Jewelry Allowed in IDOC?

[Solana]

Does anyone know who to talk to regarding purchasing jewelry for a man at Stateville?
What are the requirements? What's the process?
Thanks so much - I'm a newbie to this site.

[Dazzler]

Others have more knowledge about this but I'll answer what I think the rules are....by jewelry I hope you mean a chain and religious medallion or cross...that's all that is allowed, besides a wedding ring.  I believe it mustn't cost more than $50...which is totally absurd...I think some prisons require a copy of the receipt also.....

If you send any jewelry to your inmate make sure you have it insured....as some has 'disappeared' in transit....

Hope this holds you until others weigh in on the subject with more details...

My outmate just added that it must be a plain wedding band...no stones.

[blsgrl1231]

Daz is right... a chain and religious medallion are all that's allowed and cannot cost anymore than $50.00. There are ways around that though. The receipt must accompany the item when you send it. And yes, do insure it, without a doubt. Now, when we got married at Vienna, I brought his ring with me and no receipt was necessary. It had to go to through property after we married, so he didn't have it for about three weeks, but that was all it took. Hope this helps.

[Solana]

Thanks girls.

[Dazzler]

I forgot to mention that when sending in a wedding band you may have to show your marriage certificate for it to be accepted.

[Solana]

Anyone know who to call at Stateville to ask?
 ././/

[jewels]

I should imagine if you asked the chaplain he could tell you about the wedding ring, other than that his counsellor or the supervisor in the mail room.

[Solana]

Thanks all - but it's not a wedding ring. I wanted to get a chain and a medal. I talked to property and they gave me some info.
 ././/

[JJL]

 123123
I am sooooooooooo ********. The wedding band I sent Jo WITH A RECEIPT and WITH A PICTURE of what I sent, was sent back. (STATEVILLE) It was sent back with the yellow slip that had jewelry circled as not being allowed. WHY IS THAT? I thought anything was allowed under $50. They make me so ****ing sick!

[Scout]

Is it a plain wedding band, no jewels, no inscriptions??

[jewels]

I think you will find that rings are an exception and only allowed under what they call contract. If you contact his chaplain, he could probably receive it and give it to J for you . If it was an actual wedding then it would be allowed via the chaplain. Everything has changed so much, which is why I suggested earlier that you contact the chaplain. It has to go through personal property anyway and be recorded.

[JJL]

Well damn! I'll do that I guess. (Maybe it was another sign. )
But it was a plain band....nothing on it....very simple!

[paula]

I just sent my husband a chain and medallion. It had to be 22 inches or less and the medallion has to be 2 inches in diameter or less. I'm still waiting to find out if they will accept it or send it back. It is a pretty nice one, but I couldn't find any plain ones. So i'm on pins and needles playing the waiting game once more. 9112

[Freedomsmom]

Okay, I can't find the thread on sending wedding rings so I am just going to post my questions here. How do I package the ring to send it? I know we can't send padded envelopes, right? So, how do I send it in? Also, James said that his counselor told him to have me send a copy of our wedding certificate in with it.

[blsgrl1231]

Freedomsmom-

You need to send the ring in the box in an envelope. Be sure to send the receipt and your marriage certificate.

blsgrl

[Freedomsmom]

Thanks!

[shy4u64]

I called Dwight, about wedding rings, and they said, as long as you bring with you upon arrival, your marriage lic., you will be allowed to keep you wedding ring with you upon entry.  If not, it will be taken for a week or two, until property puts it on your property list.  And it must be (Plain) no diamonds, or no design.  Just thought some of you would like to know.  God Bless you all.

[MrsHonniB]

Does anyone know the link to Bennett-brothers company. My man asked me to check it out for some jewelry he noticed in the catalog,but I can't find the right link???

[irish45mj]

Here it is MrsHonniB

http://www.bennettbrothers.com/

My aunt worked there for 40 years!  Their jewelry, especially diamonds, is wonderful.

[MrsHonniB]

  Irish!
Yes,I do love their jewelry too,and much cheaper than overhere too! Just noticed a pair of georgeous golden earrings with a pearl and a diamond,really nice!!

[downtownchicago]

How do you get a Bennett Bros. paper catalog ?  I can't find any way to trigger one to be sent.  My guy had asked for one more than a year ago and I couldn't see how to send one and figured they only have an online catalog.

