PONTIAC Correctional Center

[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