Just about everything you need to know is here----

http://tinyurl.com/ldycqgr

There is a complete section on visiting, mail, and some other subjects if you just scroll down.

If you join the site, you can also participate in the discussion for the Florida prison system and even ask specific questions of people who have loved ones there.

rewdiazepam

Thanks Rew

I am in Fl and my husband is in prison here, just ask away and I will answer for you!

Kate

Hi this is my first time trying this site, I hope it works for all of us. When your son is placed in the prison where he will stay. I would pull it up on line and read the details on what you want to do. It gives you details of what you can mail to him. That helps my son a lot. We send him pictures, paper, envelopes, stamps, print outs off the internet. Everybody there loves getting mail. I do use securus for the phone calls it's not that bad for price but I'm trying to find other ones also. I also find out who his classification officer is. Sometimes you want to ask them questions. Make sure he writes them and tells them they can talk with you, or they won't. Good luck, saying prayers for you

Securus is the only phone provider that you can use in the FL prison system, we do not get a choice. Once he goes to the reception center (this is where he will go as soon as he leaves county) you will not hear from him by phone for 4-6 weeks, it was 3 weeks before I got my first letter. They may only call phone numbers on their approved list, you will have to send a copy of your phone bill to him to turn in to his classification officer to get your number on his list, FL DOC will not allow pre paid carriers such as Metro or Boost onto the inmate calling list. You will have to do an application for visitation before you can see him. Unless they make him a permanent resident at the reception center (they did my husband) you will not be allowed to visit him there, you will have to wait until he arrives at his permanent camp. You may send him writing materials, he can have 10 envelopes, 1 book of stamps and 15 sheets of paper. You may also send him photos up to 15 at a time for a max of 50 in his possession. It looks o me like you all live on the treasure coast, if this is the case he will go to Central Florida Reception Center in Orlando. Let me know in a private message his name, I will have my hubby look out for him and let me know as soon as he is there so I can let you know. If there is anything else please let me know.

Oh also, you will want to set up accounts with jpay (jpay.com) and securus (securustech.net). Jpay is how you will send him canteen money, there is a fee to do so,i send my hubby $50.00 every 2 weeks, it costs 7.95 to send it. Securus not not charge you to add money to the phone but you will want to have your acct ready for when he is finally able to call you, remember cell phones can only be through a contracted carrier to be allowed on the list. If he does go to Orlando here is how you will write him:

John Doe DOC#XXXXXX
CFRC
7000 HC Kelly Rd.
Orlando, FL 32831

I hope all this info was helpful.

Kate

My guy is a guest of the BOP (Uncle Sam), and many of the federal rules are different from those at state facilities, but we have to save money on phone calls too because we're not only in different states, we're in different time zones. The long distance charges add up fast.

I looked into a lot of phone carriers and forwarding services and this is what I did. I bought a free phone (online) from my cell provider and added it to my existing account. When it came time to get the telephone number, I picked one from his area code and county. It's a local call for him and it doesn't cost me much.

I don't know if that works for state facilities, but it's working very well for us. "His" phone is one of those really small flip phones and he's the only one who has that number, so when it rings, I know it's him calling.