Forest

[lftb6514]

Hi
My Mike is in SCI Forest in Marienville. Write and let's compare stories.
LeA

[Littleone604]

My fiance is at SCI Forest,,,,,for 7-14 years!!!!!! Anyone else at forest???

[Littleone604]

Hey my fiance is there to?? are you from philly? do you visit???

[carolyn17603]

hi im carolyn

[carolyn17603]

mine is in sci forest

[Amanduh852003]

My finance is there also. I acutally went up for the first time to visit last weekend. I couldnt get over how friendly the CO's. The way everyone was talking about prison had me scared to even go and see my finance. But Im glad I did. And it was a wonderful visit. I'll be sure to go up more often!

[loveischichi]

I picked up my b/f yesterday from Forest!!!!! I am so happy. good luck to all of you. Forest was alright i guess. We were singled out alot in the visitors room. We were always getting yelled at. I am glad that part of our "journey" is over.I took him to a half way house in Pittsburgh.
Little one, i am pretty sure we met in the "waiting room".. Good luck to you and that darling baby boy.

[Englishrules]

I agree the CO's at the front desk are friendly and helpful. However some of the things that go on in the back are different. They have a louzy counselor that always has a do not disturb sign on her door, even though she is there to help and answer questions (which she never knows the answer to anyway). I have spoke to her personally she is not a people person for being a counselor.

Also my son turned a slip in for medical attention (kidney problems) they took him down two days later. He thought he was there to see the nurse. No he was there to sign a paper stating he missed his sick day. He wasn't even on the list they insisted he was and he proved he wasn't, and they insisted he sign the paper anyway and then the nurse wouldn't even see him that day he had to turn in another sick call.

He was supposed to be released early this September, if his home plan was approved, the home plan was turned into his in house parole officer, whom never even sent it to our city to be scheduled for a home plan inspection. And now it is only 28 days till his supposed release which is obvious isn't going to happen. The irony of it all is that one of the inmates wants to stay in the prison until he maxes out they told him no way you got early release you have to go. Now how ridiculous is that?

[cillax215]

hey.. well yeah my boyfriend is in SCI FOREST... he just got transfered about a month or 2 ago.

[Littleone604]

oh you are soo lucky your man is out!!! I can't wait till that day!! I have heard of people saying that wanted to max out!! How crazy does that sound??? I guess they have their reason but i want my baby home now!!! I can't wait!!
I like forest its just too far for me!! the guards there are soo nice compared to camp hill..they are rude there

[sviglione]

My best friend's been in there for three months now...I've been there three times to visit. I live right outside philly so those of you who are in philly and need rides, let me know. I am trying to plan another trip for december/january timeframe.

If anyone is new to SCI Forest and needs information, feel free to contact me with questions. I feel like a veteran now lol!! The guards have started to call me a VIP.

[sviglione]

Are you serious??? They told the inmate he HAD to leave but won't let your son out on time??? That's f'ing ridiculous!

I've had issues with the guards in the back too as well as the counselor. The problem with this prison is that its so new- they don't have any of the right help on board yet.

[Dovey4]

Hi I could use any and all info my son was transfered from Houtzdale today for hepitatic treatment. Wish I knew more about all this Thanks Gracie

[swilsontobe]

Originally Posted by sviglione

My best friend's been in there for three months now...I've been there three times to visit. I live right outside philly so those of you who are in philly and need rides, let me know. I am trying to plan another trip for december/january timeframe.

If anyone is new to SCI Forest and needs information, feel free to contact me with questions. I feel like a veteran now lol!! The guards have started to call me a VIP.

Hi, I am new to Forest, my fiance was just transeferred there yesterday. I was hoping to get all the info I can about this prison. Please let me know If you have transportation info. I live in Philly. I am a licensed driver, but I'm weary about driving that distance since I've never been there.
Thank you for any info you can provide

[thosewholove]

Planning on visiting a friend at Forest this April... anyone have any "insider" tips on what to do/not do? I'd appreciate all the info you've got! I'm pretty nervous; first time in a prison!

What is the deal with "pre-release" and parole? His minimum will be 2014, but he's elligible for pre in 2013. He's got a job in there, and has never had any write-ups... dare I hope for 5 years instead of 6??

