WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SELF SURRENDERING TO PRISON
Many of my friends are self-surrenders and have encouraged me to write about the first 24 hours and what to expect. I personally had to turn myself into the marshals and that is a totally different experience that I am currently writing about to post later. I watch new people come in scared and uninformed and I think that needs to change. Although people are generally devastated upon arrival, most are shocked at how friendly everyone is and they feel it is so much better than they ever expected. Orange is the New Black seems to be the source of a lot of fear and misunderstanding for so many people. Honestly, I had picked up my expectations from watching that show. It was so far off from what it is like at Pekin, it actually made coming here that much easier. So, if you are about to self-surrender to a prison camp, the first 24 hours goes a little like what you will read below.
Make sure to call ahead of time and find out the earliest possible arrival time for the day you are going to report. Arrive as early as you can and make sure you eat before you come. The time it takes to check in will depend on what staff is here. The guard will tell you to tell your loved one’s goodbye, then you wait. One of my friends that arrived not long ago, commented about how kind everyone was while she waited. Inmates were in and out doing things for the dog program and took time out to introduce themselves and comfort her a bit. She was grateful for this interaction.
When it is time to process in, you are taken back to verify all your information, take your picture, check your property in and get your housing assignment. You can’t bring much with you. I don’t know where people get their information from, but one lady show up with her emotional support dog and others had cartons of cigarettes tucked under their arms. The family that dropped them off had to leave with the dog and the smokes. There is no smoking here, at all. If you have glasses, the frames must be plastic, and the case must be plastic. You won’t be able to get contacts here so you might as well get used to glasses. You may bring 25 pictures for your board and you may buy picture albums on commissary. Your loved ones can send in 25 pictures at a time. For some reason, people are told they can bring their medications, but that isn’t true. They will go directly to the trash. You can bring a list of medications you take from your doctor to give to medical. You may bring a contact list with names, email, numbers, and addresses. You cannot bring a bible, but you may have your loved ones send it to you. You can send 5 books at a time through the mail. Plain wedding bands can be sent in, but not worn in. You must have a bp331 package authorization form filled out before the ring is sent.
Next, you will pick out a temporary uniform, we call these “greens.” This is just a temporary outfit to wear until you get to laundry and to put on after you are stripped out. Yes, there is a strip search. There will be a female guard come in to do the search. Don’t worry, this only happens now and sometimes after visits. It isn’t nearly as big of deal as what you have in your head. Once the search is done you will either mail out the clothes and shoes you wore in or throw them away. The feds pick up the tab for mailing your items home, so that is what most people do. When I first got here, people were able to wear tennis shoes in, either black or white and under $100, not anymore. So, if someone tells you that is ok, it’s not anymore. I would be safe and wear something you don’t mind throwing away just in case the rules change.
I think it’s important for self-surrenders to know you don’t have to worry about being hand cuffed or shackled. That doesn’t happen here, unless you cause problems and go to the county jail. There is no shu (segregated housing unit) here. If you get in big enough trouble, you leave and never come back. Most people don’t want that, and I believe that keeps a lot of peace around here.
Medical and dental are the next stop. This is when you can give the nurse the list of medications your doctor provided. Please understand that you will not get your meds immediately, so don’t freak out. They will get you your necessary meds, but it will be on their time. There are a lot of medications not available here. Pain management is mostly Ibuprofen and Tylenol. This is hard for some people to get used to, but everyone seems to get through ok. This is just an initial check in and doesn’t take that much time. You will get a TB test that you must come back to have read in 48 hours.
When you are done you will be taken to laundry where you will pick out your uniform. You will receive 3 green slacks, 3 green button up shirts, brown t-shirts, socks, 2 dresses, panties, bra’s, and black steel toed boots. If it is winter you will get a green coat and grey stocking cap. You will get to try on clothes in a private bathroom, yes PRIVATE. Take your time to collect yourself and find comfortable clothes that work for you. These are men’s sizes so you may try on a few things to get it right. Don’t just settle. There are clothing exchanges if things don’t work out or you gain or lose weight. You can buy better panties and bras on commissary on your shop day if you would like. If you have much time to do, I would strongly suggest purchasing a pair of Timberland boots for $99. If you do a job that requires much walking this is necessary. After all this, you are ready to go out and see your new world.
We have two housing units referred to Kansas and Nebraska. Each housing unit has their own greeter. This person will be called to come up and get you and give you a full tour of the compound and then show you to your room. They will also eat your first meal with you, if you don’t make other plans. People are extremely friendly around here and love to include new people especially at meals, so your plans can easily change.
