Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. Unfortunately I don't have any advice because we haven't even gotten to the point of visitation (we're only on day 4 of his sentence) but I got a happy feeling in my heart when I read your post. Just wanted to say congrats!

I would contact the prison where he is staying to find out the rules (i.e. Dress code, if you can visit both days, etc, and how to set up apts).

I know in CA, we are able to visit both days.

I'm in TX and they can only have one visit per weekend so only one of the days. I agree with "thought" - call ahead and see what visitation "rules" are or look online. It would be no good to drive all that way and then not be allowed to visit - nine months is a long time!
All my best to you - give him a big hug from all of us!!

Definitely go online and pull up the handbook where he is. I knew things my son didn't know because they don't read the whole handbook. Where my son is Mon,Thur & Fri are 5-9 pm visits and every other month its either sat or sun. So you probably cannot visit both days but can incorporate a weekday & weekend together - check that out. Like this month for my son I could go Friday night and go back Saturday morning. Dress codes are pretty strict (LIKE NO WIRE IN YOUR BRA) so read up on them. And yes, brace yourself for just seeing the outside of the prison for the first time, that alone put me in tears. Take a baggie with ones & quarters for the visiting room, we are allowed to take in 40 dollars at a time. AND for god's sake don't forget your license!!
Happy visiting!

Thanks everyone! I will have my license for sure and wow, no bras with wires. I tried to find their rules online but they don't have it on there. Sooo, I will be calling. Also, unfortunately, we only get to visit once a month. And alik76, it will come before you know it. Just stay strong. :-)

Congratulations to you and your son. I finally got to visit my son recently for the first time. I think all states have different regulations and dress codes and all, so as Debbie suggested call or go online and find out what is allowed for where your son is. I was allowed to visit only 4 hours on either sat or sunday. It was so good to spend time with him and see that e is alright and keeping positive. I was expecting the prison experience to be much worse than it was. Yes, make sure you have your license that, and 30 dollars in quarters for vending machines was all I could. Enjoy your time with him.

Thank you so much Heart!

Heartbrokenparent,

Follow the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ov7k4hb

Have a wonderful visit with your son.

rewdiazepam

Okay you guys! So here is the deal. I just got off the phone with the prison in Louisiana and I spoke with someone and I only get to visit him either on Saturday or Sunday and its only for 2 hours. It will take longer just to travel to get there. And, cannot be both days. I can bring in money but no more than $20.00. No sleeveless shirts, see thru shirts (of course!), no revealing shirts, no shorts, no flip flops, no open toe shoes, but you can wear jeans. No torn clothes, etc. She rambled off so many things that I could not get them all. So this is what I am going to do. I am wearing jeans and a long sleeved up to the neck shirt with tennis shoes and bring my license and $20.00. I think that should be safe. I think it is really stupid that they do not have this information on their website. Oh, almost forgot! No weapons! Ha ha That is a given!!!! DUH!!!!

Thanks Rew!

Heartbroken,

Since you have to drive so far, I would take two or three sets of clothes and an extra pair of conservative shoes.

Then, if they get testy and say that what you are wearing is inappropriate, then you can go back out to the car and change into something else.

They are not only concerned with WHAT you wear, but also the colors.

Also, on the night before your visit or the next morning, I would call the prison and ask them if they are still having visitation. I would not want them to have a lockdown at the last minute and you not be able to visit.

rewdiazepam

Oh Wow!!! I did not know that could happen! I mean the lockdown. Ok. Thanks for the great advice as always!

BTW, the money you bring in has to be in the form of quarters for the vending machines.

What my visitors did was bring in a couple of rolls of quarters in a clear small zipper like purse. I don't know what they are called, but you ladies do. They could then see the quarters through the clear plastic and you can bring them in that way.

rewdiazepam

Contact the prison and find out their Dress code. Hours of registration and visitation.
If you are disabled ...some States and some prisons enforce Reasonable Accommodation regarding parking etc. Clarify that if there is that issue to deal with.
In NJ I have to register my walker and leg brace and get parking approval before I can visit my son.
Funny as this may sound but. ...Not only dont they check both brace and walker when I do visit but....I could smuggle anything in my false teeth and that doesn't need an RA under the law. LOL

They don't have vending machines. I asked about bringing change. She said that they have people serving the stuff. That works for me. As far as the small zipper purse, we call it a change purse. And thanks again!