are deceased and my mom is terminally ill. We would have no one to attend or help with a wedding anyway. I'm glad we are getting married like this! We love eachother and that is all that counts!

1. Did you have any counsling
No, not really, they just made sure I knew what his charge was.
2. How long did the whole process take
We sent our first letter off to the superintendent December 23rd and we are getting married April 2nd. So three months. We did have the option to get married as early as Saturday, February 26, so that would of made it two months.

3. Did you have to find your own minister
No, they gave me a list of two that I could call.

4. Were you allowed any flowers or disposable camera
no flowers and no disposable cameras.

5. How many guests were allowed to be there
2, just the two witnesses.

6. What was the process to get the marriage license
show up to visit on the day and time they give you with $40 cash, a self-addressed legal sized envelope and Identification.

7. What were the costs you had to pay
$40 for the marriage license and $60 for the revernd, so total $100

8. What were the two of you allowed to wear
I have to follow the visitation rules and he has to wear his greens.

9. Were you allowed to bring a wedding band in for him or did it have to be mailed and what was the value limit
I better find this one out, but the limit said $150 - for his

bella · #33 02-28-2005, 10:06 AM

Thanks for all the info you guys are posting

rywill · #34 03-04-2005, 07:11 AM

Much to my surprise I have come across a Medium facility that only performs and allows for weddings once a year. Orleans performs marriages with only one day for each couple to be married. It is in May, and all couples must be approved by the beginning of April. I was informed by a couselor at Orleans that many Mediums will migrate to this format. He said that Wyoming is one. I ask when did that become effective for Wyoming because that was not the care in 2003 or 2004. He said at the beginning of this year.

So please be advised that you may need to be sensative to the time of year and facility that your love one is in because that opportunity to get married may only be available for a very short window.

All other items were the same such as:
1. Both parties must write Superintendent a letter.
(Keep it and short, and you really just need to inform them that you are requesting to be married according to directive #4201)
2. They refer to a marriage interview (it disclosed adult offense record and institutional record)
3. Date is given to get license with the town clerk (need driver license and birth certificate; if previously married you may need divorce papers)
4. Date given to get married (in NY you are eligible to may 24 hours after license) but date determined by facility
5. Many facilties only allow for Justice of the Peace to perform ceremony. (call th facility and ask if they allow for any other clergy to perform)

The time frame varies at each faciltity---but from what I have seen, all the above steps can be accomplished within 30-60 days.

BrandNew05 · #35 03-10-2005, 12:49 PM

My honey is at Groveland and we plan on getting married this year. We are sending our letters to the super at his facility this week. I wanted to know if anyone has any information on weddings at Groveland and what their ring limit is? Please help. The process seems to be a short one (under 6 months). All the information that I have read has been very helpful for New York in general, but I would love to have some specifics on Groveland Corr Facility in Livingston County, NY. Thank you in advance for your help!

shawnscutie · #36 03-11-2005, 11:16 AM

Can you tell me where to begin in the marriage process. My man is in Wyoming. Who do i get in touch w/ first. Then after that. How long does it take? Anything you can tell me will help.

Thanks
Melissa

TNC · #37 03-12-2005, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawnscutie

Can you tell me where to begin in the marriage process. My man is in Wyoming. Who do i get in touch w/ first. Then after that. How long does it take? Anything you can tell me will help.

Thanks
Melissa

Much to my surprise I have come across a Medium facility that only performs and allows for weddings once a year. Orleans performs marriages with only one day for each couple to be married. It is in May, and all couples must be approved by the beginning of April. I was informed by a couselor at Orleans that many Mediums will migrate to this format. He said that Wyoming is one. I ask when did that become effective for Wyoming because that was not the care in 2003 or 2004. He said at the beginning of this year.

So please be advised that you may need to be sensative to the time of year and facility that your love one is in because that opportunity to get married may only be available for a very short window.

All other items were the same such as:
1. Both parties must write Superintendent a letter.
(Keep it and short, and you really just need to inform them that you are requesting to be married according to directive #4201)
2. They refer to a marriage interview (it disclosed adult offense record and institutional record)
3. Date is given to get license with the town clerk (need driver license and birth certificate; if previously married you may need divorce papers)
4. Date given to get married (in NY you are eligible to may 24 hours after license) but date determined by facility
5. Many facilties only allow for Justice of the Peace to perform ceremony. (call th facility and ask if they allow for any other clergy to perform)

The time frame varies at each faciltity---but from what I have seen, all the above steps can be accomplished within 30-60 days.

TNC · #38 03-12-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandNew05

My honey is at Groveland and we plan on getting married this year. We are sending our letters to the super at his facility this week. I wanted to know if anyone has any information on weddings at Groveland and what their ring limit is? Please help. The process seems to be a short one (under 6 months). All the information that I have read has been very helpful for New York in general, but I would love to have some specifics on Groveland Corr Facility in Livingston County, NY. Thank you in advance for your help!

It doesnt seem at this time we have any specific information on Groveland. I hope that as you go through this with this specific prison you will post here for others in the future

Manzanita · #39 03-12-2005, 09:03 AM

Brandnew05
Each prison has different rules on how much to spend on the ring, but I know it has to be a plain band and under $100. We spent $70...I would call Groveland and ask them. My husband told me what I could spend on jewelry. Maybe someone in NY can tell you if they were actually married at this Prison. ladycalista68 is a member who goes to this prison. Maybe she can tell you. Yet, the rules posted which it seems you have read already -are basically the same for all prisons and it can take from 3 months to 6 months for the whole process.

