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

Synti · #1 04-11-2012, 11:11 AM

I tried to search this kind of threads but maybe I'm blind or too tired but I didn't find - please guide me if there is another one already!

But how many of us is in relationship with inmate from USA and living in another country than USA? How is that working? How long you have been together? What about visiting?

I'm from Finland and I have got a man in Texas - we are planning the first visit when I'll get the money but that is not little amount of $... even the flights costs over 600€ (~$780) so I really need much money for that! But I'm doing it when I'm afford..

But I would like to hear your experiences and stories about everything and find people who are in same situation with us

lexi12 · #2 04-11-2012, 11:42 AM

I am from Switzerland and he's incarcerated in Pennsylvania. We have been together now for almost 2 years and are engaged since christmas 2011. It is very hard but I try to visit him 2-3 times each year. Unfortunately it is not very cheap (flight and hotel) but it's worth it in every way. I write him every day, we talk together 3 times a week and on the other days he calls me and hangs up (to save money) when I picked up the phone and said my hello...only to let me know that everything is fine with him and to tell me that he's thinking of me.

It is a very rough road, but I know I am strong enough and it's worth to wait for him. Love can build bridges between the ocean and these prison walls...in our hearts there is no distance between us.

mallafri · #3 04-11-2012, 11:49 AM

Here's a link to a thread about where us MWI's are from:

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=528800

As you can see, most are from the US but we're a few from Europe as well. I'm from Sweden so not so far from you!

I try to go four to five times a year, but yeah, it's very expensive, especially the flights and rental car.

My BF and I have been a couple for about a year and a half, we got engaged on new year's eve last year and are planning to get married this year.

It's hard sometimes, especially not being able to visit as much but you make it work. And I'm planning to move over as soon as I get a green card!

My BF's in Oklahoma right now but hoping to move to Texas next year! Where in Texas is your BF? It's a beautiful state, I'm sure you'll enjoy it once you end up going.

Ellerie · #4 04-11-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synti

I tried to search this kind of threads but maybe I'm blind or too tired but I didn't find - please guide me if there is another one already!

But how many of us is in relationship with inmate from USA and living in another country than USA? How is that working? How long you have been together? What about visiting?

I'm from Finland and I have got a man in Texas - we are planning the first visit when I'll get the money but that is not little amount of $... even the flights costs over 600€ (~$780) so I really need much money for that! But I'm doing it when I'm afford..

But I would like to hear your experiences and stories about everything and find people who are in same situation with us

Hey! I'm from Belgium and really very new in this but have been able to gather some info so far

My man is in Yuma - Cocopah Unit (Phoenix Area).
We plan the visit very soon too but still so much to do!! And like you say.. it is really expensive.. luckily I have some USA friends living area Phx too when I can stay while being there.. makes that I can stay a much longer period while savings costs on hotels..

Since I'm not on here often, you can always send me a private message.. that'll get you an answer much quicker

Ellerie..

**shaunna** · #5 04-11-2012, 02:20 PM

I'm from western Australia and my bf is from Memphis TN

I met him through a penpal website in may 2011 where we became really good friends, by November he we became a couple just before he was released to the halfway house after 7 years in prison. I admit I was nervous about how we were going to be after he was released but things are better than ever. We met for the first time in February this year at the halfway house and I'd never been so nervous before in my entire life LOL but it was great. He's now on home confinement and I'm flying over to see him in five more sleeps

. Then after that at the end of may he gets completely released and I'm going over to spend a month with him

we talk several times a day and i love him more than anything (corny I know lol)

Ellerie · #6 04-11-2012, 02:46 PM

Not corny at all!!! Hope you have an amazing time while being there

Synti · #7 04-11-2012, 09:50 PM

Very nice to meet you all! It's very supportive to read all of your stories - our relationship is in the begin but I really wish that we'll be together looong time (preferably forever

) but only time will tell - but I'm optimistic

Thank you mallafri about that link - I'm probably blind but I didn't see that at all when I was searching, hah..

