train ticket back home

[kiannie04]

Hi, everyone..has anyone ever bought the train ticket back home for their LO? Im trying to get the train ticket from centralia to Chicago, my husband is trying to get the 410 am to get here at 930am I checked the internet for the Amtrak ticket and it cost $29, I spoke to field service and they said he has to have $54 to $82 in his account, does anyone know if they charge double for the ticket, they won't let us buy it, he gets out Nov 3, thanks...

[TimeStandsStill]

From what I've read, I don't think they release anyone that early in the morning.

[Dazzler]

Since when doesn't the IDOC take the busload of inmates to the train station and pay for their tickets home?  That's always been the custom....and it's usually after 9 a.m.   J always got in late in the evening....inmates are now having LO's buy their tickets and make arrangements?

[jdmlt]

I thought I read on a JHA report that the prisons have the petty cash account for exiting inmates transportation tickets. I also thought the inmates are brought to the closest bus/train terminals.

[rottiemama2003]

Hi, everyone..has anyone ever bought the train ticket back home for their LO? Im trying to get the train ticket from centralia to Chicago, my husband is trying to get the 410 am to get here at 930am I checked the internet for the Amtrak ticket and it cost $29, I spoke to field service and they said he has to have $54 to $82 in his account, does anyone know if they charge double for the ticket, they won't let us buy it, he gets out Nov 3, thanks...

Check with the facility... I know what has been, but may not still be... when my brother came home he had 100.00 bus ticket, nice white shirt and khaki pant and black shoes and a coat depending on the weather, but lately that is not what I am seeing, also at Graham i dont think the bus/train does not leave until late evening....4:10 in the am dont think so w Think about how many would want to be released at 12:01 am. That would be a security breach. I hope all gets l/o home safe and sound.

[kp18437]

My husband is due to be released in January.  They took $82 off his books for a bus ticket already.  Even though he told them he has a ride home.  He was told that his money would be refunded to him if I indeed did show up to get him.  He supposedly will get a check that day...  I don't really buy that part.  He gets no clothes to wear home, he can only wear what he has purchased through the state.  Sweats and stuff.
I did a little investigation into the actual cost of the ticket home.  The state has an agreement that released inmates get a discounted rate of $27 to anywhere in the state of IL, but, they have to leave from Springfield.  So, to be honest it's a worthless agreement...

[DansDad]

when my son was released he had no choice it was bus or pick up and if he had money in his account the IDOCwould take it to pay for the ticket so he pre bought the stuff he would need for the last 2 months...then the only money he had on his books was the he only state pay in recived...in the way of cloths he wore the the cloths that were stored there from when he was sent there...


Dan

[Dazzler]

Yep, that's the procedure...I never heard of a family member making train reservations and buying the ticket...The IDOC needs to know if you'll be picked up or need transportation by the day before. 

[kiannie04]

I spoke to field service and of course he acted as if I was asking him to buy the ticket out of his pocket, but he finally said that inmates are allowed to buy their ticket if they want a different hr than the usual bcuz centralia puts their inmates on the 830 am train, my husband bought his ticket to leave at 410 am, field service confirmed it but I still don't believe until I c him at the Amtrak station at 930am, however I asked a random C.O if he has seen inmates taken to the train that early and he said all the time, oh about the clothes he will come home in they get a black jogging pants, white sweatshirt, black jacket and of course the canvas  gym shoes they get there, he said he is tired of wearing black work boots bcuz that is all they could wear at centralia.

[jdmlt]

Just seeing if I understand this...we can buy a ticket & they will transport them to the place. Also they will buy a train/bus ticket for our LOs if we don't send the ticket which they charge the inmate more $ than the actual cost? Plus every place probably does it differently so all would have to call to make sure of any procedure used.

I spoke to field service and of course he acted as if I was asking him to buy the ticket out of his pocket, but he finally said that inmates are allowed to buy their ticket if they want a different hr than the usual bcuz centralia puts their inmates on the 830 am train, my husband bought his ticket to leave at 410 am, field service confirmed it but I still don't believe until I c him at the Amtrak station at 930am, however I asked a random C.O if he has seen inmates taken to the train that early and he said all the time, oh about the clothes he will come home in they get a black jogging pants, white sweatshirt, black jacket and of course the canvas  gym shoes they get there, he said he is tired of wearing black work boots bcuz that is all they could wear at centralia.

