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

**bobble60** · #1 06-30-2009, 07:43 PM

The Prison Society was founded in 1787 by the civic leaders of Philadelphia, including Benjamin Franklin. They formed as an agency that would help alleviate the suffering of those in the old Walnut Street Jail.

Today, the Prison Society has four main functions: direct assistance to inmates, family services, re-entry services and policy/education. A law passed in 1821 grants the 450 Prison Society Official Visitors the authority to enter any state or county jail and meet with an inmate. no other state has such a program.

Support to families includes transportation, virtual visits, a family resource center at GFRD, and SKIP (Support to Kids with Incarcerated Parents.) Re-entry services include life skills training, resume writing, etc.

The Prison Society also works to be the voice of reason with legislators and the public.

The Prison Society's website is www.prisonsociety.org.

DirronesWife · #2 11-06-2009, 02:33 AM

I havent had any luck with the pa prison society. I contacted them about 2 weeks ago and they have yet to get back to me. I have left an email and a voicemail in reference to the van service (which they dont even have the 2009 schedule posted) and the virtual visit. I have contacted them a few times in the past to have NEVER received an email or call back. So what do I do now?

**bobble60** · #3 11-08-2009, 08:38 AM

There was a period in which we didn't have bus service due to contract problems. The last time I checked, there was a schedule posted again.

I can't explain the problem with getting replies to calls or e-mails ... I only go to the office for Board Meetings every month or two. If you don't hear back from then soon, PM me with your info and I'll make a call.

keekeeyc · #4 12-22-2009, 05:28 PM

I usually have a hard time getting in touch with them as well. I contacted them back on August 31st in reference to travelling on September 14th. They didn't contact me back until October 5th telling me about travelling November 7th! I was highly upset and disappointed. It's really hard trying to find affordable and reliable transportation to the prisons, and unfortunately, PA Prison Society makes the process disappointing and aggravating. I've given up on them.

msonlydabest · #5 12-23-2009, 04:57 PM

I am always able to get in touch with the person in touch of the van. Usually I email her and she responds within 24-72hrs. The bus does get packed pretty quickly many times she will let me know that there is a waiting list and that she will get back to me if the seats is available.

**bobble60** · #6 12-24-2009, 09:20 PM

As I said, there was a period where we could not offer bus service. That matter was resolved and service is now back and expanded. We're sorry it happened. It's not our intention to be disappointing or aggravating.

Please bear in mind that we are a non-profit organization and we do our best with what we have. Sometimes, we have no choice but to suspend programs until the funding becomes available. When the Commonwealth didn't have a budget, we weren't being reimbursed for many of the programs we provide under contract. We managed to keep almost everything afloat through the generosity of our members and some very skillful fiscal managment.

JBoogiesLady · #7 02-05-2010, 12:04 PM

I think the programs the Prison Society offer are very beneficial to inmates and families of inmates. Is there a bus/van that goes from Philly to SCI Rockview? If so, how do we go about scheduling and paying for a seat? Hopefully we can arrange a time when the kids can attend given their school schedule.
Thanks so much for your help.

**bobble60** · #8 02-05-2010, 05:45 PM

We offer bus service to all the prisons (except Chester) from Philadelphia. You can call 215-564-4775, ext. 119, or go to busing@prisonsociety.org. All prisons are twice a month, except Albion. The cost is $25 per person and you must make reservations.

**bobble60** · #9 03-15-2010, 02:55 PM

We sent this Memorial to the entire Legislature and the main media today. It is our "petition" to the Legislature to address the overcrowding through measures other than adding beds.

missy215 · #10 06-23-2010, 11:43 PM

I know that as of rite now they only allow walk ins for bus tickets because they dont have any1 to answer phones/emails etc. I found this out the hard way 2 days ago. I had to go down there after calling, emailing and all. They told me the rockview/houtzdale bus was full and the 1 for august is almost 3/4 full so u need to get tix waaaay in advance.

**bobble60** · #11 01-05-2011, 05:15 PM

This is our report from our Official Visit to Green Rock (VA) in August.

sucker4mylove · #12 01-13-2011, 05:22 PM

thanks for posting this, bobble. it is quite depressing. "not punitive" indeed. has anyone outside the Prison Society even bothered to say they cared?

**bobble60** · #13 01-16-2011, 08:16 PM

Well, I'm not sure who we're talking about. Virginia doesn't have an organization like our Prison Society, and these are our men, not Virginia's. We now have an Official Visitor there, so he can handle issues as they arise.