[irish45mj]

DTC, I'd call and ask them how to get it.  I always just asked my aunt for one, and she brought it home.  Here's their telephone number:  800.868.9132

[jeminirose62]

OK, I bought my son a religious medalion on a 22" stainless steel chain, They don't tarnish, they are more durable, and IF it is stolen or taken from him it didn't cost a fortune.  I was able to catch a great deal on it at Wall Mart.  They have their jewelry marked down for the holidays. 

My question is should I send it to the Chaplin or directly to my son?  Are the Chaplin's of the Catholic faith?  I wanted to have it blessed before he receives it but I might have to take it to a priest here before send.  Also does anyone know how long it takes for our LO to receive their jewelery? 

[Missplaymate618]

I was just wondering if I could send my man a dog tag are those allowed, he's in Western by the way if that makes any difference, any info would be great! Thanks :)

[Favored23]

I don't think those dog tags are acceptable.  I think they only accept crosses.  But you can call the institution and find out to be on the safe side.

[Jims]

Jewelry has to be of a religious nature and there are size constraints as well as a $50 limit. That automatically excludes gold, unless it's just gold-dipped. I look around at all the inmates wearing jewelry and the vast majority of them are wearing gold, and I'm guessing they cost a lot more than $50. Heck, the cheapest of the cheapest gold chains alone cost more than that! That's another thing. The chains can't be longer than 22 inches, I believe. Do check with the institution.

BTW, I sent J a St. Christopher's medallion which technically did cost $50 because it was a beautiful, hand-made piece and, well, I did some bartering. But hey, the receipt said $50. It is a high quality silver from England and he said not a day goes by that someone doesn't offer to buy it from him for big bucks. (He'd never consider selling it, but a note of caution: it is a seg-time offense for inmates to buy or trade items).

[Missplaymate618]

Thanks so much for the info.  I will get him a cross if he doesn't already have one. And have the receipt say 50.00 on it.

[Guest]

I don't recall this being on any previous post...
I was wondering if we could send them rosaries??

[sweetness]

What jewerlly can you send to Menard?

[Forevermah]

I don't recall this being on any previous post...
I was wondering if we could send them rosaries??

Yes, I know my son could have one, but you better call the mail room at the prison he is at and ask first ...

What jewerlly can you send to Menard?

I think Jims answered that  a few posts above.

[Missplaymate618]

i didnt see this posted anywhere but I am sending my guy a cross. He is in seg until the end of the month should I wait to send it to him or will they stilll give him the necklace since he is in seg? Thanks in advance

[Sharon]

I know you are all talking about inmates having jewelry, but has anyone ever been a visitor and had to have their rings, earings, necklaces removed.  When I visited Shawnee I had to remove a ring from my right hand as it was not a wedding band.  Well, I can tell you that the ring had been on my finger for many, many years and of course I am fatter now than when I put it on.  (just a plain band).  They forced me to remove it with a bit of soap (hard soap not liquid) and it hurt like crazy.  I had travelled 6+ hours to get there so was not going to just go back.  I still have a dent in my finger from the ring and it has been off for at least 2 years.
To really make me mad, when I did get in to visit there was a lady visiting who was wearing her weding ring and engagement ring with a rather large stone in it.  I asked her how she was able to be wearing them.  She said it was because it was a matched pair of wedding bands.  But I was only allowed the one ring and no earings and no necklace.  I was worried the whole visit that they would be missing from my car when I got back - but it was ok, they were there.
It is so nice to be able to tell these stories - I have noone else to tell.
Thank you

[merino2]

Hill is the same thing my husband had a warrent out for late court fines of 50.00 and its been a while and he is still a blue id in hill and they were suposed to change it but still havent how long does it take?

i didnt see this posted anywhere but I am sending my guy a cross. He is in seg until the end of the month should I wait to send it to him or will they stilll give him the necklace since he is in seg? Thanks in advance

my husband wants his neckless and weading ring how do u send it if i dont have the reciepts?

[merino2]

What do u do when the jewelry is his stuff before he went in and u don't have the receipts any more my husband wants his chain and wedding ring but no receipt. Hes in hill d

[kate102518]

I called BMR to ask about a piece of jewelry that I didn't have the receipt for.  The man there told me that if I didn't have the receipt it shouldn't be a problem, as long as the jewelry wasn't really fancy and had no stones on it.  I would call Hill and ask them for information about that specific facility because IDOC isn't exactly known for being consistent . 

[kidz ladii]

If you are looking to purchase a chain it must have a religious charm/medallion/pendant to accompany it. I believe they say $50 because if it gets lost or stolen that's all they can reimburse you for. So I beleive you are ALLOWED to buy a $300 set, but if it comes up missing or stolen all that the inmate will be reimbursed is $50. I'm not sure how that works though considering that they could maybe have somebody else hold it for them and then claim the $50.. but there has to be a way that they would find out.

