2012 SQ Newbie Q&A Thread

[kateyabaker]

hi my husband is in san quintin reception right now and i am just lost, and full of questions does anyone know how to get to san quintin or a good site to go to with maps how to get there also when do they find out like there release date? if you live far away do you get longer visits or if you have kids? please someone help me

[kateyabaker]

anyone know how to get to san quintin

[Eric's Homegirl]

Hi Kateyabaker! Welcome to PTO! We have a site here in the California Forums, called
San Quentin, very imformative lots of good information. Look up "mapquest" on your
computer, enter your address and San Quentin State Prison there you will find the
easiest way to get to San Quentin where ever you are coming from. Your husband will
know when his release date is. If not, you can call R&R and they may be able to tell you. Is he there on a violation or is he going to be doing time? No, your visits are the
same as everyone else's. Reception inmates get 1 hour behind the glass, mainline inmates get contact visits. Your husband needs to send you a visiting form, fill it out,
and send it back to the Visiting Sgt. The process usually takes 3-6 weeks, longer if you
have a criminal background and for what for. Only 3 people are allowed to visit inmates
behind the glass. Contact visits, up to 5 people at one time. The main prison line's #
is 415-454-1460, if the event that you have any questions they will direct you to the
right department. In the meantime check out the San Quentin Forum on the California
site, I am sure that you will find some good advice and answers to alot of your questions. Take care, Suzi

[tinkerpoo]

Hi,

I fly in from Oregon to visit someone on death row twice a month. He is only allowed one-hour non-contact visits. If you happen to visit on a day that is not as busy as most, you may ask for additional time - meaning rather than just the normal hour I may get a an hour and a half. My understanding from talking to several women while waiting is those with the luxury of contact visits are afforded more time on occassion. The people there have all been very wonderful each time I have called, visit, etc.
TK

[oceancove]

Hello, looks like I might be a little late your post was a few months ago, but perhaps you can help me..my son was justsent to san quentin yesterday, do you know anything about reception... or what happens next?

[Q



UOTE=kateyabaker]hi my husband is in san quintin reception right now and i am just lost, and full of questions does anyone know how to get to san quintin or a good site to go to with maps how to get there also when do they find out like there release date? if you live far away do you get longer visits or if you have kids? please someone help me[/quote]

[Kittie]

Hi:

Your son was screened in Receiving and Release. His commitment paperwork is forwarded to Reception Center Records. The paperwork is placed within a Central file and is then forwarded to the Analyst. The Analyst reviews all the paperwork and forwards the file to the counselor. The counselor is supposed to interview the inmate. The inmate is given a release date by the counselor. The counselor then endorses the inmate to a mainline facility. When he arrives at the mainline facility a mainline Analyst reviews the Central file to make sure everything is correct. The file is then forwarded to a counselor. The inmate is taken to classification to make sure he is in the right program. He is then placed in a job or school.

Within the Reception Center paperwork gets misplaced or files aren't audited within the 45-60 day time frame. If your son is in the Reception Center past 46 days I would start calling the Warden's office. If the Warden's office becomes involved Records will start jumping.

Within the Reception Center they are supposed to screen for enemies, medical problems, etc.

I hope this helps?

Originally Posted by oceancove

Hello, looks like I might be a little late your post was a few months ago, but perhaps you can help me..my son was justsent to san quentin yesterday, do you know anything about reception... or what happens next?

[Q



UOTE=kateyabaker]hi my husband is in san quintin reception right now and i am just lost, and full of questions does anyone know how to get to san quintin or a good site to go to with maps how to get there also when do they find out like there release date? if you live far away do you get longer visits or if you have kids? please someone help me

[/quote]

[crstdrvn]

Oceancove,
Kittle pretty much answered your question above, but I wanted to say welcome to PTO!
I too have a son in Prison. I hope you find PTO to be as helpful and supportive as I have through this experience.