Thanks in Advance!

[thosewholove]

my friend's mom said it's really easy-- I 80 West. She said mapquest works well, and it's not a big city (Marienville), so I would imagine it will be simple to find. His mom said that from the Reading area, it's about 5 hours. Hope this helps!

[thosewholove]

I'm going to see my guy in about 3 weeks...this is the first time we've seen eachother in many years, my first time in a prison (yep, he's in Forest), and I'm just HORRIBLY NERVOUS!!! Can anyone give me some idea of what to expect, what to do/not do...anything I would really appreciate it! I read the handbook online for visits, but it's so gray. I know no sented lotions (drug hand scan), $ needs to be in Susan B Anthony's, no metal (think 4 hooks on the back of a wireless bra will fly??), memorize his DC # and my license plate #, bring ID, I think that's all I know. What's it like going through however they check you in? What about jewelry? I wear a white gold/diamond ring and white gold/diamond hoop earrings (maybe 1'' diameter)--nothing obnoxious or showy. Should I leave this stuff at home or can I wear it? Can I wear perfume?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me!!!

Thanks so much!

[24jf]

I've recently made contact with a gentleman at this facility as part of the 21st Century TEA Party.. In the last letter I received, he mentioned a rather disturbing piece of information to me regarding certain meals at this facility.

Have any of you had your loved ones mention about the facility distributing "meal tickets" for certain meals and if they are lost or misplaced your loved one doesn't eat??

Just curious if anyone else has heard about this and if not maybe it's something you could ask your loved ones at a visit or when you write... There is a part of me that doesn't want to believe that this kind of abuse taking place in the facilities, but in reality I know this is probably a drop in the bucket to what our loved ones probably are forced to endure.

[thosewholove]

My bf has never mentioned meal tickets, and unless they have their name on them, it would be like giving them $$--it would start fights, etc. if someone else wanted more food or was picking on the "new/little guy." By PA law (look up under the policies) they HAVE to feed them. It may not be good, hot, or what they want, but it's food. From what I understand, at Forest there are 3 different "chow halls" to pick from. I will ask about needing tickets to eat though, the next time he calls. They DO need tickets to get ice cream when they are on the yard, if they want ice cream. They purchase these thru commissary, as well as they can purchase lots of other food items. My gut instinct is that this gentleman is trying to scam you for $$. But hey, I could be wrong!

BTW, what is 21st century TEA Party?

I'll email you if my bf tells me something different than what I've told you here.

[24jf]

Thank you and I'd appreciate if you would ask your boyfriend and let me know (by the way this guy is in E-block if that makes a difference). The weird thing is this guy has no reason to lie.. he's not a friend of mine and there is no hopes of getting $$ from me. He is a gentleman I sent a packet of information to regarding the 21st Century Tea Party trying to gain support and to get word spread inside the facilities. Since I've last posted he's copied me on a complaint he sent to the superintendant questioning this policy and the superintendant responded (it is stamped by the superintendant's office.. yeah I just pulled it too double check that he didn't have another inmate write the note on the bottom). The superintendant wrote that it was done to curtail food lose and if the "ticket" is lost the inmate should see the unit manager to get a replacement (I've been told though that the unit manager is there one day a week which presents another problem). He told me his next step was filing a greivance and he would copy me on everything.

I'm upset by these details and would like to write some letters to get the matter resolved, however, I want to make sure I'm being told the truth and don't turn out looking like an a$$.

You can learn more about the 21st century tea party at www.21stcenturyteaparty.us . Our first campaign is a mass mailing set to start off next week sending letters and tea bags to all state and federal legislators demanding prison reform (not just prison but an entire justice system overhaul.. legal representation, sentencing, parole, medical care, etc.). If you have any further questions or are interested in participating feel free to PM me.

Thanks again for the information you provided.. I just wanted to give you all the info I've been told so you could talk specifics when you talk or write your loved one.

[thosewholove]

I asked my bf, and he said you need a ticket for the "good" meals, he gave me examples, but I don't remember what he said. He said that the guards hand them out the day of the meal. As far as how often the unit manager is around, I'm not entirely sure. I do know my bf has spoken to him at times. Dan is on the least restrictive wing, "I". They have their own cell keys, and it's more like a dorm (showers/bathrooms not in their cells).

