DOC stands for Department of Corrections. If you go to the DOC website and do a word search on public information office hey might be able to help you find out what to do. But let me tell you, it is a flacy that they will move him closer just because he requests it. When my man was moved to Tucson I tried to get them to move him closer and they wouldn't do it. they told ne they don't even do it for people with health problems. I know that to be true cuz a girl I know, her man got moved to Tucson with my man and she has a congenital heart problem and they wouldn't move him closer to Phoenix. I'm not syaing it won't happen, I just don't want you to get set on the idea. Lots of people in there beleive they still move people but they hardly do, for those reasons anyway. Let us know how it goes!

yeah, I don't have my hopes up at all for it...But I will damn sure try! Neither of us have medical issues...But, I guess I am still gonna write the Warden. Not sure how to start it, what to say, but...It's all worth a try. And it keeps me busy.

Sample letter:

I am ___ old, I have been with ___ for ___ years. I am the only family support that my guy has. I am writing to request ___ be moved to a facility closer to ___. I want to visit with my [husband] regularly and it would help greatly if he was moved to a facility closer to me. Family ties are important for us to remain intact and prepare for when he is released in _______. Our son was just born, and we want him to be able to meet him for the first time and be involved as much as he can in his life. Currently he is 4 hours away from me. Tough on gas, and way too long for a 7 month old baby to take that trip to & from. Please do all that you can to support our family and keep us connected during this time that ___ will be incarcerated.

Thank you so much Hotlikfyr! Very nice of you to help me. I wrote a letter but have not sent it. It seemed too long, too detailed, too much. I was struggling with my words and emotions, but wanted to get across the importance of it all. Your sample letter is great! I appreciate the time you took to help! I will re-write my letter to the Warden today! Thanks again!

I hope you can find a compassionate person in your DOC. Did ya ever read the story about the guy who had just a few months left in prison, his little girl was dying, and they wouldn't release him I believe 1 or two months early. I think by the time they decided to take him to her she had died.

The warden, or DOC in your state may have more compassion, but I fear you better not get your hopes up. The people in power for most prisons have no heart.

I really wish you luck with this. Someday they may see that promoting families to stay together is key to rehabilitation.

OMG! no...I didn't hear that story. That is horrible...That brought tears to my eyes. Maybe I should just not even try to write the warden then...I agree promoting families to stay together is the key to rehabilitation.

Well,bad news for Shawn & I. He called me collect last night to let me know he finally got his paper work back from the prison, & his counselor to be relocated to a closer prison. They told him no way, no how, do they do what they call, "Hardship" moves anymore. They used to, but no longer do. So he will be serving the rest of his sentence there in Yuma 4 hours away from his son, & I. And since the heat has not let up here in AZ, and our son has yet to be approved for visits, on top of the fact I don't have an air conditioner in my car...it seems it will be a while before Shawn gets to see & meet his son for the first time...I feel so defeated. I just want them to have a relationship. I don't want Shawn to be a stranger to his own son. Or his son to be a stranger to him! But thank you all for your help!

i believe this is the story that nowheregirl is referring to... it was posted by kristikat here's the link:

http://dailystrength.org/c/Families_of_Prisoners/forum/2698601-dying-girl-denied-time

Thanks for the link. I hadn't read that before. I don't think I was here at DS then. But thanks again...After reading that story I just cried, how wrong! That is horrible...and heartless...

I'm sorry that they wouldn't consider moving him closer. Sometimes they move people for a specific reason, medical needs or security level, things that make sense, other times its just because they can do whatever they want. I know my son got moved four hours away too and it makes it so much more difficult to visit. You never know though, even though they wouldn't transfer him because of a requst, he might just get moved closer for other reasons, they move people alot. Hope things can get a little easier for you guys.