From Sporty: My Two Visits with Dragonfly Hazel

Arrived FMC Carswell at 7:45 am and had about 30 cars in line in front of me. Gates open at 8am but didn't until 8:10. Had to show guard at gate my drivers license and proof of car insurance. I was in a rental car and showed rental contract and my own insurance card that covers rental. Was given a form and parking pass to put on dashboard. Drove to parking lot, entered building, filled out short form, if you have inmates number that's good or they will look it up. Placed form with my drivers license paper clipped to it in box on counter and stood waiting, very few chairs. Guard calls out name of inmate I was visiting and then I went through metal detectors and put personal belonging in bin with shoes just like at airport. Then sign a paper, have hand stamped with invisible ink and wait for guard to escort groups through a room with fluorescent lamp that shows your hand stamp. Then to visiting area. Dragonfly Hazel was in visiting room when I arrived and first saw her at 9:30am, dressed in all Khaki uniform. We were allowed one hug and small kiss upon arrival and one at departure. The meeting area is a large room with seating similar to that at the airport. Rows of chairs with some having a table in between chairs, but most did not. We were able to change our seats once a seat with a table opened up. We had to sit in seat sideways in order to comfortably talk and be able to face each other w out turning neck the whole time. We talked and I was able to purchase things from vending machine for us. She was not allowed at vending machine but could stand at a distance as I read off what was in frozen food machine. One microwave was available, so at times there may be a short wait to use, but not bad. Food choices were all $4 each and included deli sandwiches, cheeseburgers, breakfast sandwiches, buffalo chicken wings, mini tacos, BBQ ribs, chili cheese dogs. I got her a breakfast sandwich and it was very similar to what you would get at a fast food restaurant. I had eaten before I arrived and would suggest others do the same. She wanted an orange soda, something she enjoys and can't get inside. There were a lot of families visiting, talking, eating, some crying. They had a kids play room and it was nice to see inmates spending time with their kids although it was sad as well. We talked for hours as we both had so much to share. For lunch she had the mini tacos and they were good! I had the wings and I don't recommend them! Other vending machines had a variety of other items you would normally see in them. At about 10:15 am the lights flashed on and off signaling for all inmates to approach desk and line up for a count (fyi: they shut down the line of people coming in to visit during counts, so don't come during the 10 o'clock hour). They were then told that their bathroom breaks would be at 10:30 and 12:30. They flash the lights on and off when it's bathroom break time. When she went to bathroom she told me a woman guard had to stand in there with her while she went to make sure visitors weren't giving any inmates anything to bring inside. Visitors use different restrooms, one family at a time and you must obtain key from desk and sign for it. At 1pm inmates can take pictures with family. Inmates obtain picture tickets ahead of time and the cost is $1 each. Dragonfly Hazel bought 2 tickets. An inmate whose job is picture taking took our pics and will get them in a week and she can send me one. They actually set up with a backdrop for the photos. Visiting hour ends at 2:45 and we hugged before departing. She then got in a line where she told me 4 inmates at a time will go into a room to be strip searched before going back inside. Visitors are escorted out where they pick up their drivers license and go thru room to show hand stamp again then leave and return parking pass to guard at front gate.
Day 2
Arrived earlier this day at 6:50 am and had 15 cars in line in front of me. Gates opened at 8am and I reached visitation room and Dragonfly Hazel at 8:50am. Not much in machine for breakfast so she wanted to try the much talked about pizza and she enjoyed it. For lunch we shared a huge cheeseburger and it was ok but would have been better with condiments, there were none! Dragonfly Hazel wasn't feeling well and had a stiff neck and body aches, but she was happy to have the visit. It was a busier day for visitors and the guard made an announcement that if it became too crowded he may have to cut some of the visits short. When this happens they ask local visitors or frequent ones to leave and ones that traveled a great distance, like myself would be able to stay. Nobody was asked to leave early today.  Dragonfly Hazel mentioned that mail call is the highlight of her week, so keep sending letters to your friends, family and loved ones if they are ever incarcerated....it means a lot to them to stay connected! I said goodbye and left at 2:40pm. We were happy to see each other and had two days of long visits and while it was great to see her, it was also sad, given the circumstances and the environment she is in.