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texasmomof5 · #26 01-23-2009, 03:49 PM

My daughter has been in Gadsden for almost 8 yrs. now. She rec'd. 10 yr. sentence which she has to serve 80% of. I have visited her only once as I live in Texas She is 46 & has 2 kids & 3 Grandkids. She was always a trouble maker when she was little. I think that was jealousy over her youger siblings. She quit school at 16 & began her life of unsatisfactory behavior. I have 3 other daughters (all A students) in school and one son (oldest @ 47 1/2) I am 66 and hoping she has learned her lessons after all these years. She writes & says she has and can't wait to get out. She is scared of that though as to what will happen when she does get out.

nick3369 · #27 01-27-2009, 05:46 PM

If anyone has any questions about Gadsden, feel free to ask here or pm me. My girlfriend has been there for most of the past 4+ years, so I am pretty knowledgable about the place. (unfortunately

)

littledolphin · #28 03-25-2009, 10:00 AM

Gadsden Correctional is the worst facility i have yet to have an encounter with, the co's are extremely rude, their hygiene is horrible. They never have any order with themselves, their is no protocol. Management must not exist at GCF. Visitation is horrible, unorganized. The cost of canteen is ridiculous.

nick3369 · #29 04-04-2009, 09:05 PM

Oh man, this last weekend was the worst yet! I got there at 7:30. They're supposed to start processing visitors at 7:45, but they didn't start until 8:15. They had some kind of volunteer classroom that day, so all the people there for that were in the same line as the visitors. They had a new computer system that nobody knew how to work, so it took them 30 minutes to process the first 2 visitors before they finally figured it out. I finally got to the VP at 9:00, one hour after visitation is supposed to begin! The vending machines were full of crap (but that's normal). They normally do one count around noon which takes around 15 minutes, but this day they had to do 2 counts! (What do they say in there? CCA-stands for Can't Count Anyway.)

I hope she's out of that place soon...

littledolphin · #30 07-21-2009, 09:15 AM

Due to the latest on the criminal activity at Gadsden with the CO's is not shocking, come on people do your job, this activity is common at Gadsden. Glad to see if was finally in the news, usually reprecussion with the inmates keeps that from happening. Shut it down, and lock up the CO's breaking the laws. Then you would have to open another prison just for the CO's that work for CCA.

questionablemom · #31 08-05-2009, 11:22 PM

What kind of criminal activity is going on there? I'm scared cause my daughter is on her way there.

blazeles · #32 10-14-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheotherLondon

Hi I asked this before but any one here have a
love one/friend/penpal at Gadsden?
thank you..

i do i wanna communicate can they do so here

newoneinFl · #33 11-08-2009, 08:23 PM

My daughter is in Gadsen, at the present time in confinment. A female got in her face, pushing her and she hit her back. The video only shows my daughters back to the camera and couldnt see the girl put her hands on my daughter. My daughter attempted to be transferred out of the place where this girl was, due to other problems with this girl, but was denied. I havent gotten to see my daughter because my car wont make it there. I live in the Clearwater area. She is to get out in the middle of April 2010. I cant wait. Is there anyone that sends birthday cards to people in Gadsen. Her birthday is December 12th. I cant wait till she is home!

ms. pulga · #34 11-09-2009, 05:26 AM

My cousin is in Gadsden and should be transfered soon. Her mother is terminally ill and we have been fighting to get her closer to home so her mom can see her but its been a mission. we dont know how much longer her mom will be around. They have no sympathy.

glory81 · #35 11-19-2009, 05:06 PM

Does anyone know if I can send a blank Christmas card to an inmate at Gadsden? I'm not familiar with the mail room there. Thanks!

(Doing) Time · #36 04-16-2010, 05:02 AM

Does anyone have more recent visitation information on Gadsen and perhaps some information on the camp in general? (I already know about CCA losing their contract; just more interested in how CCA's visitation was run!)

All is appreciated!!
In Unity!

tera222 · #37 05-12-2010, 08:15 AM

I will be visiting my friend at Gadsden very soon she will be there for about 2 years.... How long can you stay for visitation? Whcih hotels are the closest?
Thanks for any info
Tera

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick3369

Oh man, this last weekend was the worst yet! I got there at 7:30. They're supposed to start processing visitors at 7:45, but they didn't start until 8:15. They had some kind of volunteer classroom that day, so all the people there for that were in the same line as the visitors. They had a new computer system that nobody knew how to work, so it took them 30 minutes to process the first 2 visitors before they finally figured it out. I finally got to the VP at 9:00, one hour after visitation is supposed to begin! The vending machines were full of crap (but that's normal). They normally do one count around noon which takes around 15 minutes, but this day they had to do 2 counts! (What do they say in there? CCA-stands for Can't Count Anyway.)

