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stracka2 · #1 06-23-2006, 12:36 PM

Wondering what the daily activities are like for someone who has been there for 15 years - I sent my first letter to her yesterday so I've not heard back yet. I'm assuming she is considered a model inmate, she lives in 510 area - I assume that is her cell block?

What is it like inside - daily routine and all... anyway I can reach out to let her know I'm thinking about her? is the only way to communicate through mail?

Peace to all....

stracka2 · #2 06-23-2006, 07:49 PM

Hi - just wondering where everyone is?

Free Fall · #3 06-25-2006, 02:58 AM

Hi stracka2. I spent almost 2 years in Chowchilla and have been a free person since ’95 and I now live in the UK. I’m going to be very blunt which is my style and many may not like it. I only ran across this site yesterday and I’m really amazed at the wide coverage it gives and must say kudos to the folks behind it.

Tread carefully when it comes to making alliances with people behind bars…many are good people who have just made mistakes or are in there because of dumb laws, but there are those who are just plain bad and don’t have a problem milking you for all they can. If the “friendship” lasts until they are released and you continue or take it a notch higher there may also be the problem of two worlds colliding and because you mention you have never been arrested, you may not be aware of the lifestyles of criminals….If your friend has already been in for 15 years I gather it must have been something major.

To be quite blunt many of them will use you for what they can and will have others as well, so try not to invest your heart, but remain a good soul and write them and be someone on the outside to brighten up their time.

I’m not sure if many especially women, contact prisoners they have never met before because it’s a little different and maybe to them even exciting or if they do it because they know as long as the man is behind bars, they can’t cheat on them or really let them down. From my point of view it’s a losers game and a step backwards in personal growth.

Free Fall · #4 06-25-2006, 03:05 AM

Oh and I forgot to answer your original question, it's the most god damn awful place on earth and from what I hear it's got worse. A lot of the privilidges we had when I was there, no longer exists, but I guess after 15 years she has made peace with herself and has established a routine....I never did I fought it every day which made it worse for me...but that's mainly due to the fact that I knew I should not have been there in the first place.

stracka2 · #5 06-25-2006, 11:26 AM

Hi Freefall,

Thanks for your willingness to open up. Just watched England advance in World Cup Soccer! Goal Beckman!

I think the internet has opened up inmates ability to the outside world - for those who are honest with their intentions this is great for them - being behind bars for 15 years, half your like in this case, is something I don't have a clue as to how on handles day to day life!

Hopefully her intentions are real and I can provide the support to help her in her goals and visions to lead a productive life upon release.

Too bad the conditions have gone down hill at CCWF... Over-crowding seems to me as the issue along with many other rules and regulations that seem to create more tension than help.

Again, thanks for the honest response and good luck in the UK. Go england!!

Free Fall · #6 06-25-2006, 04:30 PM

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! Please don't mention soccer or world cup to me...I don't get it and don't enjoy it. Only thing I like about it is that during the time England is playing another country I know I can run a few errands and the streets will be void of vehicles

.

I wish your new friend well. Is she a lifer and if you don't mind me asking what was your motive in originally contacting her?

Cheers!

stracka2 · #7 06-25-2006, 05:12 PM

Very good question - I ran across an article about women in prison, ended up doing more surfing on the subject and read several profiles on-line. I was pretty over-whelmed and felt a need to do something - this is a new world to me and I'm glad I've taken the steps to help in anyway possible.

Hopefully she has plenty of support and help, if not maybe I can be of help. I guess after reading her profile I felt compelled to help - I know I need to be careful and I know she needs another chance - going in at 15! What happened 15 years ago is so far in the past - and if the state allows this person to get out than she can use all the help from whomever is willing to help.

As for the soccer- the streets will really be empty during the next game! Shops may even be closed!

Might be a good time to visit your little tennis event this week???