Also curious if the CO you talked to works 3rd shift to see the inmates leaving all the time for the 4:30 am train.

[TimeStandsStill]

I'm confused, too. I'm wondering if this is one of those prison specific things or is this true across the board?  I've got plenty of time to figure it all out before I really have to know....
When in doubt, call......(should be the IDOC motto)

Maybe the price is more if they are buying jogging pants, sweatshirts and jacket for them, too?

Kiannie....your husband bought the ticket?  I thought you originally posted that you were trying to buy it?  We can't send the ticket, right?

 

[kiannie04]

I was trying to buy it on line bcuz it was $29 but I called to see if it would b ok, and field service told me that we could not buy it, they would buy it a week before release and if my husband wanted a specific time other than 830am he would need to have enough in his account and would b reimbursed if he had money left, he stated that my husband would have to have between $56 to $86, I called yesterday to c if they had bought him the 410 am train, my husband just wants to get here by 930 am. They do not charge him for the clothes they get for release, he got the same clothes when released from Dixon only difference I picked him up, but I'm not driving 6hrs to get him this time, I think its best to call field service before ur inmate gets released bcuz I c every prison does things different, I spoke to my husband today and he was freaking out bcuz they haven't given him the train info, I guess they want to make them suffer up until the last minute, I will post it if they do infact release him that early when I show up at Amtrak station at 9 am.

[piirate]

I'm confused. They supply the bus ticket but they still take money for the ticket even if you pick them up. Maybe I'm misreading.

[kp18437]

It may be facility specific, but they took my husbands $82 2 weeks ago, and told him him that everyone who has enough money on the books pays up front... He doesn't even get out till the end of January. Everyone has told both of us that the money will be refunded if a ride shows up.  They told me that they'll wait 15 minutes... if I'm late, he gets on a bus...
they don't supply the ticket, they arrange for the ticket.  I would imagine they would supply the ticket if the person didn't have enough money on the books.

[jdmlt]

I'm sure glad I'm planning on picking up my son when the time comes. I only need to know the day/time & don't have to worry about the bus/train stuff.

[TimeStandsStill]

Same here...I plan on picking up my guy but I don't like the fact that they will zap somewhere between $56-$86 off of his books unnecessarily 3 months ahead of time if he has it available.  I'm guessing they do that to have all bases covered in case something were to happen and their ride can't make it for one reason or another since they can't keep them past their outdate.  But 3 months in advance?

Please keep us updated kp18437 as to whether or not they refund the money. 

[jdmlt]

When we use to have a bus service in Dixon, IL  I remember inmates sitting on the bench while the CO bought their tickets then handed the tickets to them. There was a little stir around here about the inmates being left unattended at the bus stop. City wanted a CO there until they boarded the bus. Before a decision could be made between the prison and the city, the bus quit the route. I think now, they are taken to Mendota, IL for transportation, not sure.

[kiannie04]

Finally field service confirmed my husband leaves at 410am and arrives at 9am now let's c if he really gets here at that time at union station, the train that they would have gotten at 830 was $10 more..they only take the money if inmates choose a different time other than what they usually provide which I asked they told me they take them to the train at 830 am.

[kiannie04]

    my husband called today to tell me that he was told that they would take him to the train at 230am and that he already turned in all his box, uniforms and got all his papers including the state  I'D they took from him, so I guess they do get it at whatever time if inmates pays for it it cost $44 from centralia to Chicago union station, will get here at 9am..

[blah2u]

 

[kiannie04]

Yes he got on exactly 9am a CO sat with him until he borded the train

[TimeStandsStill]

He got on the train at 9am?  I thought he was suppose to be leaving at 4:10am and arriving at Chicago Union Station at 9am?   

[rottiemama2003]

Kiannie are you nervous and excited?

[kiannie04]

Oops meant he did get in the train at 410 am, rottiemama yes I'm anxious but more about do I really want to be with him, I don't think I will ever be able to trust him again

[rottiemama2003]

That is your choice, but there was a reason for you to marry him. He did betray your trust and he lost your respect. I wish you the best in your decision. He has been thru a lot with IDOC. I understand totally mine was addicted as well.