[Dazzler]

Actually they don't want it worth more than $50, probably so it can't be used for trafficking.  Most prisons require a receipt to be sent in with the chain.  A $300 dollar chain would be quite obvious and probably returned, or stolen from the mail.

[kidz ladii]

That's weird. I know that there are inmates that have chains worth more than that. I've seen them at visit! They must be getting them in somehow. I have no idea how though. My man told me a diff story.

[Dazzler]

Maybe the chains aren't real...nothing says it's has to be gold...I guess if you want to try to get a $300 chain through, go for it...but what does anyone need something that expensive?

[irish45mj]

I'd think twice about sending anything really expensive into a prison, that's for sure.   

[kidz ladii]

I don't understand who they have to impress in there in the first place . I'd rather have $300 on my books than on my neck if I was locked up .

[irish45mj]

That too, kidz!   

[Lissa]

For them to have a wedding band do they have to be married.

[Dazzler]

Is this a question Lissa?  Yes, they must be married to receive the wedding band and they may ask for a copy of the marriage certificate.

[chantygirl]

That's weird. I know that there are inmates that have chains worth more than that. I've seen them at visit! They must be getting them in somehow. I have no idea how though. My man told me a diff story.

They are anodized titanium or stainless steel.. i work at a factory that does the process.  The gold really looks like gold when its done, the only difference is of course that it's not gold, and it doesn't wear over time like gold plated jewelry does (won't turn you green).  Now, i'm not sure where you can buy it (the factory doesn't do it for retail, we do orthopaedics, aluminum, and car parts), but i know it's out there, because it's on eBay!

[Mrsgreene]

well im finding it almost impossible to find a plain gold band for $50...my husband can only wear gold. does anybody know of anywhere to look?

[chantygirl]

well im finding it almost impossible to find a plain gold band for $50...my husband can only wear gold. does anybody know of anywhere to look?

This may sound crazy.. but, go to a pawn shop.. you get a receipt for a purchase and you could probably get one there for 50 or under.

[Mrsgreene]

really? my experiences with pawn shops in the past they were so over priced...i guess it wont hurt to try. thanks!

[jenplus2]

Have u tried places like Walmart for a plain, 10K gold band? It doesn't have to be huge or thick to do the job.

[mellaout]

Does anyone know if a rosary can be sent?

[lurios2]

As long as its under $50.

[Ira]

Just called Taylorville and asked how to send a cross necklace. Apparently he has to get an approval from the warden and a chaplain first. It could take up to several weeks. "great"!!!!  I will tell my husband tonight to file a request....

[lurios2]

Just called Taylorville and asked how to send a cross necklace. Apparently he has to get an approval from the warden and a chaplain first. It could take up to several weeks. "great"!!!!  I will tell my husband tonight to file a request....

An approval to even get it sent in? I thought the approval was just when the chain is there, then they have to approve the chain. That does take several weeks. I'm sending his in tomorrow and picking up the one he has (it broke) when I go see him this month.

[Ira]

Yes, the lady told me not to send it in because if they do not have an approval from the warden, they are going to send it back automatically.

[mellaout]

Eesh, hopefully that doesn't include Statesville too cause I sent mine off, I had called to see if I needed a receipt to go with it and they didn't say anything about that, just a yes it can be sent.

[lurios2]

Man, that sucks Ira. I hope you get approved! mellaout, they are going to send it back since it doesn't have the receipt in it. I sent my J his first chain when he was in Stateville and the receipt is required. Sorry 

[pats]

We ordered a gold celtic cross and had it sent to Menard.  As long as it is religious and $50 or under, it is accepted.  You have it shipped right from the mail order company.  It must include a receipt. There is a certain length the chain had to be, I think no longer than 24".  I am not sure about rosary.  He should probably ask before you order one.  I have seen many guys with crosses on. 

[lurios2]

It doesn't have to be from a mail order company. As long as you send the receipt in with it and it's $50 or less and religious, he'll get it. The first chain I got my J was from a pawn shop, the second from a mall.

[mellaout]

Just a little update on the rosary, i sent it with a receipt (4got to mention that) w/ one of those confirmation slips from the post office. So it was received on Aug. 10th & he still hasn't gotten it yet! I did call &  the counselor said i could send it so i did. Now i spoke with the chaplain, he says IA still hasn't approved it yet. Ok i guess i kinda get it (kinda not really) but as i am speaking to him i say he's a christian, yeah ok now he says well he has to be catholic to get it. but i come back and said i looked it up on line and Christians can pray the rosary &  i printed the prayers for Christians (they substitute passages from the bible in certain places). He told me if IA approves it he will too. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed & will keep you all posted.

