PONTIAC Correctional Center

[Dazzler]

These are photos of Pontiac Correctional Center (nicknamed "Thunderdome"):

[Peanuts]

Pontiac Correctional Center  
Randy Pfister, Warden  

Facility Data

Pontiac Correctional Center
 Opened: June 1871
 *Operational Capacity: 2,152
 Maximum Security Adult Male
 *Population Pontiac Correctional Center: 1,219
 *Population Pontiac Medium Security Unit: 491
 *Total Current Population: 1,710
 Average Age: 37
 FY2010 Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $31,712.00
 
*As of 11/30/2011. Reflects bed space capacity analysis as outlined in the January 1, 2012 Quarterly Report to the Legislature.
  
 Pontiac Correctional Center is the parent institution for Pontiac Medium Security Unit

Visiting Hours

  

IDOC Visitation Rules and Information
 
Visitors to any correctional facility will be required to produce photo identification and verification of date of birth. Please be sure to bring 2 forms of identification with you; these would include a current photo ID such as a driver’s license, a state ID card, government ID card, military ID/driver’s license, or acceptable documentation of non-U.S. citizenship including a current Passport, or Visa, documentation must contain the visitor’s date of birth. Expired forms of identification will not be accepted. Visitors will also be required to provide vehicle information and other pertinent data, such as government identification, official credentials, attorney registration, and or law student certification.
 
The visiting days for offenders in Segregation and Protective Custody/Segregation Release alternate monthly between even days and odd days. Therefore, individuals planning to visit the facility should call the facility prior to traveling to the Pontiac to ensure that the date on which they intend to visit is an authorized visiting day for the offender. Monthly visiting schedules are also available at the gatehouse.

Administrative Detention Re-entry Management Program (ADRMP) offender visitors may visit on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm, with a two (2) hour duration per visit.  Visits for these offenders must first be reviewed and approved by the facility’s Intelligence Unit with the request being received at the facility five (5) days prior to the requested visit date.

Attorney request for a private interview room must be submitted and approved in advance by the Record Office.
 
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Call ahead to ensure authorized visiting day. Visitors must arrive by 1:30 p.m. to be processed.

Facility Address

Physical Address:
 700 West Lincoln Street
 Pontiac, IL 61764
 
Business Mail:
P.O. Box 99
 Pontiac, IL 61764
 
Inmate Mail:
Inmate Name & IDOC#
 P.O. Box 99
 Pontiac, IL 61764
 
Phone: (815) 842-2816
 Fax: (815) 842-3420


Facility Information

The mission of the Pontiac Correctional Center is to protect the general public through incarceration, supervision, programs and services designated to return offenders to the community with the skills to be useful and productive citizens.
 
The facility consists of a total of 63 buildings, which comprise of more than 744,000 square feet. The facility sits on a 37-acre site, with 32 acres being enclosed by fencing. Pontiac Correctional Center houses the following offenders: segregation, protective custody, mental health, administrative detention reintegration management and medium security.


http://www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/pontiaccorrectionalcenter.aspx



 
   

[jewels]

People visiting Pontiac will need 50cents for their lockers. You also need to check on what dates you can visit depending on what unit he is in. Like one month you can visit on even dates 5 times and next month it is on odd dates! There are no food facilities within the prison.Only in the waiting area.However there are water fountains around. Better than nothing I suppose!
If you travel more than 300 miles you may request extended time visits from the present warden.
The prison address is 700 West Lincoln Street.  PO Box 99, Pontiac, Illinois 61764.              Tel : 815-842-2816.


Motels are :-  Fiesta Tel: 815-844-7103  This is cheap cheerful. Very very basic, but generally clean and within walking distance of the prison.

Super 8 Motel Tel: 815-844-6888 Little more than Fiesta. Would need a car to get to the prison. No sidewalks except after you get way past the Fiesta.

Comfort Inn.Tel: 815-842-2777. About the same as Super 8

Holiday Inn Tel; 815-844-444.  Quite expensive.

There are quite a few food places that deliver to these motels, good taxi service also. Some good restaurants,plus all the usual, like Kentucky, Pizza etc. Stores include KMart, Walmart and there is a small selection of shops in town.Plus the postoffice and all the usual services, including a food market.

It is 2 hours from O'Hare airport and you can either hire a car, use the bus, train or hire a taxi service.
Please ask if you need any help.