I hope she's out of that place soon...

Jensman · #38 05-12-2010, 06:01 PM

My Fiance is there and I see her every month, and it has never been the same two months in a row. One month they let you get to the door of the reception area and the next you are in the parking lot by the yellow pole until 8:30. My best advice is this (and this is exactly what I do). Get some of the forms you have to fill out and pre fill them. Plan to get there about 7-7:15 am. (best places to stay are either the Hampton in or the Holiday Inn express off of exit 184, the next exit west is the one for the facility). Wear slip on shoes, wear little or no jewlery. I take my watch, reading glasses and a cheap pen if there is something I have to fill out, my drivers Lic. and my keys. Once you get by the front desk (were you have to show them you have no more in $50 in singles or fives and every thing you said you had) they will call your beloved up. then you go to the next station and wait by the fence. You have to take your shoes off and everything out of your pockets and youe are frisked and they check your shoes. Then you get to go through the detector, agian everything off go through and they take your DL (at this point you have two tags one brass for your keays and one plastic for your DL). Then you get to the first gate to go to the vissitation center, and if they feel like it they buzz you in and then you have to buzzed through the second gate. Then if they feel like it they let you in and you have to show the guard the stamp you got on your hand and give them the visitation form. There are a limited number of snack items for the imates to enjoy so I suggest you get what they want as fast as you can, to include beverages. They then bring in the inmates ( Ihave waited 30 minutes for this in the past). They must sit with their backs t the back of the room and you must sit facing the machines, and only limited physical contact. The inmates can not cross any yellow lines around the machines so you have to do it. They have to go through count around mid day, and then they can sit with you again. You can not leave your seat or go during the count. When your visit is over you collect your visitation sheet, the inmate is then body cavity searched, or strip searched depending on the dyke in charge at the time. and you basically unwind the process (get your DL and Keys at eack of those stops. Also you can not park in the visitor parking area before 7AM. Hope this helps.

Jensman · #39 05-12-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glory81

Does anyone know if I can send a blank Christmas card to an inmate at Gadsden? I'm not familiar with the mail room there. Thanks!

Yes you can in fact cards are a form of tender in there, but you can only send 5 per shipment.

littledolphin · #40 05-14-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tera222

I will be visiting my friend at Gadsden very soon she will be there for about 2 years.... How long can you stay for visitation? Whcih hotels are the closest?
Thanks for any info
Tera

9 to 3 exit 184, go to Tallahassee, cheaper nicer!, Quincy is a dump and the hotel rooms are dirty and expensive

TiffanysDad · #41 08-05-2010, 09:11 AM

Does anyone know what there is is for the inmates to do in there? What kind of programs are avaliable & are they any good? My daughter will be there for 3 years & Im hopeing there will be somthing educiational for her to pass the time. . Thanks : Joey

SharonLL · #42 09-16-2010, 08:01 AM

Just wanted to say that if it brings some sort of peace to the minds of friends and family of those at Gadsden to know that it is a min security facility that has alot of extra activities and privelage. It is a pain to visit for those trying to come in and it is horrible for visitation with not being able to go to the vending machines and having to stop for count, especially when 8 out of 10 times they cant count right. But, as previously stated there is no "Body cavity search" after visitation, however there is a strip search. That is because regardless of the rules that are in place there is always someone smart enough to figure a way to sneak things in, the number one thing being cig's. So, as you go through the ordeal of waiting to vist and yes it is a pain, just remember at the end of it you are leaving and the person you are visiting is not leaving that day. They are headed back to a room with people who have no respect for each other to lay on their beds and think about you and the ones who are outside of the gates with you. The officers are rude in visitation for whatever reason they feel they can be....badge big head I always said, but most of them on the inside do not act that way. I offer this not as a visitor but as a former inmate of 3 years of this facility....I am here now because I have a friend heading right back to the FL DOC system....

