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

MountainDrew · #1 06-26-2012, 06:15 PM

I am a recently released (05/05/11) inmate of Florida DOC.

I joined this in hopes that I can shed some light or help people in anyway possible.

I spent my time at Taylor CI main unit.

ANYone with ANY questions please feel free to ask.

shananana · #2 06-26-2012, 06:24 PM

What's the best advice you could give to an inmate in Florida prisons? My LO is currently in reception. He's looking at doing 7.5 years.

nicenjazzy · #3 06-26-2012, 06:29 PM

Glad to see you here and good for you for wanting to help and share your knowledge. Best of luck to ya!!

NAN425 · #4 06-26-2012, 07:09 PM

Welcome Drew! Thanks for joining PTO! Congrats on coming home!

I know we have at least one forum member here whose husband recently started his time at Taylor...I'll bet you can be helpful!

mbbsgirl · #5 06-27-2012, 08:34 AM

Hi Drew,
My husband is currently at the SFRC and we're waiting to find out where he will be going. Thank you so much for volunteering your information to us!!!

tripsgirl · #6 06-27-2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainDrew

I am a recently released (05/05/11) inmate of Florida DOC.

I joined this in hopes that I can shed some light or help people in anyway possible.

I spent my time at Taylor CI main unit.

ANYone with ANY questions please feel free to ask.

Did you happen to meet a man named Wayne Crum in there?

MountainDrew · #7 07-09-2012, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shananana

What's the best advice you could give to an inmate in Florida prisons? My LO is currently in reception. He's looking at doing 7.5 years.

I was blessed in a million and one ways while I was in. I read hundreds of books, went to the yard every chance I had, and did my best to keep to myself.

Don't gamble, don't borrow things, don't mess around with any drugs, and do not talk to the guards unless you must. Help every one around you as much as you can within reason. Never snitch. It is going to be rough, but take every program they offer, such as vocations (plumbing, carpentry, GED). Go to chapel (if you believe). Just live the best possible life you can in there.

ALWAYS remember there have been a million people before you that have went through these exact same things, and 99% of them make it out in one piece. Keep the best attitude possible and remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel and all these things shall pass in time.

There really are a lot of truly awesome, incredible people in there. In the beginning just keep to yourself and watch others around you. If you just sit back and "people watch" for a week, you will be able to see who it is and isn't that you want to be around.

I never had any major problems with fellow inmates. For the most part the guards are the worst. All you can do, is just play submissive, let them talk whatever sheet they need to talk, and just bite your tongue and be on your way. They do it to everyone, so don't let it get to you. Most of the guards are decent, but there are plenty that are not.

One thing to remember too, that place is like high school all over again. There is drama, trash-talking, and more rumors than you could ever imagine. People will tell you the most random things, just to try and get a rise out of you. Don't pay attention to them. Do YOUR time, and no one else's.

I know this may be kinda vague, but it is really difficult to actually describe that place to someone. If you have any specifics, please continue to ask

MountainDrew · #8 07-09-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripsgirl

Did you happen to meet a man named Wayne Crum in there?

doesn't look familiar

simonsezfl · #9 07-09-2012, 05:17 PM

[quote=MountainDrew;6862095]I
.

Hi Drew good luck with your future hope all goes well for you. I was wondering if you or anyone you know went to wrc? My grandson has 19 months left is putting in for wrc. He wants close to us as we drive 8 hrs each way to visit and my husband is 76 and me 69 so long trip.
He has no one else in area so we need to support him in all ways possible can you tell me of any of the facilities that are better than others.
We just want him to be safe and treated well. He is in private prison now and they are treated very well if you obey the rules and respect everyone so not complaints , he is a orderly and works for the warden. thanks for your help take care of yourself and make sure you don't go back again, in my prayers, worried grandma simonsezfl

TZT4$ure4Life · #10 07-09-2012, 08:04 PM

Happy to have you with us Drew and good luck with your future... my husband was at Taylor for a short time.. They sent him there in a wheel chair and it was a mess.. He hated it the short time he was there.. Thank GOD they got him moved out of there.. I have heard some bad things about it...

MountainDrew · #11 07-24-2012, 12:56 PM

[quote=simonsezfl;6862437]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainDrew

I
.