               

[Dazzler]

Female visitors are limited to the wearing of: one ring, one bracelet, one watch and one pair of earrings.  No more.  Gatehouse staff has always been pleasant and it's never taken longer than 10 minutes to get into visiting, on weekdays.  I don't know about weekends, it may be more crowded.
The prison is located on the edge of town in a tree-lined residential neighborhood.   It's a formidable looking prison, one of Illinois' oldest....and loudest...hence it's nickname THUNDERDOME.  I knew someone who served two years in Pontiac and he said the nickname came from that movie...hmmm...can't remember the name...

[DELGGIRL]

 Can anyone tell me what the visiting room looks like at Pontiac? Are they tables like Stateville and Menards, the steel kind that are mounted to the floor? And can anyone tell me anything on how the seg visits work also?

[Scout]

All visits at Pontiac are non-contact.  If he's not in seg, you get a brief hug and kiss before and after the visit, otherwise you are separated by glass.  It is set up in a long row with small dividers between visiting booths.  Seg and PC (the only classification at Pontiac) have a rotating schedule, one day seg visits, next day PC visits.  There are no vending machines either.

[DELGGIRL]

Are you kidding me, and they don't have vending machines either? But if he isn't in seg and it's a regular visit does anyone know how long is the visit 2 hrs or less and is their set up still the same? How is the visiting room?

[Scout]

The visiting room is the same for seg and PC, one long row of behind the glass visits.  I'm not sure how long the visits are, but if they're like the other max joints, I imagine 2 hours. 

[DELGGIRL]

Thanks a bunch scout0323, I guess I will have to just go and see how the visit is. :)

[Sister]

Hope you enjoy your visit, Delggirl.......... :)

[kah2006]

I don't know how long seg visits are, but PC visits are 4 hours. PC visiting days are even days this month, (i.e. 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) and will switch to odd days for November. The staff at Pontiac are some of the friendliest I've ever dealt with. Have a wonderful visit!! &*&

[jewels]

No vending machines, 4 hour visits and you do get to hug and kiss both before the visit and after. but only for PC not for seg. The staff are really friendly.
Are you visiting for Death Row? In there they have tables where you sit one side and the inmate sits the other. They also have family visit tables. The tables never used to be secured to the floor. All visits, whever ever they are, are watched with ceiling cameras. Your progress through the prison is also watched by camera.They used to have cards and dominoes in there, along with pencils and paper, but they don't have the pencils anymore. Don't know if they still have the cards etc. They do have a small bookcase of bibles covering about every religion. You will also need 50cents for the locker and you are allowed just one necklace, one bracelet and earings, unless that has changed too.
Have a lovely visit.!

[Dazzler]

Visiting at Pontiac is actually one of the better experiences in the IDOC...they have a very cordial staff.  The visiting room is located directly behind the gatehouse (see Pontiac Photos in our Gallery).  There is a ramp that goes outside between the two buildings.  The staff bring the inmate to visiting very promptly as there are few visitors usually.  Jewels is right you are only allowed one ring, one bracelet, one pair of earrings, one watch, and one necklace if you wear jewelry.  Lockers are available or you may lock your items in your car.  The vending machines in the gatehouse are labeled for Staff Only....you can't even buy yourself a soda while waiting or leaving...

Pontiac is in the middle of a residential area...it's beautiful there this time of year as it's surrounded by tree-lined streets....

Unfortunately the inmates are shackled at the wrists and these are secured to an iron ring on the floor during visits...SEG inmates anyway....

[jewels]

PC isn't shackled.
There are lots of water fountains around and one right by the bathroom if you need a drink during the visit. It has always seemed the best place to visit if you are visiting an inmate. There are vending machines in the waiting room, once you go up the ramp and on the left, but you cannot take anything in with you, so you have you buy and drink fast if you have to wait, just incase they come for you. Weekends it is best to get there before 9 as the bus from chicago comes in and then it gets busy.
Medical bracelets don't count as your bracelet usually, but a watch does, or used to.

[Scout]

Jewels, are you saying you can bring money in and use it in the vending machines in the waiting room...I never knew that.

[jewels]

Used to be able to bring the correct amount in to use. Used to. But then ofcourse you needed to know exact amount to bring in!! They used to do coke and sprite I think it was. It was in the waiting area on the left after you walked up that slope and went throught the double doors.You couldn't ever take what you go in with you, so I never bothered, but lots of people did. I hear you have to wait in there now untill they call you for your visit when they are busy.