faithbest · #8 06-25-2006, 07:56 PM

Hi stracka2. I spent 5 years 7 months and 3 days at CCWF and lived in Housing Unit 510. If she has been down for 15 years she is very settled into a routine. Depending on what her job is her day could go very much like this. To begin with Unit 510 is housing unit that has 4 wings. There is an officers station in the middle and a large day room for people to congregate in and watch TV, play cards or simply talk to each other. The wings have 8 or maybe 10 rooms in them. (I have been out since 2000 and just can't remember) 4 or 5 on each side. The rooms have 4 bunk beds in them and 8 lockers. During prison crowding there will be 8 women in each room. There is a small room with a toilet and another small room with the shower. There are two sinks and a table that is about the size of a card table. Women usually get up between 6 and 7 am. Unit is released to the chow hall for breakfast. She probably walks to the chow hall for breakfast where she is also given a sack lunch. After that Programming begins. She is probably put through Work Exchange where they put you through a medal detector to make sure you are not taking contraband to work. I was in the Joint Venture Program and worked from 8am to app 4pm. The programs are work assignments and are pretty much like any job or school you would go to. Ask her about her job. Most work assignments end between 3 and 4pm. At that time you are processed back through (put through the medal detector and patted down) Work Exchange and you must be back in your room for the 4:30 count. During count you must be in your Room on your assigned bunk and a CO comes around and verifies you are there. This process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours. Usually it is about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. After the unit is released to Chow for dinner. Usually after she can go outside and walk around a "track" on her own yard or sit in the dayroom and be in her room doing whatever is allowed. The unit shuts down at 9pm or 10pm (again I just can't remember) and the lights are turned down in the housing units for sleep. As for contact, you can give her your phone number and she can call you (collect) or you can ask her for a visiting application and fill it out. Once you are approved you can go visit her. I read some of the other posts that you have received. You should be careful this is true, but in my experience the "Lifers" are usually the model inmates unless they are housed in SHU. You will know if she is in trouble because her return address will change to instead of 510 - at the beginning of the housing location it will change to 501. After 15 years of state prison she is probably just lonely and looking for a friend. She may need stamps and envelopes. The jobs in the prison only pay from $7 - $50 a month and she has to pay for hygiene products (shampoo, etc) and anything she may want for snacks (candy bars, etc) If you really feel like you want to do something nice for her, ask her if she has someone that sends her quarterly packages and maybe help send one or send one yourself. But more than anything, just spend sometime writing to her. Be consistent and remember that you may be her only contact to the outside world. It is always nice to get to know someone on paper. Tell her about your family and things you do. Ask her about herself and her hopes. Just be consistent and reach out to her and you may find a new friend that will listen to you and be there for you when you need her. I hope this has helped. This is the first time I have answered anything on this site. Good luck and God Bless..

stracka2 · #9 06-26-2006, 07:42 PM

Thanks Faith - for your first response you did better then ever! I really appreciate the response and advice.

Kind regards and best of luck,

stracka2

Free Fall · #10 06-26-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stracka2

Very good question - I ran across an article about women in prison, ended up doing more surfing on the subject and read several profiles on-line. I was pretty over-whelmed and felt a need to do something - this is a new world to me and I'm glad I've taken the steps to help in anyway possible.

Hopefully she has plenty of support and help, if not maybe I can be of help. I guess after reading her profile I felt compelled to help - I know I need to be careful and I know she needs another chance - going in at 15! What happened 15 years ago is so far in the past - and if the state allows this person to get out than she can use all the help from whomever is willing to help.

As for the soccer- the streets will really be empty during the next game! Shops may even be closed!

Might be a good time to visit your little tennis event this week???

Thanks for sharing that. I ran across the profile of a lady I spent time with at the LA County jail in 1989....I left after a few months but it looks like she got convicted and is now on death row. I'll most likely write her in the next few days. She was the last person you'd expect to find there and had never comitted a crime...I guess there for the grace of whoever go I. I'm not religious at all.

Faiths description of daily life at CIW is accurate...I shudder just thinking about it and have pretty much erased everything. I'm just grateful for all the little things in my life today...reading this forum can actually be quite depressing sometimes, especially when one embarks or a more positive and fulfilling life.

Dylan58 · #11 07-06-2006, 07:20 PM

My girlfriend is a lifer, she has an appeal going on but who knows... I just try to be there for her, and support her in any way i can. It breaks my heart on a daily basis but i am trying not to let things get to me. She copes the best she can but with all the rules and lockdowns and fights well, it is not easy... We do however have our love that keeps us strong and with that, an ounce of hope...

stracka2 · #12 07-10-2006, 11:47 AM

Hi, just returned from a week trip and finally received a letter! The letter is the second one she sent - the first letter I never received.... and the first letter I sent her was returned to me!!! Her letter, the one I received, mentioned she did receive all 3 letters I sent so that is good - hopefully I will receive her first letter...

Well, so much for the communication of the system - my first letter was sent back because the evelope was larger than 10 by 12.... still can't understand why standard evelopes from the post office aren't excepted????

Hope all is well for all of you and if you have any stories about CCFW please keep them coming!!!

cheers!

soukgirl · #13 07-10-2006, 12:51 PM

my man has been locked up in high desert and now in folsom and bein doing time for 12 years. he consider himself getting instutionalized because he already got used to the same routine day after day. when he talk to me he always refering his cell his house and all that layment term he mention. i told him when he get out in 2 more years i will get a bunk bed for him and a metal toilet and even tell him its lights out at 10:00 he laughed and said make sure there are roman noodles in the cupboard. hee hee

stracka2 · #14 07-11-2006, 02:17 PM

hey soukgirl - very funny! i can't even imagine what it would be like to come home, lucky them who have a home to come home too! good ideas on making the home feel the old home. haha! i can see your man telling you to lose the bunk beds after one night! and forget about the other items!!

cheers

CeeV · #15 01-04-2009, 07:20 PM

My friends change from 516-22-3 to 516-6-4

Wolf · #16 01-04-2009, 07:27 PM

Hi CeeV....
I don't know the answer to your question but some one will be by and be able to answer it...
Have a Good Week!!!!

mahkenna · #17 01-04-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi CeeV...... I am sorry your friend is at CCWF. Looks like she is in "D" Yard and had a room change.