My man has got 1-4 years left of his sentence, so we'll know next spring will he got his parole or not, if not, he'll get out in 2016. First I thought that is not so long time but yes, it is.. But waiting is all we can do

And during his time in prison we could only enjoy this feeling of loving and caring through letters!

mallafri, my man is in Hughes Unit and I really wait to see Texas! I haven't travelled much in my life so it's veeeery exciting to even travel, but go to the visit in prison and meet my man! Oh man, I would probably walk towards the walls and get crazy, hahah.

Ellerie · #8 04-12-2012, 09:33 AM

@ Shaunna.. I am sooo happy for you! Read your post and it made me smile.. Hope you have a great time with him!!!

@ Synti.. support is something we can all use!!
Unfortunatly I know the feeling about the constant waiting.. can't say it's easy.. not even after a while.. but you learn how to control yourself.. and even that doesn't always go well either..
Still.. it helps me a lot of coming here.. reading other stories.. and just realise that I'm never alone in this... Try to put faith out of little things..

eloriel · #9 04-12-2012, 11:10 AM

YES! Tervetuola!

I'm from Switzerland and my MWI is in Texas. So first feel free to read everything in the forum about Visitation rights and rules and so on. Every state is different and also with phone calls. Unfortunately, Texas is the "worst" in terms of making contact, since they dont allow international calls in State prison, TDCJ that is...dunno about Federal.

I have known mine for half a year now and I plan to visit soon, if everything goes well. One word of advice, be vigilant and cautious, there are sadly many inmates who use scams. Not all of them....but still there are. If he asks for money/packages very soon...ask for a trust fund account statement instead and see the reaction coming....it will be interesting I promise that! Just use common sense as you also would in real life and never be affraid to ask questions! Yes it has to be said that there were also some who waited outside the gate upon release for nothing....because the "alleged" loved one just went off somewhere else....but that could also be in real life....so just my 5 cents here.

I am very suspicious in nature and that hasnt kept my MWI from writing or expressing feelings. He was a bit pissed off at first, when I came with all this questioning and critizism (not about the crimes!)...but now he actually likes it, because he know I am not bearing ill-will. Its also bit a cultural difference between a Swiss and an American maybe....but THAT's also fun to explore....we even joke about this now.

BelieveInUs · #10 04-12-2012, 11:45 AM

My boyfriend is in California and I'm Italian. We met through a penpal website in June 2011 and we immediately got a GREAT connection. We wrote a lot to each other and in September he started to call me almost everyday. We admited we had feelings for each other when his ex came back. We are together since 28th December 2011. He makes me feel like a Princess and he's introducing me to his family (more or less). It's hard but letters are a good way and he's being transfered so we will calls back (his current yard is on lockdown). I'm planning about moving there as soon as i'll have money enough!

ilovecoffee · #11 04-12-2012, 11:48 AM

I am Canadian and he is American. He is Kentucky. 10 hours away from me. I plan on visiting this summer fingers crossed!

paradise soul · #12 04-12-2012, 02:59 PM

I am german, my man is in MA, is serving the 11th year of 15 to life.......he is my future husband and ex-penpal

, we got to know each other in 2009, together since March 2010.......always love to meet others from far far awaywith a loved one in US.

MsStamp · #13 04-12-2012, 05:41 PM

Me

Usual story, girl meets inmate via pen pal site, girls starts to have feeling for inmate, inmate takes down ad lol. I'm in the UK and he is all the way across the pond. It can work if you want it to.

**shaunna** · #14 04-12-2012, 07:02 PM

Loved reading everyone stories

keep them coming!

Synti · #15 04-12-2012, 09:20 PM

So nice to meet you all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by eloriel

YES! Tervetuola!

I'm from Switzerland and my MWI is in Texas. So first feel free to read everything in the forum about Visitation rights and rules and so on. Every state is different and also with phone calls. Unfortunately, Texas is the "worst" in terms of making contact, since they dont allow international calls in State prison, TDCJ that is...dunno about Federal.

I have known mine for half a year now and I plan to visit soon, if everything goes well. One word of advice, be vigilant and cautious, there are sadly many inmates who use scams. Not all of them....but still there are. If he asks for money/packages very soon...ask for a trust fund account statement instead and see the reaction coming....it will be interesting I promise that! Just use common sense as you also would in real life and never be affraid to ask questions! Yes it has to be said that there were also some who waited outside the gate upon release for nothing....because the "alleged" loved one just went off somewhere else....but that could also be in real life....so just my 5 cents here.