[kah2006]

You cannot take any money in with you and you cannot use the machines in the waiting room. They are for staff only and only take debit cards now. Yes, you have to wait in the waiting room until they call you for your visit, but they are pretty prompt about it.

[jewels]

Apparently there are no deathrow visits like there used to be, in the separate room. They all are the ones behind glass now.
That is unfair that those machines are just for staff. The staff have their canteen to go and get whatever they need!

[Lissa]

Can 2 people visit at one time or do we split the time? How long is the visit for PC? How many days a month?

[Scout]

PC visits at Pontiac are rotated with seg visits.  One month PC will be on the even days, the next the odd.  Two people can visit at the same time and I imagine the hours and number of visits are standard, 2 hours and 5 a month.  Someone from Pontiac will need to confirm that though.

If you're planning on visiting, call first to see what days the PC visits are scheduled for.

[Lissa]

I just called Pontiac so listen up fellow Pontiac family members LOL the days for visiting in June is odd days. Visits run from 2-4 hours depending on how busy and the guard I talked to was extremely nice. He even told me to call and make sure he can have visits before leaving.

[Dazzler]

LOL..well Lissa thanks for the tip..however, they alternate days at Pontiac depending on what division you are in....SEG is one day and other units are the next day....they are both alternated...and it doesn't go by the month....it goes by every other day....so depending on the number of days in a month this can change from evens to odds....just a tip.  Also watch the jewelery...only one of everything..except earrings.  You should your visits pleasant at Pontiac...they seem to have an entirely different class of staff there....

[Lissa]

I dont wear any jewelry so I am good in that department and I wear sports bras so I am good in that department. The only jewerly I will ever wear is a ring from him if we ever decide to get married since he has been married 2 times and me once. Thanx for the tip I will be sure to call on the week I am going to find out what is up

[jelene]

Pontiac has a level 3 med. security on the other side of the building.  Does anyone have any info. on this and who gets to go there.  What are the policies and procedures there?

[ani]

I went to Pontiac this week and received the next months visiting calender if anyone is interested. I can post it on here as well if that is helpful to anyone.

Seems they are going to be open past the 5th of January after all, and they are waiting for the ceiling at Thomson to get fixed, before sending any inmates to the new place, but they had visits allowed thru the 3rd week into January at Pontiac. Just incase it's an FYI from an Officer at Pontiac!

[lachapiz]

anyone has an idea of the chances os pontiac staying open now that Blago is out of the picture? and what are the chances of them gettin in transfers there?

[Scout]

I guess I'm back to visiting here, my husband was just transferred.  Does anyone know off hand if there's a limit on weekend visits (per month)?

[Dazzler]

I don't know Scout, but I remember that visiting was every other day.  I thought only one could be on a weekend.  And jewelry is limited to one of each thing, except earrings.  One watch, one bracelet, one necklace, one ring.  No food machines.  The ones in the Visiting shack are only for Staff.

[Scout]

I know that they're every other day and I called and got that schedule, but I am at work and don't like to make that real obvious.  I have a bit before I'll be visiting anyway, I'm sure the answer will crop up or he may even know himself when I next talk to him.

[MrsHonniB]

They just allow visits every other day.......even when one visits from overseas,like me, they won't change their scedule.
I'll be there in October and starting November again!
But I don't think there are limits on weekendvisits a month.

[kah2006]

Yes, there is a limit on weekend visits...only 2 per month.

[MrsHonniB]

Aah!! Kah you know better of course.......I never have more that 2 a month anyway!
 

[KSwife]

Scout I hope this is a positive thing your Husband was transferred...

[Scout]

It's turning out to be positive, I had panicked originally because his codefendant is there and he had him listed as an enemy.  We went through this three times already.  The first time they transferred him there, he was there only a couple of days and they sent him back to Stateville.  I had actually gone to visit him, was sitting in the waiting room waiting to go in, when they called me to the bars and said he was on the bus!  The second time he was only there a few hours.  Setting aside the lousy visits though, Pontiac is so much better than anywhere else and I talked to him last night and he just sounds so much better.  He said the food is great, he gets regular yard (5x a week) and 3 showers...he's actually in heaven.  He said it's like going from the Bates Motel to the Hilton, lol.  I don't think it will be an issue this time with his codefendant because my H said that he'll lose his job if he claims him as an enemy and I don't think he wants to lose his job.  My H sent a message to him when he first got there and told him he has no issues with him, doesn't want any problems, etc., so we'll see.