I'm sure the families of the men there are concerned. We're already thinking of our next visit, too.

rob3rtzGrl05 · #14 01-31-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msonlydabest

I am always able to get in touch with the person in touch of the van. Usually I email her and she responds within 24-72hrs. The bus does get packed pretty quickly many times she will let me know that there is a waiting list and that she will get back to me if the seats is available.

Does the bus only run certain places?

**bobble60** · #15 02-06-2011, 07:13 AM

Our vans run to every state prison in PA except Chester and GFRD.

rob3rtzGrl05 · #16 02-07-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobble60

Our vans run to every state prison in PA except Chester and GFRD.

is there a site with a schedule?

**bobble60** · #17 02-13-2011, 10:38 AM

We have not posted a 2011 schedule yet. Call the office and they'll give you the dates.

missingaugust27 · #18 02-13-2011, 10:24 PM

Hi bobble60 my bf is in green rock and I was reading the report ub posted about ur visit to green rock. I can personally say the phone situation is beyond crazy. Its 11 dollars a call! I did what u stated and got a cell phone from verizon and aDded it to his list. He was able to call once and then VA DOC blocked it stating I have to prove I live in VA. Eventho gtl said my line was gd. Its crazy how they are doing things down there. I just came back from a visit and that's crazy to. U can't hold hands like in PAb they say 1 kiss before and ater a visit but they harp on u when u kiss. And for the pictures they make u stand far away but u can hold hands. Huh the pictures look dumb considering u can barely tell u taking them togather. This is so crazy that PA would do this to our guys. My guy put in a transfer to come back to PA and VA tells him they aint accepting transfers. Huh he can barely see his family due to the distance he can't talk to them. Who can afford 11 dollars a call? Who can I write to fix these problems or to send our men home!!!!!!!!!!

**bobble60** · #19 02-19-2011, 07:43 AM

Well, there's some good news. An article that ran in a few newspapers fro the western part of PA states that PA is planning to bring back one half of the out-of-state prisoners this summer. It does NOT explain which half, and it's hard to figure out how this can be done without reneging on either one or both contracts.

VA just did a quarterly transfer; another one should occur in April and he should apply.

Thanks for the heads-up about the phone problem. I'll raise this at our next Policy Committee meeting and see what steps we can take.

missingaugust27 · #20 02-19-2011, 10:04 AM

Thank bobble. I read yesterday inmates from Michigan will be returning by summer. ill tell him about applying for a transfer again. He said its so cold there he has to wear layers of clothes and they complain about that. Ugh I just can't wait to they bring them all home. If they can't follow PA rules they shouldn't house PA inmates. He said he was there when the prison society came and he spoke to you guys. I hope we can fix the phone problem his mom and dad is sick and they can't afford to talk to him its sad.

missingaugust27 · #21 02-19-2011, 10:04 AM

Thank bobble. I read yesterday inmates from Michigan will be returning by summer. ill tell him about applying for a transfer again. He said its so cold there he has to wear layers of clothes and they complain about that. Ugh I just can't wait to they bring them all home. If they can't follow PA rules they shouldn't house PA inmates. He said he was there when the prison society came and he spoke to you guys. I hope we can fix the phone problem his mom and dad is sick and they can't afford to talk to him its sad. Sincerly thanks for responding

**bobble60** · #22 02-20-2011, 07:46 AM

I ran this past my two colleagues from the Official Visit and one suggested that it may not be the phone, but a change in his status. In PA, for example, if an inmate is scheduled to be transferred, they often block their phone account. Any chance something is happening?

missingaugust27 · #23 02-20-2011, 12:27 PM

No because he can call me house phone just fine. I talked to the people from VA doc. They said I needed to prove I live in VA even though gtl approved my cell number. He asked for a transfer after he realized that they wouldn't honor there agreement for cell phones. Because he can't have no contact with his family or friends.

missingaugust27 · #24 02-20-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missingaugust27

No because he can call me house phone just fine. I talked to the people from VA doc. They said I needed to prove I live in VA even though gtl approved my cell number. He asked for a transfer after he realized that they wouldn't honor there agreement for cell phones. Because he can't have no contact with his family or friends.

Which they even denied his transfer request

missingaugust27 · #25 02-20-2011, 12:30 PM

Also is there any vans that transport to GROC? From prison society.