In Reception is where they determine exactly where he will be "mainlined" (the prison he will be sent to after Reception to do his time.) As Kitty said above, Reception is where all the screening and paperwork happens and it can be slow. Your son will eventually be given his "out date" in Reception, too. Eventually he will be shipped off via bus to whatever prison they are going to send him to, but he won't know where that is til he arrives there. Once he does arrive there, he can call you (collect) and let you know where he is, address and all.
While in Reception, there are no phone calls. Visits (once you are approved) in Reception are behind glass for one hour, with an appointment. Have him send you a signed visitor's form for you to fill out and send back. It takes time for you to be approved, so send him a letter and have him get going on it and get the form to you. Be completely honest on the form. If you neglect to include something on the form, they will catch it and deny your request for visiting approval. Once approved, they will give him an approval form that he will send you. You take that form with you when you go to visit. That approval will carry over to wherever they send him, and theoretically, you should not have to get approved again.

Send him writing materials and stamps. If you call the mail room at San Quentin (just call the main line and ask for the mail room), they can give you a list of what he is allowed to receive in the mail while he is in Reception.

Mom to Mom, I can guess what you are probably feeling. I encourage you to hang in there, it will all get a little easier..or at least the shock of it all will wear off in time and you will find your equilibrium again somewhere in all of this.

You might try the new forum we have within the California Forums. It is entitled something like "new to the system?" and is up there with the San Quentin and Pelican Bay forums. If you are anything like me, you will have a million questions in the enxt few months, and this would be a good place to start.

[D4C]

Hi welcome to the SQ Forum. Please come in and introduce yourself.

Also please use this thread for any general questions you may have that do not fit in any of the other Q&A threads!


Please try to stay on topic & leave all chit chat in the monthly chat thread.

2011 thread

[sxycali209]

Hello PT Family,

My husband was recently transfered to SQ two months ago. He was in the hole as soon as he got there. I had no idea of the situation before hand and have been trying to find out what happened. Needless to say I finally was able to talk to him on Wednesday. I will be going tomorrow to visit. I hope everything goes well as I will be new to visiting at this prison. Any helpfull advise. I also hope I dont get lost. Googled the address and had gotten three different directions.. Uggg... For the most part Im going in the right direction... Seems difficult once you get off the freeway

[Mrs.Juan143]

Omg I hate to even have to write this but were back at it again, he only lasted 4 days and went right back to county and got sentenced to 480 days in prison just what we needed right!

[Joe2011de]

Newbie, 4th generation San Franciscan, 2nd generation San Quentinan, currently in drug treatment facility in the city...Has anyone had any dealings with getting their merchant mariner document back and the U.S. Coast Guard? Would love to hear from you!

[mnm118]

Hi...Im new to the forum. I was wondering if someone could tell me where the Alpine reception area is? Is in part of Badger unit? And which block would it be part of? Im really confused. Thank you so much in advanced

[sfmar]

hey do you know how to get a counselors number?

[SonsMother]

Originally Posted by HaffnersMom

What does endorsed mean?

That's the term used when the men are assigned to a prison - my understanding is this is good for 90 days.

Doesn't always mean they will actually be transferred there.

[SonsMother]

Originally Posted by sfmar

hey do you know how to get a counselors number?

You can ask the operator or the reception center.

[KidzMom]

Originally Posted by SonsMother

You can ask the operator or the reception center.

What if you do not know who the counselor is - or if they have even been assigned one yet?

Little by little I learn.....

[anonymous_85]

Originally Posted by HaffnersMom

What if you do not know who the counselor is - or if they have even been assigned one yet?

Little by little I learn.....

Maybe you can call and speak to someone in "records"... Just a guess. And tell em you're trying to get in touch with his counselor. Either they will transfer you or tell you the name hopefully

[SonsMother]

Originally Posted by HaffnersMom

What if you do not know who the counselor is - or if they have even been assigned one yet?

Little by little I learn.....

Try the reception center - ask the operator for the extension (you need to do this right around 8am).

[Rlsbby4eva]

Now what?

[KidzMom]

Originally Posted by lorena0617

Now what?

Is he in reception? Or has he been transferred there to do his mainline time? Did he just transfer from county?

[Rlsbby4eva]

Yes he transferred there from Wasco to do his mainline time. Any info such as visiting, how long til I hear from him? Do I have to wait for him to call me to set up phone account? When do I put money in his books? Or a care package? Im new to all this so any info will be great

[KidzMom]

Hello,

I hope this helps:

Before you can visit your loved one needs to send you a SIGNED visitors form. Then you need to fill it out and send it back to be approved. You send it to San Quentin:
Visiting Sergeant
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, CA 94964-002



Information below is from the Visiting Hotline Sticky....