[Dazzler]

Wow, I'm glad to hear he's getting much better food.  J always said the meals at Pontiac were very good...and I thought maybe he was just hungry...but most of the inmates in Pontiac are in SEG and can't buy food from commissary so I guess they have to feed them better.    Now why can one prison do this with their dietary and others serve awful tasting, scant meals?  I don't understand it, unless the money is going into someone's pocket...

[Scout]

Good question!  He said all the prisons should be run like Pontiac.  At Stateville he got his breakfast at 3 AM, lunch at 9 AM and dinner was sometime around noonish.  Here his meals are on a normal schedule with breakfast being at 6 AM.  That's delivered to the cellhouse and he said it's actually coming HOT...they had oatmeal yesterday and he said it was steaming and good and not some cold lump like they would receive at Stateville.  He said all the meals are good, well portioned, well balanced and hot.  He also said they get more than the 10 minutes in the chowhall that he was getting at Stateville.  His first trip to the chowhall he snarfed down his food in under 10 minutes only to find that he had to sit there for another 20 and watch everyone else eat, lol. 

He's happy...I'm happy...the only issue right now is he has until the 11th to file something with the courts and he needs to file an extension as he doesn't have his property yet.  When I called the appellate court, they were absolutely useless, if he needs an extension HE has to file it and he has to provide 8 copies.  It was like "what part of he doesn't have his property, legal work, ANYTHING.... and he doesn't know when he's going to get it"...didn't you get???  Geez....

We've worked it out though and he's going to dictate it to me over the phone, but I was seriously annoyed at the person I spoke with at the clerk's office.

[KSwife]

His first trip to the chowhall he snarfed down his food in under 10 minutes only to find that he had to sit there for another 20 and watch everyone else eat, lol. 

   I'm glad to hear the food seems to be great at Pontiac, Menard needs to follow suit. K has been wanting to transfer, but has been told he has to have less than 25 years on his sentence before he can. It's a long time before we reach that so not sure what else we can do.

[Scout]

Unfortunately, unless K is in PC, his only choices (if he's over 20 years to serve - not 25) - is Menard or Stateville, both of which have sunk so low in inmate treatment, they'll probably never find their way back out.

[KSwife]

Thanks Scout! It seems he will be at horrible Menard for awhile unless something goes our way on his case.

[preshustwo]

Well my fiancee' just got transferred not planned from Lawrence to Pontiac, which sounds like a better deal, and so much closer, could someone fill me in on a few things like can you visit if they are in seg and what are the hours, are there vending machines , how's the staff etc, I so love this website you can find out so much  Thank you all

[jcocroft]

They can have visits while in seg. they are 1 hour and behind glass. They have an every other day schedule that changes monthly so you need to call to find out if it is pcs or segs day. There are no vending machines but the staff is very friendly. If your lo is in seg then like I said the visits are only an hour and they are shackeled at the hands and feet during the entire visit. You can not hug or kiss them!

[MrsHonniB]

Segregation has visits on the odd days in September and October,even days in November and December.

[Scout]

Does anyone know how many weekend visits a PC inmate gets?  I had seen it mentioned here as two, but in the visiting room, the rules are posted, and it reads three.  It also said that there is no time limit unless it gets busy, but here I read 4 hours.  I know the rules in the visiting room are four years old....so I'm not sure if they're accurate.

[kah2006]

The rules that are posted in the waiting room are old and not accurate anymore. Now, they only allow two weekend visits per month and they will tell you it's time to leave after 4 hours. With no food or drinks, and that god-awful little stool the inmates have to sit on, that's usually more than enough time. 

[Scout]

Thanks kah, I was curious...I was there yesterday and left on my own after 3 hours, so I wasn't sure.

[preshustwo]

The information posted is really helpful, thanks to a great communication with this website, Does anyone know how the phone call system works in Pontiac? How often can they call, ect?  Thanx

[kah2006]

Well, they can call from yard if they are in PC. I think they go three days per week. Also, the phones are out on the galleries from 3:30 to 9:30 each evening.