SharonLL · #43 09-16-2010, 08:06 AM

Joey, There are many physical programs there that offer ways to lose weight, get in shape, 'robics classes, walking field, volleyball, basketball. There are educational classes from basics, getting your GED, carpentry, commercial cleaning, horticulture and nursey conservation, there is church, worship service, bible study, inside and oustside grounds work depending on classifcation, there is also a faith based dorm for those seeking to study the bible, and the dog program dorm where they assist dogs in training to be bomb and body recovery dogs. There is canteen to order from, catalog to order radios and shoes, craft material ordering to knit, there are various projects like a walk for cancer, donut sales, pizza sales. There is a coke machine in every dorm and a microwave....There is plenty to do and learn to pass the time if you choose to do it.....The main thing is that you are stuck in an open bay room with about 60 other people and they are of from all types and walks of life and the greatest lesson to learn is tolerance of others because it is loud and everyone has differences....there are many who will try and use you just to get a candy bar from your locker and then not know you right after they eat it....my advice would be to enroll in a program, make friends cautiously and leave the drama to others

Plant Guy · #44 12-02-2010, 08:24 PM

Hey everyone, I know the the majority of you out there are waiting on a male friend/husband, and since Gadsden is all women, I can't find out much info on what it is like, experiences, etc. I live about 6 hours south, so I would like to know what I should/shouldn't do when going there. Does anyone have any info they could share? Thanks.

volpone · #45 01-21-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plant Guy

Hey everyone, I know the the majority of you out there are waiting on a male friend/husband, and since Gadsden is all women, I can't find out much info on what it is like, experiences, etc. I live about 6 hours south, so I would like to know what I should/shouldn't do when going there. Does anyone have any info they could share? Thanks.

Hi. My niece committed her crime in another state but was transferred to Florida, where she is from and where her family is. She is currently at Gadsden. There have been major changes there since CCA left. If you want to know more just PM me.

volpone

kjgroff · #46 02-07-2011, 06:31 PM

I was hoping to read more about Gadsden. My girl is being transfered there and I am looking to see quickest way to send money & what the phone system may be. Thanks for any info

gogators · #47 03-23-2011, 01:58 PM

Hello,

My mother has recently been transported to the Gadsden CI in Quincy, FL, where she'll serve the remainder of her sentence. This is our family's first encounter with jail/prison so I'm looking for any helpful information. For example: what we can send to her, visitation information, ect. Thanks in advance!

volpone · #48 03-24-2011, 05:38 PM

My niece is at Gadsden. She was transferred from out of state to be closer to her family and then they ship her clear across Florida. Go figure. Anyway, Gadsden is fairly relaxed by Florida DOC standards. It is very large (about 1500 inmates) and is privately run. There is a lot of chaos right now as the old company (CCA) that used to run it has been replaced by a new company (MCA) that is trying to get a handle on things. A lot of the personnel changed with the change of ownership. There have also been a lot of lockdowns in recent months. You must get approved for visitation; this can take up to two months. You are allowed to send up to 20 stamps with each letter. Books can be ordered through Amazon or a publisher. (But do not have anything sent UPS or FedEx, the staff at Gadsden will not sign for them). A real headache at Gadsden is that they will not accept payments through J-Pay (or at least they didn't
when CCA ran the place). If there are further specific questions I can answer, you can send me a PM. But, above all, try not to worry. The inmates at Gadsden are either short-timers or long-timers who have been sent there well into their sentence. They are not violent and do not want to be sent to a tougher prison. It is not a pleasant place, and there is a lot of drama and pettiness, but it is not like what they show on TV. I hope this helps.

gogators · #49 03-25-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volpone

My niece is at Gadsden. She was transferred from out of state to be closer to her family and then they ship her clear across Florida. Go figure. Anyway, Gadsden is fairly relaxed by Florida DOC standards. It is very large (about 1500 inmates) and is privately run. There is a lot of chaos right now as the old company (CCA) that used to run it has been replaced by a new company (MCA) that is trying to get a handle on things. A lot of the personnel changed with the change of ownership. There have also been a lot of lockdowns in recent months. You must get approved for visitation; this can take up to two months. You are allowed to send up to 20 stamps with each letter. Books can be ordered through Amazon or a publisher. (But do not have anything sent UPS or FedEx, the staff at Gadsden will not sign for them). A real headache at Gadsden is that they will not accept payments through J-Pay (or at least they didn't
when CCA ran the place). If there are further specific questions I can answer, you can send me a PM. But, above all, try not to worry. The inmates at Gadsden are either short-timers or long-timers who have been sent there well into their sentence. They are not violent and do not want to be sent to a tougher prison. It is not a pleasant place, and there is a lot of drama and pettiness, but it is not like what they show on TV. I hope this helps.

Thanks a lot! I just spoke with a classification officer down there and they seem a lot nicer than the other facilities I've spoken with. I hope this is how the rest of their staff is!

volpone · #50 03-25-2011, 08:22 PM

I am glad that you had a good experience with the classification officer. My experience--especially on visitation--is that the Gadsden staff is rather more co-operative with inmate families and friends then at other facilities (my niece was also at Lowell and Hernando). How they behave towards inmates varies. But my niece says that they are not brutal or abusive--her biggest complaints are inconsistency in applying the rules and sheer inefficiency.