[Marks_guy]

I've posted this several times before, but I'll say it again just because it has become an issue for mellaout.

For an inmate to receive a religious icon, the religion most closely associated with that icon must be what they listed in their file. Otherwise it becomes an issue with getting approval.

For example, M and I have different faiths. I cannot send him an icon from my religion because it is not the one he has listed in his file.

[Ira]

I don't know how my husband put it on his file, I'm sure he doesn't even know hot it is spelled correctly, so he probably just said Christian, if they asked... I will try to send him an icon and see what happens.

[jenplus2]

This is just my own curiosity, but why would you go to the trouble (and expense) to send him a Rosary if it's not his religion & he's not religious?

[mellaout]

Well let me 1st say that i really did not think it would be all this difficult. He wore a rosary when he was out, we are both latinos &  even though he is a christian,  we were raised catholic.  I also figured it would not hurt to pray the rosary as it is used as a form of meditation.  I did look it up and all faiths can use the rosary to pray for meditation.  I just wanted him to keep the faith and it would be something a little different in his daily routine. The prayers i found were Ecumenical rosary prayers that substitute some of the catholic prayers with passeges from the bible. I saw no controversy with this as i believe we all need faith &  prayer, and why not send my love the rosary to help him through this hard time as I'm sure he needs it more now.

[mellaout]

Oh i did forget to mention he is religious, he reads the bible, and knows more about it than i do and i go to church all the time. We just normally got to different churches.

[Ira]

Catholics are Christians too, aren't they? They do believe in Christ, therefore they are Christians.
Just a little off-topic.

[Marks_guy]

Catholics are Christians too, aren't they? They do believe in Christ, therefore they are Christians.
Just a little off-topic.

You'd think it would be that easy, but, then again, we are talking about the IDOC. 

I think it is wonderful that mellaout took the time to find prayers that could be done with a rosary. Every little bit helps our loved ones. The problem, like I said before, is that the rosary is most often associated with Catholocism, and, evidentally, that is not what he listed on his file.

I have a beautiful pendant that a Buddhist friend gave me. It symoblizes peace and serenity (and we all know inmates could use more of that). I'd love to send it to M, but he is listed as Christian, and it would most likely be rejected.

[Forevermah]

My son is not Catholic, nor did he put that on his profile when he first went into IDOC and I sent him a rosary, because he asked for one and also a friend that did not know he had one sent him one, so he had two.   

Ira, you are correct, Catholics are Christians too, so are many other religions.  This is from wikpedia on Christian denominations:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations

 Again there is nothing consistent with IDOC, this may all depend on the prison he is in, but I am hoping Mellaout, your LO will get the rosary with no problems.

[jenplus2]

Mell, I apologize. I misread this post. I "originally" thought it was more for your benefit & he wasn't religous. Again, I'm sorry. Anytime we can bring faith into our LOs lives, it's a wonderful thing. God bless. :~)

[Ira]

My post was addressed to mellaout, who was opposing Catholics and Christians, which makes no sense.
Me and my husband belong to Russian Orthodox church, which is one of two main Christian branches (which are Catholicism and Orthodoxy).

[mellaout]

Sorry for the confusion, i was not opposing catholics & christians, i know that it basically is all christian faith with some differences. I just did not think the rosary would be such a huge thing to get approved nor did i know that inmates religious beliefs were noted in their files. I just wanted to give him something else to pray with as i know their lives tend to have the same routines. If you gotta pace why not pace &  pray right.

[mellaout]

UPDATE! so i just got a letter from my love dated the 8th and whoohoo!! He got the rosary with the prayers. He was happy to get them. I'm happy too, it took almost a month but they finally approved it at statesville, i guess it was all worth it. I believe that praying helped push it through too. Just goes to show you if you believe good things can happen.

[TimeStandsStill]

That's great!  Glad he received everything....

[Ira]

I am so glad it worked out!!!

[myluvisinIL]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the site and after reading the posts I think I understand the rules about the receipt being needed, the $50 "limit" and the length of the chain, but I have a question on the cross I wanted to buy my LO. Is the 2" rule from the top of the cross or the top of the loop that the chain runs through?

Thanks in advance for your help;I'm sure I'll need more of it.   :)

[lovinhim11]

It probably would be in your best interest to call the facility they are all different.