[MrsHonniB]

Well I just got my aproval-letter from the new warden for 7 extended visits and I know for sure my man will sit on that "god-awful little stool" with a big smile on his face for 7 days and we'll not even notice it's from 8-2.30 with no food and only a sip of water......must be love :wc3:hahaha!!!!

[Scout]

LOL, yeah, my husband also.  He'd stand on his head during the entire visit if that were his only option, and love every minute of it. :)

[tina]

 Can anyone tell me any updated info on Pontiac, I am looking to find out, if inmates on Death Row get contact visits or are all visits the same now regardless, and I also heard that when  Death Row inmates  first arrive there, they cannot get a T.V. for 4 years, can anyone tell if those are true ?

[Munchkin]

Can anyone tell me what the visiting rules are for seg is at Pontiac? I plan to go visit there and was wondering what they were as I am disabled. Thank you for your help.

[kah2006]

Visits are only every other day as they have to alternate between Seg and PC. Seg visits are even days this month....2nd, 4th, 6th, etc. Seg visits are only for 1 hour. Visiting hours begin at 8:00 am and end at 2:30 pm. If it's your first visit to the facility, there is paperwork you will have to fill out, so give yourself plenty of time. The staff at Pontiac are all pretty pleasant, so you shouldn't have any problems. Have a good visit!

[Dazzler]

If I remember correctly, even while visiting in SEG you are only allowed one piece of each type of jewelery, except earrings.  You may wear one bracelet, one necklace, one watch and one ring and one pair of earrings.  Very odd.  There are no refreshments for either visitor or inmate. Even the vending machines in the gatehouse are for staff only.  Other than those restrictions Pontiac is a pleasant visiting experiences.  The staff is quite friendly and there's hardly ever a wait to see your inmate.  However, just know that he'll be shackled and chained to a loop on the floor and behind glass.  If it's still allowed you may give him a hug and quick kiss before and after the visit.  You shouldn't have any trouble being disabled.  There is a ramp from the gatehouse the the visitor's room and it's very close.

[Mrs. G]

 

My b/f just got transferred from Pville to Pontiac (not seg) and I wanted to know if anyone was on here has a loved one in Pontiac I believe it's the farm b'cuz he is not there for doing any seg time. I just wanted some basic information if anyone has any updated information. I have been there before to visit but it was due to a Seg situation I heard that there is another part to Pontiac and it's different regarding hours of visits etc. Just wondering if anyone had any updated information. Thanks!

[robin in ohio]

Ya I do...my Uncle just got moved there and he's in P.C. the visits are behind glass and it's every other day that he can have a visit...he can have 5 visits a month 3 on weekends...visits are 4hrs. with NO snacks or drink.

[MrsHonniB]

This month PC visits are on even days!

[Mrs. G]

robin in ohio & MrsHonniB ...
Thanks but he is in the Medium Section of the jail he is not in PC either. But I am sure that information can help someone here in the long run.  

[nothavingfun]

My husband is on the farm.  I have been there twice.  The guards are really nice.  You go to the back of the prison to visit.  They have a nice visiting room with vending machines, cards, board games and books for the kids.  You are allowed to hug at the beginning and the end of the visit.  There is like no wait time.  You can visit any day, up to 3 people, up to 6 times a month, which only 4 can be weekends.  You can map the address and get an aerial view that will give you an idea of what the farm looks like.  Its kinda funny, you're like driving thru a neighborhood and then all of a sudden there's a prison.

[Mrs. G]

Great!! Thank you so much nothavingfun ....

One more question:
Is the  enterance to get registered (checked, and signed in)  in for the farm the same building you would enter if he was in seg?

[nothavingfun]

No, when looking at the front of the main prison, take a left to the stop sign, then a right, then the next entrance on the right.  You will have driven around the main prison to the back.   Some times there has been a guard at the gate to "shake down" the car, some times not.  Be sure to park where it is posted visitor parking to avoid any problems.  Again, check out the aerial view on mapquest and you will see the farm.  it is like 5 little buildings that look like an "x".

[Mrs. G]

   Thank You again.. you have helped tremendously.

My bf called me today and told me the transferred ran smoothly and everything is going well for him just that he wants his fan ... lol apparently he still is awaiting for his property. But he said they dont work anymore on the farm like before that it's considered more of a holding place. Idk  but I cant wait to see him!~!