Visiting Hotline scheduled to change without notice~

To schedule an Reception Appointment please call: (415) 455-5022
Condemmned Inmates: (415) 455-5023
Family Visits: (415) 455-5814
Legal Appointments: (415) 455-5112

All Appointments are made on Thurs, Sat and Sun between the hours of 8-10 am.
Same week Appointments: 8-10 am
If you wish to cancel your appointment, please call: (415) 455-5813

If you are visiting Have a safe drive and enjoy your visits~

The information below is from the Visiting Thread...

I believe you have to live 250 miles or more, to qualify for extended visits. If you qualify, you will get 12 hours to visit, spread out on Thur, Sat and Sun. For extended visits, you must write to SQ 30 days before your intended visit date and request the dates that you want to visit. Then, you must call in 2 weeks before the dates that you want to come, to verify that your request was granted.

If you are closer then you can show up on the three visiting days (as long as you are not condemned, reception etc...) and line up for a visit... no appointment necessary. Hopefully some of the others can give you more information on this topic..

You can use J Pay to add money to his account any time. Check the phone call thread/Sticky - for information on the calls - my son is in reception so I have not been able to receive any calls yet -

I have some care package info in my car - I will post the info as soon as I can.
Inmate Package Vendors

Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors.
For more information, please contact any of the currently authorized package vendors listed below.
Approved Inmate Package Vendors for Calendar Year 2011 (Revised 3/24/2011)
Company Name

Contact Information

4U Catalog

4UCatalog@Gmail.com
P.O. box 4051
Vallejo, CA 94590
Ph: (855) 392-2023
Access Securepak

www.californiaqp.com
P. O. Box 50028
Sparks, NV 89435-0028
Ph: (800) 546-6283
Mikes Better Shoes
www.mikesbettershoes.com
1252 Berlin-Haddonfield Road
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Ph: (800) 431-1911
Music by Mail
129 31st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Ph: (718) 369-6982
Packages R Us
www.packagesrus.com
2648 East Workman Ave. #424
West Covina, CA 91791
Ph: (866) 303-7787
Union Supply Direct
www.CaliforniaInmatePackage.com
P.O. Box 7006
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220-7006
Ph: (866) 404-8989
The Vitamin Outlet
Fitness Systems Mfg. Corp.
P.O. Box 2073
Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Ph: (800) 822-9995
Walkenhorst's
https://walkenhorsts.com
1774 Industrial Way
Napa CA 94558
Ph: (800) 660-9255
Yellow Ribbon Online
www.yellowribbononline.com

580 N. Beach Street
Fort Worth, TX 76111
Ph: (866) 959-7426




I am sure some of the other ladies here can fill you in on more of the blanks as I too am new and only have reception experience. When you do visit plese read through the visiting thread. It gives great info on what you can and cannot wear.

If you go to the San Quentin Website you can obtain more information also...
http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Facilities_Locator/SQ.html ( I hope this link works)

[cricket7]

Originally Posted by lorena0617

Yes he transferred there from Wasco to do his mainline time. Any info such as visiting, how long til I hear from him? Do I have to wait for him to call me to set up phone account? When do I put money in his books? Or a care package? Im new to all this so any info will be great

To clarify on mainline visiting: There is no longer visiting three days a week, only Saturday and Sunday plus four holidays a year; Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Years Day and 4th of July.

You will find lots of information on visiting, mail and packages, and phones on each of those forums.

If you have a regular house phone with long distance than you just need to make sure you haven't put any restrictions on collect calls and the calls will go through the first time. If you want to get calls on your cell phone you need to contact GTL and fax in a recent copy of your phone and utility bill to prove your address. It only takes a few days to set it up. Depending on your cell phone company and your established credit with them you may or may not have to pre-pay.

[Rlsbby4eva]

Thank you very much for all the info. How long til I can receive a letter from him? N how long til he can call me? Do they have to go through some kind of orientation before they can call or write?

[KidzMom]

Originally Posted by lorena0617

Thank you very much for all the info. How long til I can receive a letter from him? N how long til he can call me? Do they have to go through some kind of orientation before they can call or write?

Good Question about the orientation...I don't know... I do know that my son sent a letter almost immediately after he was transferred there. I then sent him envelopes, stamps, paper, pens etc. I think they get stamped envelopes to use but I don't know how often or how many...does anyone else know?