My son was sent to prison three weeks ago tomorrow. He is three hours away from me now.
I went to visit the first weekend, I was not on the visitors list (yet) but was on the pre-sentence report and since I'm his mother was told I could visit. The following Sunday I made the trip again (we had a wonderful visit and my son started opening up to me about a lot of different things.) My son has Asperger's, he has the mind of a 12 year old (which is documented by a Psychologist) he loves routines and loves all holidays. He does not make friends easily.
With this being his first holiday away from his family, I thought I would make a weekend out of it. I drove down yesterday morning, again we had a good visit, I booked a hotel room (which set me back $125.00) I go to prison this morning, with the hopes of brightening his mood and.......they wouldn't let me in!!
Again, since his visitors list STILL hasn't been approved, I was told by the duty officer, I couldn't visit today and that my first three visits were "courtesy visits." I am devastated!!
My son called to find out where I was, I told him they would not let me in today and he started crying. This just broke my heart. Yes, he is 26 years old and took responsibility for his actions but how can you put a mentally disabled person with the mind-set of a 12 year old in prison and then deny him his family??
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OMG!!! I'm so sorry to hear that... The system really sucks. I'm so glad you friend me. I'm need to this as Well and so far people/members has been very supportive and understanding. We got your back.
Kathy, I am so sorry. It is hard for us all, you are not alone. You are in my prayers.
Oh gosh... Took us over four months to get approved for visits then calls took another month.. there were no courtesy visits. System is inconsistent at best. Hope that happens for you soon!
Thank you Ramona! I thought the visits would have been approved already. Why let me visit three other times and not today?? If the first three were considered "courtesy visits" why didn't they say that three is the limit?? My son is in a federal facility.
Thanks for the advice, I will start calling every time I plan on visiting.