516 is the building number, she is now in room 6, bunk 4.

There are a lot of the young lifers in her particular building. She shares the yard with the girls in the "Honor" dorm in building 514.

CeeV · #18 01-06-2009, 03:32 PM

Thanks I sent her another letter today I spoke with visiting at CCWF I am having trouble getting approved because I am in Canada. My status is still pending. She will only be out in 2017 and I will see her through it all the way. She is a good person who made bad decisions.

mahkenna · #19 01-08-2009, 01:30 AM

We hear you Ceev...we all have loved ones who made bad choices. Wish it wasn't so!

Your friend is lucky to have you!

pati · #20 01-18-2009, 05:00 PM

Same house different rooms.

tanyat702 · #21 01-29-2009, 10:37 AM

My mother Teresa is supposedly in CCWF in chowchilla according to her boyfriend. Can anyone tell me what this means, how long it will take her to get mail I sent her and also money I sent through Jpay? I am getting nowhere with the mailroom, counselor, etc....and have been calling every place I can to find out what her charges are and when she gets out, etc....to no avail. They say I have to get the info from the inmate. Well, Teresa is my biological mother and she placed me up for adoption so I dont have alot of info on her and I am sure she does not have mine. That being said, aside for waiting for her to maybe get my letter and await her response, is there anything else I can do to get more info? I just want to know why she's there and when I will hear form her and when she is getting out and how I may be able to help. I live in Las Vegas and dont know alot about this stuff so please help! Thanks in advance.

TT

mahkenna · #22 01-29-2009, 01:47 PM

Hi Tanya, sorry your Bio-Mom is in CCWF. But I am glad you found us at PTO. D'gal has pinged me about your post...hope this helps!

I sponsor several inmates at CCWF, and it is not a bad facility. She is in reception/receiving right now in Chowchilla, in Central California, about 20 minutes above Fresno.

It means building, room, bed Low. Receiving/reception/in take is where she was shipped from county and it is a segregated area of the prison. The 'welcome wagon' so to speak. This is where she will get her medical exams, meet with a counselor, time calculated, and ready to be classified and sent (over the wall) into general population. If she is high profile, dangerous, or has threats against her, she goes to SHU. (Security Housing Unit).

If this is her first time in prison, she will be in reception for approximately 30 days before going over the wall. If she has been in before, she will get classified and sent straight to a yard for housing (unless there is no bed for her due to over crowding) and miss all the fun in reception!

I am assuming you have her CDC# or you would not have been able to Jpay her. The money goes right into their inmate account and YES it shows who sent it. Your mail will reach her too! You may want to send her a few stamps, plain letter sized envelopes, and some plain white writing paper. They get one trip to canteen and if they miss it they are out of luck, the canteen visits are usually once a month while in reception.

Since the state of California is BROKE, the budget cuts have been severe at our prisons. CCWF was really good about handing out welfare packages which included wrting supplies and stamps. I don't know how much of that has been cut due to the state's financial problems. So send what you can, it is better than her borrowing from others.

It is now up to her to write to you. Have her send you a mail restriction packet with all the rules of what you can send her in reception, when she mainlines, you can send her a lot more.

If you want to visit, have her send a visitation form with her signature on the back bottom of the form, (inmates forget to do this). Fill out and send the form back to HER, it takes 30 days to get approved by CDC. And yes you can do reception visits BUT they are on certain weekend days and times only....they keep changing the day so call before you go and confirm which day.

CCWF is not a bad facility. The truth is....inmates make the experience what they want it to be. Don't panic, it is not all that bad. My girls said it is wonderful after even a day in county. Reception is the hardest part, loud and confusing to first timers. But once she mainlines (over the wall) she will have a lot of freedom and privileges.

It gets better for us on the outside. Hopefully she will be home soon. If she is a short timer, she can request the gym. It is (the gym) and is dorm housing with approximately 200 women. They are all short timers and do not want any trouble, they just want to do their time and go home.

Take care and I hope you hear from your mom soon.
London

PS...you may have not gotten far with contacting her counselor because she may not have been assigned one yet.

tanyat702 · #23 01-30-2009, 10:08 AM

Will they give her the $$ I send by Jpay in reception?

Dandylion · #24 01-31-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanyat702

Will they give her the $$ I send by Jpay in reception?

The money is supposed to go directly into her account even while she's in reception.

I've read in 2 different places that they take 44 or 55% for restitution/taxes. I'm not sure how long it takes to be deposited. Anyone else know?

tanyat702 · #25 02-02-2009, 11:18 AM

Hello All,

My mother is at CCWF in chowchilla.

She is still in receiving from what I have found out here on PTO. However, after sending her money, letters, and supplies to write me back.....still no word from her? Can anyone tell me from personal experience or otherwise what it's like there and why I may not be hearing from her? I am pretty sure she would want to be in touch with me....or maybe not! Who knows????

Thanks