[Forever and a Day]

Ok, I have a question.  My husband is in Stateville and he has heard so many times in the past month or two that there are two houses at Pontiac that are maximum security with general population, not behind glass visits.  I'm not talking about Seg or PC.  He insists that he has been told that there is regular visiting now in those two particular houses.  I haven't heard anything.  Does anyone know anything about this?  He has also heard that Stateville will be closing, but that rumor I know has been going on for years.  Anything new on that?

[Mrs. G]

Pontiac aside from Seg and Pc.. has a MSU- Medium Security Unit, yes they do have regular visiting there, try looking on the this thread:

http://www.illinoisprisontalk.org/index.php/topic,18039.0.html

[MissAndrea]

So my ex was tranferred to Pontiac July 27th. He was in Menard, but did something (in the visiting room) and is now there. I've been trying to find updated info about the facility, but am not finding much.

So basically, for him to be transferred to Pontiac, he's going to be in the hole for a period of time?  How often do those in the hole have access to phones? And are visits through glass? I read somewhere that they are handcuffed and or shackled during visits, is this true?

[Forevermah]

So my ex was tranferred to Pontiac July 27th. He was in Menard, but did something (in the visiting room) and is now there. I've been trying to find updated info about the facility, but am not finding much.

So basically, for him to be transferred to Pontiac, he's going to be in the hole for a period of time?  How often do those in the hole have access to phones? And are visits through glass? I read somewhere that they are handcuffed and or shackled during visits, is this true?

All SEG visits in Pontiac are behind glass and inmates are shackled and hooked to a loop in the floor.  Some have said you get a kiss and hug before and after the visit, but not sure if they still allow this.

You also have to watch how much jewelry you wear on the visit, they only allow like a pair of earrings, one ring, one necklace.  While in SEG, they can receive mail, but they are not allowed any phones calls.

I would suggest calling to find out the exact days you are allowed to visit SEG before you go and it is different each week/month.

[MissAndrea]

Thanks for the info.

But I'm curious. If visits are behind glass, how are a kiss and hug going to take place?

[TimeStandsStill]

I'm curious about something....If Menard and Pontiac are both Level 1 Max's what is the purpose of transferring?  Is Pontiac considered worse?  At least at Pontiac they don't seem to have as many lockdowns as Menard. 

[Forevermah]

Pontiac is segregation, condemned protective custody, mental health, administrative detention reintegration management and medium security and it used to be all Death Row inmates who were in a whole separate section of the prison.  Inmates transferred there have to fall in one the above categories, it's not like Menard with General Population inmates.

MissAndrea, I have seen it at the prison I visited, inmates brought in were allowed the hug and kiss before being put in their little section behind glass and after when they were taken back, but no contact during the visit.  Since I have never visited Pontiac and like I said don't know if they do it anymore, I'll let someone else answer that, probably RT if and when he logs in.

[Cummins]

MissAndrea,  My loved one is at Pontiac, and they don't have many lockdowns.  He is in Segregation and I will say the Officers, Ext at Pontiac are very, very nice and very, very respectful to me, and I was terrified when he was moved there, but it has actually been a blessing.  The visits are behind a glass, and they are brought in and feet are shackled and hands and they set them down, and call you in for the visit after they are in the room.  You get an hour visit and I don't get to hug my loved one before or after the visit, but I read the info. in the waiting room, and they have differerent levels of Segregation, and from what I can tell, some are allowed to hug before and after the visit.  I usually get a little longer than an hour to visit, they are very friendly there, and I can't say that enough.  From the moment I walk in, and sign in and lock up my belongings to the time I am called in for my visit, to when I leave.  He will step down to a lower security prison, after his Segregation is over, and we look forward to that, and regular visits, but while in Seg, he gets to make no phone calls.  He gets to shop 1 time a month, but he tells me he usually gets to shop 2.  He says the food is much better at Pontiac, and the portions are good.  His counselor is very, very nice to me, and that was also a nice change.  The mail takes awhile to get going at first, but it does go fairly well.  While in Seg, you check each month and you can visit on "Odd" days or "even" days, and for August it is "Even".  In our case, I get to visit 2 x's a month and we work that every other week, so 12 to 14 days inbetween.  I'm trying to tell you all I can, so forgive me if I am rattling!!!  When you visit, you can take the 5 things, books, newspapers,magazines, etc, and he will get those delivered that same day, unless it is on a weekend.  I go weekdays, less people, and more chance for a little longer visit.  If you visit on the weekend, he won't get whatever you deliver until Monday.  Mail is delivered there Monday thru Friday, none on Saturday.  Whatever is there, gets delivered on Monday, and in my loved ones case, he knows it's coming, and more on Mondays sometimes!  I hope this info helps and for what its worth, they are very considerate and respectiful there at Pontiac and I appreciate that.  They don't treat me like I've done something wrong, as I was treated at the other facilitiy!  If you have any questions, ask away!