Hi Drew good luck with your future hope all goes well for you. I was wondering if you or anyone you know went to wrc? My grandson has 19 months left is putting in for wrc. He wants close to us as we drive 8 hrs each way to visit and my husband is 76 and me 69 so long trip.
He has no one else in area so we need to support him in all ways possible can you tell me of any of the facilities that are better than others.
We just want him to be safe and treated well. He is in private prison now and they are treated very well if you obey the rules and respect everyone so not complaints , he is a orderly and works for the warden. thanks for your help take care of yourself and make sure you don't go back again, in my prayers, worried grandma simonsezfl

The requirements for Work Release are 18 months left, Community custody, and no sex charges. There is a bit more to it, but those are the basics. They will give him a map of Florida and all the WR centers. They will tell him to choose 3 places he is willing to go. He will only go to one of the three places he chooses. If they are all full, he will just have to wait. I wish him the best of luck. I put in for WR, but was denied because I only had 6 months left at the time of application.

lin787 · #12 07-24-2012, 01:11 PM

Hi Drew and Welcome to PTO, we need your kind of help. PTO has kept me sorta sane, as sane as possible anyway. Keep yourself strong, and may God Bless you.

mike4818 · #13 10-14-2012, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainDrew

I am a recently released (05/05/11) inmate of Florida DOC.

I joined this in hopes that I can shed some light or help people in anyway possible.

I spent my time at Taylor CI main unit.

ANYone with ANY questions please feel free to ask.

our grandson is going to orlando reception center from lake county jail. how can he get into a auto mech or welding training ? can someone request that?

NAN425 · #14 10-14-2012, 03:46 PM

They will be asked their interests during reception but DOC rarely gives them what they want. DOC does whatever the heck it wants and the welfare/interest of the inmate rarely factors in. The only interest that matters is DOC's.

**Anjewel** · #15 10-15-2012, 07:22 PM

Welcome to PTO MountainDrew, glad you found us!

jim~robin · #16 10-15-2012, 08:29 PM

Hi Drew how are you doing first of all since you have been out, well you are helping people that are on here so that is wonderful. I have tons of questions, however I do know that state to state prisons are different. However I am sure the basics are still the same. My boyfriend is in a level 1-2 prison in Ohio. And my gut is telling me that he is doing something illegal, drugs something. But if you could let me know about the goverment system in there, I am sure that there are people with alot more power in there then others. And by far do I feel as if he is a Bitch, however some of his actions over the last couple of months lead me to belive that he is up to no good. Now mind you I have someone in there that he doesnt know about and he doesnt know that I am even asking the questions about what he is doing in there. So I am good at that point, and yes I know that it could back fire at this point I need to know what is going on in there and not the bullshit version. Call me dumb or loyal but I dont plan on going anywhere, but either way I need to ask you some questions. Thanks

*ben's girl* · #17 10-15-2012, 09:16 PM

jim~robin, you would get better answers by posting your question in the Ohio forum. Each state is different as to how facilities run, atmosphere, etc.

melissah1204 · #18 11-18-2012, 09:32 PM

my boyfriend just got transferred to the main intake in Orlando, FL. I had county all figured out, but this prison stuff is making me go crazy. I need to get a phone (right now only have a prepaid)... Do you suggest that I get a cell phone or house phone. I heard the cell phones cost more through securus, but house phones are like $47 a month and I'd still be paying for a cell phone too, so just wondering if it's a significant difference. Also, his mother offered either way to get the phone... does the bill have to be in MY name... or can he call it anyway... the phone issue is really confusing me. Brighthouse and AT&T are the only ones that I can get if I get a house phone (pros, cons, any input on that?)... And we were thinking about adding me to her contract cell phone through Verizon... I have questions on that too... they live in Massachusettes... I'm in Hernando County, Florida... can they add a line to their contract for me and do I have to have a number with my area code or can they just choose the number up there (they are sending me their phone) or should I get a phone with my area code? Not sure if there were rules on that... and I saw we need to submit phone bills/contract... does anyone have a site that I can go to so I can learn about the phone process... who do I get ahold of? who do I fax stuff to? anything??.... And Commissary... I got the number to check the balance (1-866-209-7250) I got through the jpay and put $100 on the other day... he hasnt used it yet, idk if its because he isnt really in yet or what since he got there thursday night/friday morning... but like how much do the guys really need in there... i mean obviously I dont HAVE to give him anything... but like how much do you need to live comfortably, have plenty of food, have soap, shoes, radio, etc.... I put $50-$75 a week when he was in county, just wondering what a livable amount is in prison... was it cheaper than county or more expensive... I saw a list of stuff they can get in there, but wasnt sure how often they are able to actually go buy stuff or if its like an open shop... and is there a weekly spending limit?? One more thing (I know, more, lol) I sent him mail and I sent 2 pieces of written on paper, a blank envelope, 3 pieces blank paper, 2 stamps and put it all in and used one stamp on the front... its cheap thin lined paper, wasnt sure how many I can shove in with an envelope and 1 stamp (guess I should get a scale)