A lot of new arrivals are relieved to see there are private bathrooms and private showers. YES, YOU HAVE PRIVACY!!! The water is free, and the pressure is actually quite nice. There is no time limit and if one isn’t available on your alley, there are three other alleys with showers and toilets too. I have rarely had to wait for a shower or toilet. Commissary sells some great shampoos and conditioners as well as body wash, soaps, lotions, etc… Don’t worry, you must not live like a savage.
The inmates take it upon themselves to donate and create care packages for new arrivals. The package will consist of everything you need to get going. Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. They will give you a pair of shower shoes, and just in case you don’t know this, you need to ALWAYS have shoes on your feet in the shower. All that they ask is that when you get settled and get a chance, you donate back and replace the items you were given so we are never low for new arrivals. Even though pay is terrible, and some people don’t get much money, no one here goes without. The ladies here would never let that happen.
We have two or three person rooms that are more like cubicles, they are not private. You will have a Bunkie and most bunkies are more than happy to help make your bed and get you settled. Even the greeter often helps. It’s ok to let people know when you need to breathe.
You won’t be able to use the phone or email until 24 hours after you arrive. You will need to have money on your account to transfer to the phone and purchase tru links credits for the computer, put this money on your account before you get here. You will get your inmate number weeks before your arrival and at that time you can add money to your account. The inmates will help you set up the phone and register your name. This is the most frustrating thing on earth so stay calm. I pray over the phone and then it works. I had to have mine reset to help me match my name. You will be able to have video visits with your loved ones. I know this really helps us get through our weeks to see the people we love. You will send your video request 4 days in advance. Once you can get on the computer and set up your contacts and make sure you check the box for video visit, then you can send your video request. There is a you tube video with instructions of this process for your loved ones on the other end. I know this has been helpful for my family. In order to have live visits you must have your loved one fill out visiting forms and send them in to be approved. This can take several weeks so make sure you get those out right away. You loved one can also find those forms on the BOP website to print and send.
Self-surrenders are often given the advice to sit back and observe for a while and I don’t disagree but that doesn’t mean hide in your cube and under your covers. Catch your breath and cry your eyes out, everyone does this. If you want to cry alone go to the shower or bathroom or head out to the track, that is my favorite place. If you want to cry with someone, just walk down the hall. You have a bunch of moms dying to dry some tears and give hugs. I’m not even kidding or exaggerating. If you are self-surrendering here you are either “white collar” or “nonviolent drug offender.” You don’t must worry about telling people your story. You don’t must. People here are not going to be concerned with your crime.
One of my friends cried for days. She told me all she wanted to do was go home, and then she realized that is what we all want. While that doesn’t make it all better, it is comforting to be with people in the same boat. She was pleasantly surprised at the amount of freedom we have. The counts and some of the terms can be a little confusing at first, but it becomes second nature and you have a lot of people here to help.
While taking your tour, you will have a chance to stop by the library and check out a book. Most people are able to easily find a book they like. There is a pretty good selection because the ladies here are extremely generous with donating theirs when they are done. You can only check out one book in the library at a time. There is also a Christian library with a large selection of books that have also been donated and you can check out from there also. If you would like a bible while waiting for yours to arrive, you can get one here or in the chapel. There are ministries that will send beautiful bibles for free and you can get that information in the chapel.
If you get tired of reading borrow a pair of shoes and workout clothes and head to the gym. There are a variety of classes every single day and you are welcome to join on your first day. There are calendars with all the classes and event posted in the units and in the gym. I’m the wellness clerk and class coordinator and I’m always looking for people to work out with. If I am too much, there are plenty of other ladies to join for a workout. A lot of ladies consider this their “fat camp.” The transformations I have witnessed are priceless. We all encourage each other and there is no judgment. You will need to purchase a pair of gym shoes at commissary as well as shorts and sweats. Some people work out in their greens. There are plenty of people that have things you can borrow. I stay on the lookout for decent used shoes to pass out to new people and other people do too.
In conclusion, if you are about to be a self-surrender, don’t worry. The terrible things you are picturing and the scary people, are just in your head. You will meet beautiful, happy, inspiring people here. Whether you like it or not, this will be your tribe. Keep your mind and your heart open and embrace your journey. So many self-surrenders show up afraid to hang out with criminals. It takes a while sometimes to sink in, that if you are here you are now labeled a criminal, and its ok, because we are cool. Take this time to stand on your own two feet and find your talents and strength and lean on these ladies to help you.
Things that may help:
1. Make sure there is money in your account to transfer to the phone and computer and to buy commissary. You can put money on your account as soon as you receive your BOP number, which can be weeks before your arrival.
2. Bring your contact list, glasses with plastic frames and plastic case, and your list of prescriptions from your doctor.
3. Get all dental work done before you come and wean off any unnecessary meds
4. Keep an open mind, get out and check out groups, sign up for classes, try new things, find new talents, get fit! Don’t waste a minute of this time.