I also know that they are not allowed to form any groups, etc without approval. "Spreading the word" about your group could get him in A LOT of trouble! As in going to the hole; my bf says the minimum is 90 days. When I asked him to discribe it, he said it's like "adult time out." I agree with you that some of the things in prison are horrible, but let's also remember that some of these guys have raped, murdered, and done a variety of horrid crimes. Because my bf doesn't buck the system, he is on the least restrictive wing, and has more freedom. This guy you're writing to, he is making trouble for himself--the guards will just watch him closer and be more strict.

I have a nosey question, and feel free not to answer... why are you so interested in prison reform, especially if you're not involved with this guy? That said, I am going to look at the tea party website, I'm curious.

[xgot420issuesx]

Whether a person has a loved one in prison or not , they should be interested in prison reform. After all, one day most of the men and women in prison will be released into our communities to live amongst us.
It is appaling to me the way prisoners are treated. And by turmning a deaf ear to it and acting like it doesn't exist, that is just making it worse. People wonder why there are so many repeat offenders, it is simple, these people are warehoused not rehabilitated. People think that living in prison is easy, I hear it all the time, oh these people get 3 meals a day and a place to sleep and they dont have bills or anything to worry about. They get cable TV and they can lift weights and play ball or whatever. That is the nieve way to look at it. You put a person in prison without giving them something productive to do with their time, you are only helping to drive that person insane. A man left to nothing but his mind will surely go insane.
The food alone in the prisons...... most people would not feed their dogs and cats. It is disgusting to say the least. Just last week my husband told me that all week long the food was bad. He said it litterally smelled rotten. And he said what wasn't rotten had the taste and smell of cleaning fluids. The other day he called me right after lunch and he was sick to his stomach, again, because something was not good that he ate.
Before I met my husband, I can honestly say, I was very very conservative in my views of how prisoners should be treated. I felt that they had it just too easy. Oh how wrong I was. I felt the bare minimum was enough for anyone in prison. I was pro death penalty, and did not feel any form of sympathy for criminals.
I have since changed my views. The hell my husband and I have had to live through for the past 19 months is insane. My husband is a very good man who has never once gotten into any form of trouble while incarcerated. He keeps to himself so to avoid any type of situation that would not be good. My husband was a very hard working man who is a wonderful husband and father. He made a mistake, he got a DUI one night. His first may I add, He was fined and sentenced out of guidelines. I have known people who have had 2, 3 and 4 DUIs that didnt get as much time as my husband got. How many people does anyone know who got State prison time for a frist time DUI? The whole damn justice system is completely broken so in turn, so is the prison system.
And you know why, because society thinks it isn't their problem. They think if you just lock people up and build more prisons, the problem will eventually fix itself and that is very nieve and foolish thinking. So many people think it isn't their problem. Well guess what, it is everyones problem. One day, these people will be your nieghbors. I know me personally, i think these people should get the best drug and alcohol treatment possible and the best mental health treatment possible. They should be able to get an education and learn trades. if a person isn't taught anything productive while he is incarcerated, then what do you expect will happen when they are released? They will go back to what it is they do best. And that is probably what got them put in prison in the first place. It is not easy for a person who has been incarcerated, no one wants to hire them. They end up for the most part with shitty jobs or no jobs, nothing that is leagal anyway. And in a way, it is societys fault, for turning their back to the problems that do excist.
I may have rambled which I tend to do when I am passionate about something.
But it is just so nice to hear that there are people out there that honestly do care and want to see the system changed.
It is EVERYONES problem. I bet not many of us ever thought we would have a loved one in prison, I certainly didn't.

[queenielennitt]

Hi, I am Mikki and my fiancee is in SCI Graterford. He has been down almost 20 years.

[talevea]

hey i have a boyfriend in sci forest. im from philly i normally take the van service but there always cancalled. do anyone plan on driving there soon and ill pay for everything there and back.if so please pm me.

[cinamn20]

Hi my hubby is also in sci forest.....He just arrived there and i am sooo sad i live in Lancaster so that's about 4 hours away from me...i have no transportation..so no way of visiting him