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Griegito · #26 01-17-2008, 03:43 PM

would someone who visits or has a loved one in Gulf Main please PM me... I have a rather delicate situation that I would like to discuss with someone/anyone who has an inmate in Gulf... as I am trying to get some advice and information on how to proceed in this situation.

Thank you all and God Bless.

Griegito · #27 01-18-2008, 07:41 AM

Thanks to all who responded to me re: this post. I have however solved my issue... but Thanks again to all who were willing to help.

God Bless and good luck to all.

*ben's girl* · #28 05-05-2008, 07:42 PM

Does anyone have any updates about Gulf Annex? Visitation or how things have been at the facility lately?

jezz056 · #29 05-06-2008, 04:17 PM

when I went to visit in March I carpooled with a girl whos boyfriend was at the gulf annex.(mine was at the camp).She said that viso was super crowded and that they got to fool around due to lack of supervision.She said her boyfriend hated the annex.he complained about how dirty and gross alot of the inmates were there.really violent.Alot of fights.BUt as far as viso it was better than the camp.From what she told me.

Don Quixote · #30 05-06-2008, 04:20 PM

I was there a couple of months ago. It starts at 8 because its on CST. We were late and there was no wait. There are both vending machines and real life people canteen. The place is small indoors and we didn't see any chairs outside but there were a lot of people walking around in the yard. There are toys and games for kids. It seemed pretty ordinary.

The place is a little difficult to find, though the mapquest directions are accurate.

*ben's girl* · #31 05-07-2008, 07:48 PM

Thank you for the information. I forgot to ask 1 other question. I know some facilities don't allow open toed shoes and I pretty much live in my flip flops and sandals all summer. Will I be able to wear these? And are you allowed to park in the parking lot if you get there early or do you line up on the street? Ok, so 2 questions...

jezz056 · #32 05-07-2008, 07:57 PM

At gulf forestry camp and at the annex they are both relaxed on the open toe policy.I showed up in sneakers annoyed every1 around me was wearing sandals and the girl I carpooled with said alot of people at the annex wore sandals too.Im not sure about the annex and if they let you line up early or not.the camp they had us wait under a little waiting area outside and then we lined up.Umm thats all I know hope it helps some.

iheartterry · #33 06-20-2008, 04:34 PM

my boyfriend just got transferred to gulf c.i. annex from bay correctional, he doesn't know why. he said he is in the faith-based dorm. i dont know how much better that makes it. in 6 years he has never told me anything bad. i know he doesnt want me to worry. but im sure bad things happen there.

the directions confuse me. i live in tampa. i go to see him there for the first time july 19,20. theres really no hotels nearby that are decent, so since bay correctional isnt very far from gulf, i decided to stay in the same hotel. but the directions from the hotel to the prison are confusing as well.

let me know if you have any input

nosanity03 · #34 06-20-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartterry

my boyfriend just got transferred to gulf c.i. annex from bay correctional, he doesn't know why. he said he is in the faith-based dorm. i dont know how much better that makes it. in 6 years he has never told me anything bad. i know he doesnt want me to worry. but im sure bad things happen there.

the directions confuse me. i live in tampa. i go to see him there for the first time july 19,20. theres really no hotels nearby that are decent, so since bay correctional isnt very far from gulf, i decided to stay in the same hotel. but the directions from the hotel to the prison are confusing as well.

let me know if you have any input

If you're looking for a place to stay in Gulf County, there's a new suite hotel in Port St. Joe, about 20 mins from Wewahitchka. It opened about a year ago. You just go north through the National Forest, and you right through Wewa. I live about 20 mins east of Gulf County, so if anyone has any questions about the area, just ask!

SAHJJH · #35 07-10-2008, 08:27 PM

Hey, My bf just got transferred to Gulf CI. This is his first time ever in prison and I'm new to everything. I've submitted my viso form and am waiting for approval. I'm currently in Gainesville and this city is still far as hell from me.

It's going to be my first time visiting a prison ever so I was wondering what's the visitation like and are there any like specific rules I should really follow? I also wanted to know about lodging in the area. I know someone mentioned a place in Port St. Joe, what's it called? I also wanted to know what's Gulf like? Are they super strict? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. Thanks.

*ben's girl* · #36 07-10-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAHJJH

Hey, My bf just got transferred to Gulf CI.

Will you be visiting Gulf CI Main or the Annex? I noticed that Main is a lot busier than the Annex so I would get there early since it will take you a little longer to get in your first time. I've seen people there are early as 6:45. They could get there sooner but I never got there earlier than that. Gulf Main is the first prison (both facilities are located on the same property).

SAHJJH · #37 07-11-2008, 07:12 PM

He's at the Main Unit. Would that be 6:45 my time (eastern) or his time (central)? He told me that when I come up I'll think I'm lost but I won't be and that I should just follow the directions exactly as they are.

jessicar · #38 07-12-2008, 09:58 AM

Hi, everyone. This is my first post.

Could someone tell me please what Gulf C.I. is like? My former student is in the main unit, not the annex. I have read very different things about it.

Some say it is a fairly mellow place and that most of the correctional officers are fairly decent. Others have some difficult stories.

I don't know what to believe.

Also, how do I help someone who is serving 25 to life? What can I do to make his life easier?

*ben's girl* · #39 07-12-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAHJJH

He's at the Main Unit. Would that be 6:45 my time (eastern) or his time (central)? He told me that when I come up I'll think I'm lost but I won't be and that I should just follow the directions exactly as they are.