I am very suspicious in nature and that hasnt kept my MWI from writing or expressing feelings. He was a bit pissed off at first, when I came with all this questioning and critizism (not about the crimes!)...but now he actually likes it, because he know I am not bearing ill-will. Its also bit a cultural difference between a Swiss and an American maybe....but THAT's also fun to explore....we even joke about this now.

Yeah that's truth and there are SO many players out there! I had one penpal who told in the first letter how he can't play guitar in prison because he hasn't got the money for it, I didn't comment that at all. In next letter he told about it again and even mentioned the price to get the guitar... Well, then I met my man and I informed my penpals that I have found someone special and I don't feel right to write with others.. Well, I have sent some money to my man and when I asked that in the beginning that if it's okay that I'm sending him some $ for stamps and so on, he really denied me and told that he don't want ask anything and he don't want get money from me.. But now he have left this money issue for me, he says often that I know what he thinks about it but he surely appreciate my support... Only time will tell what kind of person he really is and ofcourse I have had some doubts, probably will be in future also but I have decided that I trust in him, trust is the base for everything and without that this waiting and everything would be terrible and devastating :s

Oh man it's so late! I need to get to work, brb!

Rae87 · #16 04-13-2012, 12:15 AM

I'm in the UK and J's in SC at present. I'd love to go and see him...

Ellerie · #17 04-13-2012, 12:41 AM

love love love to read up on these stories too

MsStamp · #18 04-13-2012, 06:12 AM

I forgot to add, I love hearing these stories about the Non- US women and US inmate relationships. Although MWIs are all in the same boat, I really do feel that those of us who are outside the US are in a slightly different situation. Its not AS easy for us to visit, or to speak to our MWIs (if the prison doesnt allow international calls), everything is going to be more expensive as well.

Ellerie · #19 04-13-2012, 07:04 AM

We are indeed in the same boat.. even though visiting is more difficult not living in the USA.. would definetly move closer then..
Will take me a while before getting there.. and don't even know if I can wait for such a long time.. there just isn't any other option...

Still..my heart goes to everyone having a loved one inside.. having to miss that person!!

utahndolce · #20 04-13-2012, 08:10 AM

Well I'm from Turkey and currently working in Egypt and my MWI is in California! It's so true everything is more expensive and the distance is crazy but nonetheless worth it

almaguerx · #21 04-14-2012, 11:26 PM

Does anyone of you guys talk to your loved ones by phone? I want to call my friend in OHIO (I am from Mexico). I know there are many services such as GTL, Google Voice, Skype Online Number.... but I don't really have any experience oh this! Thanks!

Synti · #22 04-15-2012, 01:36 AM

I hope you'll get some help - maybe you could ask it in General Prison Talk Phones, Mail and Visitation Discussion ( link ) maybe there is someone who could help you?

Jootje · #23 04-15-2012, 03:08 AM

@almaguerx: You will not be able to call him yourself. If you want to talk to your loved one, he will be the one that can call you, not the other way around.

MsStamp · #24 04-15-2012, 03:19 AM

I went and got a number local to him from skype, then added myself to his 'call list' then he calls me using a debit system. So he loads the card with money, and then uses that to call me. I don't think all states have that but check if your pen pal's prison offer this service.

utahndolce · #25 04-15-2012, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almaguerx

Does anyone of you guys talk to your loved ones by phone? I want to call my friend in OHIO (I am from Mexico). I know there are many services such as GTL, Google Voice, Skype Online Number.... but I don't really have any experience oh this! Thanks!

Hey babe I use a company called cheapjailcalls.com they are great, you set up an account they charge you the rate for your country that they offer. Then they give you a local number you MWI can call you on. You give him the number and he adds to his phone list to get approved. Mine pays 6 cents a minute to call me and I'm all they way in Egypt so Im sure Mexico will be cheaper

if you need anymore info pm me and I'll be happy to help you out.