PowandVonne · #40 03-12-2005, 10:50 AM

I got married at Cape Vincent Correctional Facility Nov. 18th, 2004. Pow and I both had to write a letter to the superintendent requesting permission. Then I got a letter from his counselor letting me know the steps. I went up the day before we got married, and met with his counselor one on one. She went over this file with me, his sentence, crime, tickets etc. She then gave me his part of the marriage application he filled out, and took it to the town clerk for me to fill out the rest. Then I had to go BACK to the facility later that afternoon where the Town Clerk came and brought the marriage liscence for him and I both to sign. Then I had to go back the next day to get married, because we have to wait atleast 24 hrs to get married after the license is issued. I wore a white wedding dress that was a halter, and I had a white balero jacket, it was really really nice. He wore a nice white coogi sweater and of course his greens. His counselor pissed me off though because she told me I could bring something for him to wear for the ceremony, but I just have to take it with me when I leave. She called me 2 weeks before and told me that I couldnt, so that pissed me off. The Town Justice married us, and he was really, really nice. He stalled the ceremony a bit so my baby and I could have some time together, because after we get married, we dont have much time together. We only had 30 min together after the ceremony, and my husband had purchased 6 pictures. I mean we had to make the best of a bad situation. Thats why we are determined to renew our vows with a big wedding once he is released.

Mrs. JV · #41 03-12-2005, 10:55 AM

1. Did you have any counsling

Yes, we requested pre-marital counseling with the prison chaiplan, which we both enjoyed and felt we benefitted from. We also had several meetings with the pastor we choose to marry us, so that we could get to know him, and him us, as well as plan the ceremony.

2. How long did the whole process take

We weren't in a rush so we took our time. We wanted to have pre-marital counseling first, and we wanted to be married on a specific date. we started planning about 6-9 months before, but again I stress, it was our choice to take this much time.

3. Did you have to find your own minister

We wanted to bring in our own choise of a pastor because we wanted to have someone of our own beliefs marry us. We also wanted time to develop a relationship with the pastor who married us. We did not want to be married by a "stranger".

4. Were you allowed any flowers or disposable camera

I wore a flower in my hair; other then that, no.

5. How many guests were allowed to be there

Two witnesses allowed.

6. What was the process to get the marriage license

We met with the "marriage lady" at the prison who handled all the paperwork.

7. What were the costs you had to pay

We paid for the licence and we choose to pay the pastor as well. I do not remember the exact amounts though, sorry!

8. What were the two of you allowed to wear

I wore a white dress and he wore a white dress shirt with a black tie. (and his green pants).

9. Were you allowed to bring a wedding band in for him or did it have to be mailed and what was the value limit

I brought his band and the reciept in on the day of the wedding. We were allowed to spend up to $150 on his wedding band. My husbands is not a totally plain band, it just couldn't have any stones or protusions. But his was allowed to have engraving and to be two-toned (white and yellow gold). The shape of it kinda looks like three rings together (does that makes sense?). The two outer "rings" are yellow gold and the middle one is white gold.

PhillyGurLL · #42 03-18-2005, 06:35 AM

Sing-Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York allows his wedding band to be up to $150.00.

Vlfl · #43 03-22-2005, 01:20 PM

Has anyone been married at upstate in malone?

jabbasgirl33 · #44 03-23-2005, 01:26 AM

I'm getting married at Auburn CF on April 16 anyone have any information on what my Big Day! will be like.Will i be able to bring his ring with me or do i have to mail it ahead of time? Thank's for any help that anyone can give me.

Manzanita · #45 03-24-2005, 09:54 PM

Jabbasgirl,

you have to bring the ring BEFORE hand, and he will have it there the day you get married. Bring the receipt for the ring too!

Congrats and Best to you girlie

Cruz'Girl · #46 05-12-2005, 05:08 PM

Cruz'Girl · #47 05-12-2005, 05:10 PM

Has anyone ever gotten married at Collins Correctional? Any info would really help.. They seem really nice but looks are deceiving

Manzanita · #48 05-25-2005, 05:28 AM

if you read above you will see collins info.

BrandNew05 · #49 05-25-2005, 08:37 PM

Saturday, June 25, 2005 is the day that I will marry my sweetheart.

I would like to thank everyone for all the helpful information posted. The experience was pretty much what everyone eles had to go through. During the process I found out that this is Groveland Annex first marriage in three years and after reading the info on PTO it seems you ladies know more than the people who work at the facility.

Anyways...we sent our letters the week of March 13, had our interview on May 19 where they went over his "rap sheet" and we signed the license. We were able to pick our own date and time as long as it was during regular visiting hours and we gave a two week notice. We were also able to pick our own offiant. I have decided to wear a gown, but not white, and I purchased him a shirt and shoes to wear with his lovely green pants. The only thing we're waiting to find out now is where in the facility the ceremony is going to be held. There were a couple of options, we suggested out in the yard of the visiting area, but I guess the actual location will be determined by the facility. We are allowed two witnesses ( we decided on our best friends) and I can bring the rings in the the day of the ceremony with the receipt. The ring limit is $150.00 and we all know (no stones or protusions-any thing sticking out from the ring).

So in all the process was painless and the staff at the facility are very kind, they may not have all the answers, but at least they are pleasent to talk to. The hardess part of it all is waiting for the actually "DAY" to come. I love my baby so much and all of this has brought us closer together. We always try to keep God first and when we don't have the answer we pray about it and it all becomes clear. I thank God for this man at least four to five times a day. This process has only taken about three months, but this relationship is 8+ years in the making and only getting better.
Thank You!

capricorn29 · #50 06-03-2005, 04:44 PM

Anyone know about marriages in Barehill Correctional? I am planning to ask my man and father of my 3 adorable kids of 12 yrs to marry me and I wanna make sure I know as much as possible before I really decide to actually get on with it. it's actually a surprise and he has no idea so if anyone knows please let me know.