6:45 CST. I've come up Hwy 22 and Hwy 71 and there are signs for the facility on boths roads. Off Hwy 71 (you turn at a Texaco that has a nightclub in the back of it

, Club Wewa (my husband and I get the biggest kick out that) you wind through a neighborhood, but their are still signs that guide you. The sign off Hwy 22 just turns you onto Road 5. Not much on that road, but you come out on the other side of the neighborhood from Hwy 71. I like to say "if you think you've gone too far, you're going in the right direction."

SAHJJH · #40 07-12-2008, 08:10 PM

Thanks so much!

Don Quixote · #41 07-12-2008, 08:15 PM

QUOTE Could someone tell me please what Gulf C.I. is like? My former student is in the main unit, not the annex. ....

Some say it is a fairly mellow place and that most of the correctional officers are fairly decent. Others have some difficult stories.
...
Also, how do I help someone who is serving 25 to life? What can I do to make his life easier? UNQUOTE

This is really tough. What you want to convey to the inmate is that he gets to chose whether the time he spends in prison is engaged in healthy and positive things, or whether he allows himself to mire in the lack of skills that got him where he is. In other words, he can do what is right and have some measure of personal peace in a storm, or he can follow a crowd which isn't doing right. If he choses the latter, he may find some aspects of prison life easier, but it will be at the cost of his own dignity.

You can send him books, even college courses with the warden's approval, and if you accept his phone calls, you can discuss the books and ideas he is reading. You can write regularly, even if he phones, because he can read the letters anytime he wants, and he is likely to re-read them a lot. In those letters you can send him pictures of new inventions or describe the new ideas you encounter and new gadgets that make life easier so when he gets out he knows something about the world he will re-enter. There will be no prison services, so he will have to make his own rehabilitation. When he has been in prison without any disciplinary referrals, he may have opportunities to be of service in some prisons that do things like raise abandoned animals, or some other project (or you can help him think of one that he can propose to the warden, like reading books aloud to send home to children): if he volunteers for such project he will be glad he did.

Prison can be hard and the officers at any institution run the gamut. I've been told recently that alcohol and drugs are easy to get at Gulf and in most of the prisons in North Florida (may also be true of other parts of the state, but I don't know). So he will need to decide for himself to avoid the stuff. He needs to pay particular attention to the instructions he will receive about the grievance procedures because that is the way he gets a response if an officer is out of line. But the first step should always be to work it out with the officer at the lowest level.

You don't say his age, but if he is under 22 and had an IEP, then he has federal rights to educational services, which FDOC is in the process of litigating to avoid. PM me and I'll tell you more about how he can get the help he needs, if this applies.

He will receive everything he really needs in prison, but most want to purchase boots and long johns and other winter clothes and a few other things. If you want to spare some money, you can send it to him, but he will NEED very little of it (and you can find out if anyone else is sending him money in FL because that info is public, just call) Too much money can make him a target of some types of inmates.

I'm so glad you care enough to ask. Your contact may be what helps him leave prison in 25+ years without becoming worse than he went in.

jessicar · #42 07-13-2008, 06:12 AM

Thank you so much for this helpful advice. This is just the kind of advice I was looking for. I really appreciate the time you took to write it.

Peace be with you.

Lion's Victory · #43 01-29-2009, 08:22 AM

My fiance' got transferred there yesterday. I've read old posts but I wanted to know if anyone has anyone there. Also if you could give me some in-site on visitation, phone calls, and hotels around the area. Thanks ladies. I'm so glad visitation will be starting soon!!!

Anabel17 · #44 01-29-2009, 04:28 PM

HI my fiance is at Gulf C I I usually go there once a month, there's a lot of hotel's in Panama City I usually sta at the Econo Lodge it's about $45 per knight, phone calls I dont know if he has you on his list but if not you need to send him prove of your bill and he needs to add you, but what I did was called and spoke to Ms. Mcgone I think that's her name at 850-639-1366 and mailed her my bill directly, but your boyfriend needs a copy too so he can add you to his list, the guards are ok I have never had any problem as long as you keep your hands to yourself, if anything I can help you with dont hesitate in writing.

jonesin4jmj · #45 01-29-2009, 04:44 PM

I just got approved to visit, and would love to go with someone I am in ocala. I just ave to plan with kids dogs and finances and all. I know he wants me to come---I just do not know if it would be harder on me, cause I will have to say goodbye, ya know. I am not so sure I want this in a memory book. I do not wnat to cry for the 5 hr trip back home. I think that is why I would love to go with someone who is gong through it too.

Lion's Victory · #46 02-02-2009, 09:37 AM

Thanks ladies. I sent my application on Thursday hopefully it will be approved by Valentine's Day!

Anabel17 · #47 02-17-2009, 06:11 PM

I Was wondering if anyone has heard about Gulc CI becoming a Transitional center or a Re-entry program unit????

*ben's girl* · #48 02-17-2009, 08:34 PM

At one time (awhile back) I had heard Gulf Main was housing a lot of short timers. Not sure why or if that's still the case, though.

Anabel17 · #49 02-18-2009, 03:27 PM

someone told me that this was approved and I have looked all over and still not seen nothing, maybe if it's true they will move my bay closer to home

ricoswifey · #50 02-18-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben's girl

At one time (awhile back) I had heard Gulf Main was housing a lot of short timers. Not sure why or if that's still the case, though.

...Not sure about that, we have a friend in the main unit at Gulf & he has 7 years...I guess that could be considered short compared to some others though....