[Cummins]

I need to add, take .50 cents to 1.00 in quarters in with you, it takes .50 to lock up your keys and receipt for whatever you drop off and your liscense, etc. and take extra .50 in case you lose .50 in the lockers!  Have them help you with those, I still lose .50 now and then!  Others were correct in telling you that one pair of matching earrings, 1 ring, can be a wedding band, and 1 necklace.  That's all I wanted to add.  I also believe the time to be there if you are going to visit is by 1:00.  Check on that to be sure!  I'm always there before that!

[MissAndrea]

Thanks so much for all the info, Cummins! So do those in SEG still receive 5 visits per month?

And TSS, my ex was transferred to Pontiac because of something he did during a visit at Menard a month ago. I'm sure he'll be in SEG for a while.

[Cummins]

MissAndrea,  I'm sorry to say, but as far as I can tell and have heard, the inmates in Seg only get 2 visits a month, but it could be different and you could call and ask them at Pontiac.  To be safe, and best on you, I would plan and try to adjust to the idea of 2 visits a month only, and yes it is hard to do after being used to 5 visitis a month, but I would suggest adjusting yourself to the thought of only 2 a month, and if you get more, then I would be happy for you.  I'll check on the site later this afternoon, and tonight, if you have any more questions.  The guards and all are better to my loved one at Pontiac than where he was, and he is safe, although he is sheltered and in his cell for most of the time.  He now gets to go out 2 x's a week in a caged area outside.  At first he got to go out 1 time a week and he gets a shower only 1 time a week, and that was an adjustment for him and for me to think about too.  I'm just trying to get you ready for what he will be telling you in letters.  It does take awhile for them to get their belongings and that depends on what they have done and all, but he will write you as soon as he can, I'm sure of that, so I am thinking of both of you!

[Sunidaze67]

Cummins
I can take books and magazines to my husband in seg and he'll actually get them??  Just making sure before I do it because where he was before wouldn't give them to him while in seg. 
Thanks
Suni

[Cummins]

Sunidaze67, hope you got my message, and sorry I did not get this.  Hope you delivered books and magazines, because he gets them the same day you visit him, IF that day is a weekday.  If it is on the weekend, then he gets it the next weekday (unless it is a Holiday) and then they may have to wait till the next day.  Five items can be delivered.  My son always lets me know what he would like, and usually tells me if I want to surprise him, to go ahead!  Hope your visit went well!

[Sunidaze67]

Okay, I am so sorry.  I posted this today in the Pontiac chat and meant to post it here.  I'm lost.  I guess I was just so dang excited I wanted to tell everyone. 

 :wc6:He got moved out of seg 3 days early due to holiday and weekend.    I was so excited.  I went to see him on Saturday (last seg visit) and was told he was moved to seg release already.  Wasted a trip, but I don't care.  He's out of seg.  So, I asked about the visiting routine.  I went back on Sunday and got a total of 4 hours with him, behind glass, but again,  I was just ecstatic to be with him and not have to watch the clock.     As for my birthday present...YES I got a hug and kiss at the end of he visit.      Those in seg release get 5 visits a month, no more than 3 weekends/holidays, 4 hour visits, and can hug and kiss their loved ones at the end of the visit. 

I won't get to see him on my birthday since he is being transferred Wednesday, but I'm going tomorrow for another hug and kiss.   

Hope this helps those who have a loved one in seg at Pontiac. 

Have a great day.

Suni
 











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[chippyn]

hi everyone, quick questions. ok i thought that seg inmates were only allowed 2 visitors at a time, but on 2 occasions now ive seen other seg inmates have visits with 3 adults at the same time. i was confused. are 2 or 3 people allowed to visit a seg inmate at once? thank you and i greatly appreciate it