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.
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